SECTION .0300 ‑ LICENSING OF GEOLOGISTS

21 NCAC 21 .0301             REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSING

(a)  Education. In determining whether an applicant meets the education requirements of the Geologists Licensing Act, the Board shall accept transcripts from colleges and universities that are accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. An applicant shall have:

(1)           graduated from an accredited college or university and have a degree with a major in geology, engineering geology or geological engineering, or related geological science; or

(2)           completed 30 hours of geological study or the equivalent in geological science courses leading to a major in geology, of which at least 24 hours of the equivalent shall have been upper-level undergraduate courses or graduate courses in areas such as geology, geophysics, geochemistry, oceanography, paleontology, hydrology, soil science, economic geology, and engineering geology.

(b)  References. Five letters of reference submitted to the Board which shall satisfy the Board as to the character, reputation, responsibility, integrity and competence of the applicant. These letters of reference must be submitted by licensed geologists or engineers. No member of the Board shall act as a reference for any applicant for licensing. At least two of the five letters of reference must be submitted by licensed geologists who are familiar with the applicant's work in the field of geology.

(c)  Written Examination. Except as provided in Paragraph (e) of this Rule, applicants shall pass the written examination administered by the Board in conjunction with the National Association of State Boards of Geology (A.S.B.O.G.). The applicant shall be notified, not less than 30 days before the examination, of the time and place of the examination. An applicant having a record of three failures shall not be allowed to take that examination again until the applicant makes a written appeal to the Board and the Board confirms the applicant is qualified for examination pursuant to the rules in this Section. The applicant shall demonstrate to the Board that actions have been taken to improve the applicant's possibility of passing the exam, such as taking additional classes or gaining additional experience in the field.

(d)  Experience. In determining whether an applicant meets the experience requirements of the Geologists Licensing Act, the Board shall consider the total work experience record of the applicant. The Board shall look for the applicant's ability to conduct geological work in a satisfactory manner with little or no supervision.

(e)  Certificate by comity. The Board shall grant a license without further examination to a person who has been licensed by another jurisdiction to engage in the practice of geology when the applicant meets the following conditions:

(1)           the applicant has filed an application for license and paid the fee required by Rule .0107 of this Chapter;

(2)           the applicant has provided evidence of education and experience equal to the requirements of Paragraphs (a), (b), and (d) of this Rule as indicated in Rule .0302 of this Section;

(3)           the applicant is in good standing with the agency regulating the practice of geology in any jurisdiction in which the applicant holds a license to practice geology; and

(4)           the applicant has successfully passed a written examination equivalent to the examination required by the Board pursuant to G.S. 89E-9 and Paragraph (c) of this Rule.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 89E-7; 89E-8; 89E-9; 89E-11;

Eff. February 1, 1986;

Amended Eff. April 1, 2003; April 1, 1990; April 1, 1989;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. December 16, 2014;

Amended Eff. June 1, 2017.