Wyo. Code R. 084-0001-1
Geologists, Board of Professional
Effective Date: 11/05/2012 to 11/16/2015
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 084.0001.1.11052012
Section 1. Authority. The Wyoming Board of Professional Geologists, hereinafter called the 'Board', is created by the Wyoming Geologists Practice Act, W.S. 33-41-101 through 33-41-121. Pursuant to W.S. 33-41-106(a), the Board shall from time to time adopt rules and regulations, consistent with the laws of the State of Wyoming, which the Board deems necessary for the performance of its duties.
Section 2. Definitions. The definitions set out in W.S. 33-41-101 through 33-41-121 apply to these rules and regulations. In addition, the following definitions of terms shall apply:
(a) 'The Act' refers to the Wyoming Geologists Practice Act, W.S. 33-41-101 through 33-41-121.
(b) 'Bachelors degree in geology' means a degree granted by an accredited institution of higher learning approved by the Board following completion of a four (4) year undergraduate curriculum with a major in geology that includes a minimum of thirty (30) semester or forty-five (45) quarter hours in geology course work. At least twenty-four (24) of the semester hours or thirty-six (36) of the quarter hours in geology should be in at least five (5) of the following subject areas:
(i) Economic geology, engineering geology, environmental geology, field geology, geochemistry, geomorphology, geophysics, hydrogeology, mineralogy, paleontology, petrology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, or structural geology.
(c) 'Board' means the Wyoming Board of Professional Geologists within the department of administration and information.
(d) 'Certification' includes the Board's process of granting, denying, renewing, revoking, or suspending certification as a geologist-in-training.
(e) 'Good professional character and repute' means that an applicant for licensure or certification:
(i) Has not been convicted of a felony within five (5) years of applying for licensure;
(ii) Has not been convicted of any crime which discredits the profession of geology within five (5) years of applying for licensure;
(iii) Is not currently incarcerated in a penal institution;
(iv) Has not engaged in fraud or misrepresentation in connection with his or her application or related examination;
(v) If previously licensed as a professional geologist or certified as a geologist-in-training in Wyoming, another state, or foreign country, has not had that license or certification canceled, revoked, suspended, or not renewed for cause within five (5) years of applying for licensure;
(vi) Has not falsely claimed to be a licensed professional geologist or a certified geologist-in-training in Wyoming, another state, or foreign country within five (5) years of applying for licensure or certification; or,
(vii) Has not engaged in other misconduct.
(f) 'Expired license' means a license which has not been renewed before midnight on its date of expiration.
(g) 'Incompetence' means to lack the professional qualifications, experience, or education to undertake a professional geologic engagement or assignment.
(h) 'License' refers to the Board's document of authorization to use the title of 'professional geologist', pursuant to the Act.
(i) 'Licensee' means an individual who has been granted a license to practice geology with the title of 'professional geologist', pursuant to the Act.
(j) 'Licensure' includes the Board's process of granting, denying, renewing, revoking, or suspending of a license.
(k) 'Negligence' means a substantial deviation in professional practice from the standards of professional practice exercised by members of the geologic profession, or a substantial deviation from any technical standards issued by a nationally and/or state-recognized professional organization comprised of members of the geologic profession, or a substantial deviation from requirements contained in state laws, Board regulations, and local ordinances or regulations related to the practice of geology.
(l) 'Other misconduct' means:
(i) An adverse civil adjudication involving dishonesty, gross negligence, or incompetence related to the practice of geology;
(ii) Knowingly acting, or failing to act, in violation of any provisions of the Act or rules of the Board; any Federal or state law or regulation; or any local ordinance, regulation, or code related to the practice of geology; or
(iii) Use of false or misleading advertising and/or other deceptive practices.
(m) 'Professional reference' means a reference provided by a professional geologist or qualified geologist as defined by W.S. 33-41-102(a)(ix), or (x), or other professional who has similar experience, education, and professional character and repute in a related field.
(n) 'Responsible charge' means having full personal responsibility for the correctness and completeness of the geological work product, or portion thereof, sealed, signed and dated by the licensee.
(o) 'Retired' status means a licensee who:
(i) Is no longer engaged in the practice of geology before the public as defined in W.S. §33-41-102(a)(viii); and
(ii) has maintained an active license for a minimum of ten (10) years.
(p) 'Specialty' means any sub-discipline of geology which has been recognized by the Board for the purpose of specialty licensure.
(q) 'Thorough technical review' means that the work product has received a thorough technical review and has been critically examined and evaluated for compliance with appropriate professional and scientific standards by a licensee, and the licensee accepts responsibility for the work product.
(r) 'Trainee' means an individual who has been certified as a geologist-in-training, pursuant to the Act.