In chs. GHSS 1 to 5:

1. (1) “Asynchronous” means a process of learning where instructor-student interaction is delayed over time, allowing the learners to participate intermittently according to their schedule and be geographically separate from the instructor, and includes correspondence courses, e-learning, instructional television, or online courses.
2. (2) “Biennium” means a 2-year period beginning August 1 of each even-numbered year.
3. (3) “Board” or “joint board” means the examining board of professional geologists, hydrologists, and soil scientists.
4. (4) “Contact hour” means 50 minutes of instruction or participation spent by the registrant in actual attendance or completion of an approved educational activity.
5. (5) “Continuing education” means professional educational courses, programs, or activities on topics related to the practice or theories of practice of a professional geologist, hydrologist, or soil scientist which foster the enhancement of general or specialized knowledge, values, and practice of a professional geologist, hydrologist, or soil scientist.
6. (6) “Course” or “activity” means any qualifying course, program, or activity with a clear purpose and objective that will maintain, improve, or expand the skills and knowledge relevant to the licensee’s practice of professional geology, hydrology, or soil science.
7. (7) “Department” means the department of safety and professional services.

8. (8) “Extreme hardship” means an inability to devote sufficient hours to fulfilling the continuing education requirements during the applicable renewal period because of one of the following:

   1. (a) Full-time or temporary active duty in the uniformed services of the United States of America for a period of time exceeding 120 consecutive days during a biennium, where the duty restricts participation in a continuing education program.
   2. (b) An incapacitating medical illness or disability documented by a statement from a licensed health care provider which shows that participation in the active practice of professional geology, hydrology, or soil science and a continuing education program is not possible.
   3. (c) A physical inability to travel to the sites of approved programs documented by a licensed physician.
   4. (d) Retirement from the occupation of professional geology, hydrology, or soil science whereby the renewal applicant no longer receives remuneration from providing professional geologic, hydrologic, or soil science services.
   5. (e) Any other extenuating circumstances approved by the board or section of the board.
9. (9) “Licensee” means a person licensed as a professional geologist, professional hydrologist, or professional soil scientist.
10. (10) “Professional organization or society” means an organization or society that seeks to further the practice of professional geology, hydrology, or soil science, and the interests of licensees engaged in that profession.
11. (11) “Section of the board” means either the professional geologist section, the professional hydrologist section, or the professional soil scientist section.
12. (12) “Synchronous” means a process of learning where the student and instructor interact simultaneously in real-time, including traditional classroom events, computer conferencing, interactive video conferences, or online communications where participants are logged on at the same time and communicate directly with each other.

History

History: Cr. Register, December, 1999, No. 528, eff. 1-1-00; correction in (2) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register January 2012 No. 673; CR 24-078: r. and recr. Register August 2025 No. 836, eff. 9-1-25; correction in (1) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register August 2025 No. 836.