(a)

1. (1) Applicants for soil classifier-in-training who have completed an approved soils curriculum are not required to have experience.

2. (2) Applicants for soil classifier-in-training who have completed an unapproved soils curriculum are required to have one (1) year of:

   1. (A) Soil survey field mapping experience in the National Cooperative Soil Survey Program; or
   2. (B)

(i) Soil survey field mapping, site evaluation, and description writing experience under the supervision of a registered professional soil classifier as defined in subsection (b) of this section.

1. (ii) The definition of supervision for the purposes of this part shall mean direct on-site observation of and participation in all training exercises, unless otherwise approved by the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.

(b)

1. (1) The experience requirement for registration as a soil classifier for applicants holding a valid soil classifier-in-training certificate consists of one (1) year of:

   1. (A) Soil survey field mapping experience in the National Cooperative Soil Survey Program; or
   2. (B) Soil survey field mapping, site evaluation, and description writing experience under the supervision of a registered professional soil classifier and a demonstrated ability to be independently productive.

2. (2) Each soil classifier-in-training not receiving his or her experience in the National Cooperative Soil Survey Program must:

   1. (A) Prepare a training plan with his or her supervisor; and

   2. (B)

      1. (i) Submit it to the commission for approval prior to the beginning of the training period.
      2. (ii) At the end of the training period, the supervisor must submit to the commission signed documentation to support completion of the approved training plan including, but not limited to, training dates, training locations, and description of training.
      3. (iii) The supervisor must also submit a signed letter to the commission stating that the training is complete and the trainee has received sufficient experience to apply for registration as a soil classifier.
      4. (c) The requirement for a person not holding a soil classifier-in-training certificate consists of:
3. (1) Two (2) years of soil survey field mapping experience in the National Cooperative Soil Survey Program; and
4. (2) A demonstrated ability to be independently productive.