Wyo. Code R. 084-0001-3
Geologists, Board of Professional
Chapter 3: Licensure Provisions
Effective Date: 11/05/2012 to 11/16/2015
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 084.0001.3.11052012
(a) For the following items, the maximum chargeable fees are:
| (i) | Certification application as a Geologist-in-training not to exceed . . . . . | $75 |
|---|---|---|
| (ii) | Licensure application as a Professional Geologist not to exceed . . . . . | $150 |
| (iii) | Specialty Licensure application, if offered, not to exceed . . . . . | $150 |
| (iv) | Annual renewal for certification as a Geologist-in-training not to exceed . . . . . | $50 |
| (v) | Annual renewal for licensure as a Professional Geologist not to exceed . . . . . | $100 |
| (vi) | Annual renewal for Retired Professional Geologist not to exceed . . . . . | $50 |
| (vii) | Re-activation of a Professional Geologist License from retired status not to exceed . . . . . | $100 |
| (viii) | Examination for Geologist-in-training status not to exceed . . . . . | $350 |
| (ix) | Examination for Professional Geologist status not to exceed . . . . . | $350 |
| (x) | Specialty examination, if offered, not to exceed . . . . . | $350 |
| (xi) | Reexamination . . . . . | same as examination |
| (xii) | Replacement certificate not to exceed . . . . . | $50 |
(b) The fees charged for items listed in (a) shall be reaffirmed or adjusted annually to ensure that, to the extent practicable, the total revenue generated from the fees collected approximates the direct and indirect costs of administering the regulatory provisions of the Wyoming Geologists Practice Act. Adjustments to charged fees shall be set by action of the Board at a regular meeting, and fees for the items in (a) shall not exceed the maximum fees stated therein.
(a) If a trainee's certification has been expired for less than ninety (90) calendar days, the trainee may reinstate the certification by paying the unpaid annual renewal fee plus one-half (1/2) of the certification application fee.
(b) If a trainee's certification has been expired for longer than ninety (90) calendar days, but less than two (2) years, the trainee may reinstate the certification by paying the unpaid annual renewal fee plus a fee that is equal to the certification application fee.
(c) If a professional geologist's license has been expired for less than ninety (90) calendar days, the licensee may reinstate the license by paying the unpaid annual renewal fee plus one-half (1/2) of the professional geologist licensure application fee, the combination of which shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00).
(d) If a professional geologist's license has been expired for longer than ninety (90) calendar days, but less than two (2) years, the licensee may reinstate the license by paying a fee of one hundred fifty ($150.00).
(e) If an individual's license or certification has been expired for two (2) years or longer, the individual may not reinstate the license or certification. The individual may apply for a new license or certification by complying with the requirements and procedures for licensure that are in effect at the time of re-application.
(f) Late fees for a retired professional geologist's status are the same as those for a professional geologist's license specified in subsections (c), (d), and (e) above.
(a) The Board or its designee(s) shall notify each trainee, licensee, and retired licensee of the date of expiration of his or her certification or license. Such notice shall also:
(i) State the fee that shall be required for renewal of his or her certification or license for one (1) year;
(ii) Be mailed at least forty-five (45) calendar days in advance of the date of expiration of said certification or license; and
(iii) Be mailed to the last address that a trainee, licensee, or retired licensee provided to the Board.
(b) A trainee, a licensee, or a retired licensee may renew an unexpired certification or license by prepaying the required annual renewal fee.
(c) The Board may adopt a system under which geologist-in-training certifications, professional geologist licenses, and/or retired professional geologist licenses expire on various dates during the year. The dates for renewal shall be adjusted accordingly.
(d) Licenses and certifications expire at midnight on their date of expiration.
(e) Failure to receive the notice described in Section 3(a) of this chapter shall not relieve a trainee, a licensee, or a retired licensee of the responsibility for renewing his or her certification or license before it expires.
(f) It is the responsibility of each trainee, licensee, or retired licensee to promptly notify the Board in writing of any change in home address, business affiliation, preferred mailing, and e-mail addresses. This notice may be sent by mail, facsimile, or e-mail.
(a) Applicants for licensure as a professional geologist shall complete application forms prescribed by the Board, which shall contain statements made under oath that demonstrate the applicant has met all the general requirements for licensure as defined in W.S. 33-41-111, except (a) (iii). In addition, the applicants shall:
(i) Include the appropriate fee(s) along with the application;
(ii) Provide the names and addresses of not less than three (3) professional references as defined by Chapter 1, Section 2(m) of these rules, who are not relatives or are not subordinate employees of the applicant and who can attest to the applicant's professional character and repute as defined in Chapter 1 Section 2(e) of these rules. Two (2) or more of the professional references shall be professional geologists or qualified geologists having personal knowledge of the applicant's geologic work experience. No more than one (1) reference can be from the same company or the same division of an agency. No more than one (1) reference can be from a co-worker. One (1) reference must be from a supervisor or client. If an applicant cannot provide these three (3) references, he or she shall provide a written and signed explanation. Based on the applicant's explanation, the Board may prescribe alternatives to these requirements;
(iii) Arrange to have the registrars of colleges, universities, or other educational institutions send official or certified transcripts of course work, grades, and degrees directly to the Board;
(iv) Summarize all geological and related professional work experience and provide the names and addresses of supervisors or, in the case of consulting work, clients. If an applicant cannot provide the name and address of at least one (1) supervisor or client, an applicant shall provide a written and signed explanation and the name and address of one (1) additional professional reference as defined by Chapter I, Section 2(k) of the rules. This additional professional reference shall not be a relative or subordinate employee of the applicant; and
(v) Be hereby apprised that the submittal of an application authorizes the Board to investigate or to have investigated any or all of the statements or information provided on or appended to the application.
(b) Applicants for licensure as a professional geologist shall mail professional references forms to the individuals named in their application. Individuals providing these professional references must return the completed forms or requests directly to the Board.
(c) Criteria the Board considers in determining what geologic work experience shall be credited toward the accumulation of the required four (4) years of professional practice in geologic work include, but are not limited to:
(i) Each full-time month of geologic experience of a character acceptable to the Board, which was carried out for a client or under the direct supervision of 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, shall count as one (1) month of professional practice of geologic work;
(ii) Part-time geologic work experience meeting the criteria in Section 4(c)(i) of this chapter shall be prorated in one-quarter (1/4) of a month increments; and
(iii) The Board shall not accept any experience gained prior to an applicant's meeting the definition of a geologist in W.S. 33-41-102(a)(iv).
(d) The Board shall evaluate all applications for licensure as a professional geologist, but not until an application is filled out in its entirety, signed by the applicant, properly notarized, and appended with official or certified transcripts, the required number and type of professional references, proof of lawful presence in the United States, and the required fee(s).
(e) When the Board is satisfied that an application is complete and in the proper form and that the applicant is eligible in all other aspects to be licensed, it shall certify the applicant as eligible to take the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) and the Practice of Geology (PG) examinations, or, if exempt from examination, pursuant to W.S. 33-41-111(b), W.S. 33-41-118(a), or W.S. 33-41-118(b), as eligible for licensure.
(f) If for any reason the Board is not satisfied that an applicant is eligible in all respects for examination or licensure as required by W.S. 33-41-101 through 33-41-121 or the rules of the Board, it may deny the individual's application or it may require additional data concerning the applicant's education, experience, and/or professional character and repute. The Board may also require an applicant to submit to an additional examination if the applicant has not furnished satisfactory evidence of his or her qualifications for licensure.
(g) The Board requires an applicant for licensure as a professional geologist to have passed both the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) and the Practice of Geology (PG) examinations, unless the applicant is exempt from examination, pursuant to W.S. 33-41-111(b), W.S. 33-41-118(a), or W.S. 33-41-118(b).
(h) If an applicant does not submit a complete application within six (6) months from the date of seeking licensure, his or her application may be cancelled without prejudice.
(i) A geologist-in-training may not apply for licensure as a professional geologist until the required four (4) years of professional practice in geologic work has been completed.
(a) Applicants for certification as a geologist-in-training shall complete application forms prescribed by the Board, which shall contain statements made under oath that demonstrate the applicant has met the general requirements for certification as defined in W.S. 33-41-112, except (a)(ii). In addition, the applicant shall:
(i) Include the appropriate fee(s) along with the application;
(ii) Arrange to have the registrars of colleges, universities, or other educational institutions send official or certified transcripts of course work, grades, and degrees directly to the Board;
(A) Transcripts must show satisfactory completion of at least twenty-four (24) semester or thirty-six (36) quarter hours from 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 (iii) Provide proof of lawful presence in the United States; and
(iv) Be hereby apprised that the submittal of an application authorizes the Board to investigate or to have investigated any or all of the statements or information provided on or appended to the application.
(b) An applicant for certification as a geologist-in-training may be permitted to take the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) examination within the final year of an appropriate, accredited, bachelor's degree program if he or she has completed or is registered for at least twenty-four (24) semester or thirty-six (36) quarter hours from 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) When the Board is satisfied that an application is complete and in the proper form and that the applicant is eligible in all other aspects to be certified, it shall certify the applicant as eligible to take the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) examination, or, if exempt from examination pursuant to W.S. 33-41-112(b), as eligible for certification.
(d) If for any reason the Board is not satisfied that an applicant is eligible in all respects for examination or certification as required by W.S. 33-41-101 through 33-41-121 or the rules of this Board, it may deny the individual's application or it may require additional data concerning the applicant's qualifications for certification
(e) The Board shall require an applicant for certification as a geologist-in-training to have passed the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) examination, unless the applicant is exempt from examination, pursuant to W.S. 33-41-112(b).
(f) If an applicant does not complete an application within twelve (12) months from the date of seeking certification, his or her application may be cancelled without prejudice.
(g) Geologists, who are certified as geologists-in-training in Wyoming, may use 'G.I.T.' or 'Geologist-in-training' as a title after their name, providing these designations are not used in conjunction with their file number or preceded by the word 'licensed' or any other words that might lead someone to believe they are licensed as a professional geologist.
(h) If a geologist-in-training changes his or her name, they shall notify the Board in writing. This notification should be made within thirty (30) calendar days of the name change and should include a statement explaining the reason for the name change and a copy of the legal documents effecting the change.
(a) The Fundamentals of Geology (FG) examination and the Practice of Geology (PG) examination will be given at times and places determined by the Board. Completed application forms for professional geologist licensure or geologist-in-training certification must be filed with the Board at least ninety (90) calendar days prior to examination dates.
(b) If the Board has not approved an application by the cutoff date for an examination, the application will be processed for the next Board examination.
(c) When an applicant has paid the proper fee, but is unable to take the scheduled examination, he or she may request a refund or have the fee, less incurred processing costs, credited to the next scheduled examination.
(d) The Board may deny admittance to an examination for any of the following reasons:
(i) The examination or reexamination fee is not received by the Board on or before the date specified by the Board;
(ii) An applicant fails to submit a completed notice of intent form at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to the examination date; or
(iii) The applicant does not present an acceptable form of photo identification such as a current state issued driver's license, passport, or other type of governmental identification.
(e) Within thirty (30) calendar days after the day on which an examination is administered, the Board or its designee(s) shall notify each examinee of the results of the examination. However, if an examination is graded or reviewed by a national testing service, the Board or its designee(s) shall notify examinees of the results of the examination within ten (10) working days after the day that the Board or its designee(s) receives the results from the testing service. If notice of the examination results will be delayed for longer than ninety (90) calendar days after the examination date, the Board or its designee(s) shall notify the examinee of the reason for the delay before the ninetieth (90th) calendar day.
(f) An applicant who fails to achieve a passing score on an examination may apply for reexamination by paying the appropriate reexamination fees. An applicant who fails either the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) or the Practice of Geology (PG) examination will only have to retake the examination he or she failed.
(g) An applicant may withdraw his or her application for certification or licensure by written request to the Board. An application withdrawn in this manner shall be considered withdrawn without prejudice.
Section 7. Admission to the Practice of Geology Examination for Applicants with Out-of-state Geologist-in-training Status. An applicant for licensure as a professional geologist who has successfully completed a geologist-in-training examination in another jurisdiction, which has an examination equivalent to the examination administered in the State of Wyoming, may be admitted to take the Practice of Geology (PG) examination. Proof of geologist-in-training status must be forwarded directly to the Board from the authority which administered the original examination. An applicant must further comply with all the educational and experience requirements set forth in W.S. 33-41-111, except (a)(iii).
(a) An applicant who holds a valid license to practice geology in another state, jurisdiction, territory, or country may be granted licensure in Wyoming without examination, provided:
(i) The applicant has passed an examination or examinations deemed by the Board as comparable to Wyoming's examination(s) and has submitted evidence acceptable to the Board that the requirements under which he or she was licensed in the original jurisdiction were substantially identical to or more stringent than those now existing in the State of Wyoming; or
(ii) The applicant, if licensed under the grandfather provisions of the state in which he or she currently holds registration or licensure, submits evidence acceptable to the Board that the requirements under which he or she was licensed in the original jurisdiction were substantially identical to or more stringent than those now existing in the State of Wyoming, and submits evidence acceptable to the Board that he or she has:
(A) At least five (5) years of professional geologic work experience subsequent to the date of his or her registration or licensure in that state; and
(B) Held that registration or license continuously for a minimum of five (5) years.
(b) An applicant who does not hold a valid license to practice geology in another state, jurisdiction, territory, or country may be granted licensure in Wyoming without examination if he or she has passed an examination or examinations deemed by the Board as comparable to Wyoming's examination(s) and has submitted evidence acceptable to the Board that he or she meets the statutory requirements for education and experience in the State of Wyoming.
(c) For purposes of this rule, 'evidence acceptable to the Board' shall mean a completed application as described in Section 4 of this chapter and documentation of licensure, if required, on verification of registration or licensure forms prescribed by the Board. Such documentation of licensure shall contain information concerning the method of licensure including examination results, cutoff scores, the date of the original licensure, and the current status of the applicant's license.
(a) A transfer to retired licensee status shall be made at the time of license renewal.
(b) A professional geologist licensee shall provide the Board with written notification of his or her desire for retired licensee status.
(c) To be granted retired professional geologist status as professional geologist licensee must:
(i) Have been licensed continuously for ten years in Wyoming prior to requesting retired licensee status;
(ii) Not practice geology before the public;
(iii) Pay the annual renewal fee for a retired professional geologist;
(iv) Submit a signed statement with each annual renewal affirming that he or she is not currently practicing and has not practiced geology before the public while retired.
Section 10. Requirements to return to active licensee status from retired licensee status. To return to a professional geologist license and be licensed to practice geology before the public, a retired licensee must notify the Board in writing of the desire to return to a professional geologist license, pay the re-activation fee, and the annual renewal fee for licensure as a professional geologist.