1. (1) Initial applicability. Continuing education requirements will begin in the renewal period that starts on August 1, 2026, and ends on August 1, 2028, as specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a) 63u., Stats. Renewal applications due on August 1, 2028 will require continuing education.
2. (2) General requirements. Except as outlined in sub. (3) or (6), or if granted a waiver under s. GHSS 2.13, every licensee shall complete at least 24 hours of approved contact hours each biennium. The contact hours shall be pertinent to the practice of professional geology, which may include scientific, technical, ethical, or relevant managerial content. A minimum of 1 of the total 24 continuing education contact hours shall be for recordkeeping, under s. GHSS 2.12.
3. (3) New licensees. Between the date of initial licensure and the following renewal date specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a) 63u., Stats., a new licensee shall not be required to comply with the continuing education requirements. A new licensee is required to comply with continuing education requirements beginning in the licensee’s first full biennium.

4. (4) Content of continuing education. During each biennial renewal period, each licensee shall complete a minimum of 4 of the total 24 continuing education contact hours in each of the following categories:

   1. (a) Courses or activities in which the licensee practices.
   2. (b) Courses or activities in the area of professional conduct and ethics, which may include the area of Wisconsin statutes and rules that regulate professional geologists.

5. (5) Types of courses and activities. Continuing education credit may be obtained from any of the following courses or activities that are offered by acceptable sponsors or providers under s. GHSS 2.10 (2):

   1. (a) Successful completion of geology-related courses, presented by correspondence, internet, television, or video, and ending with examination or other verification processes. These may earn a varying number of contact hours depending on the course duration and course content.
   2. (b) Successful completion of a college or university course in the area of geology or ethics.
   3. (c) Successful completion of professional geology courses or activities offering contact hours on geologic topics.
   4. (d) Active participation and successful completion of professional geology programs, seminars, tutorials, workshops, short courses, or in-house courses.
   5. (e) Attending presentations at related technical or professional meetings at which at least 50 minutes is spent discussing professional geology issues, or attending a lecture on geology related issues, or both.
   6. (f) Teaching courses, activities, or programs on a professional geology topic. Teaching credit is counted for teaching a course or seminar for the first time only and does not apply to faculty in the performance of their regularly assigned duties. Two contact hours will be awarded for every 50 minutes of teaching.
   7. (g) Authoring professional geology related papers, articles, or geographical maps that appear in circulated journals, trade magazines, or in published geology textbooks. Credit is earned in the biennium of publication. A maximum of 16 contact hours per renewal period shall be awarded for this activity.
   8. (h) Field trips organized and run by professional or technical societies or in conjunction with meetings, conventions, or conferences. These shall be awarded one contact hour for every 50 minutes of duration, up to 8 contact hours per day.
6. (6) Carryover allowed. Continuing education hours earned in excess of the minimum requirements for renewal of a license may be carried forward to the next renewal period but are limited to a maximum of 12 contact hours.

History

History: CR 24-078: cr. Register August 2025 No. 836, eff. 9-1-25.