Wyo. Code R. 084-0001-4
Geologists, Board of Professional
Chapter 4: Regulatory Provisions
Effective Date: 08/22/1995 to 07/15/1997
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 084.0001.4.08221995
(a) All trainees and registrants, hereinafter referred to as licensees as defined by Chapter I, Section 2(d) of these rules, should be guided by the highest standards of personal integrity and professional conduct:
(i) Licensees should pursue honesty, integrity, loyalty, fairness, impartiality, candor, fidelity to trust, inviolability of confidence, and honorable conduct as a way of life.
(A) By applying for or by continuing licensing, a licensee agrees to comply with and uphold this Code of Professional Conduct.
(b) Licensees should uphold public health, safety, and welfare in the performance of professional services, and avoid even the appearance of impropriety.
(i) Licensees should observe and comply with the requirements and intent of all applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
(A) A licensee shall not knowingly participate in any illegal activities, or knowingly permit the publication of his or her reports, maps, or other documents for an illegal purpose.
(B) A licensee shall neither offer nor make any illegal payment, gift, or other valuable consideration to a public official for the purpose of influencing a decision by such official; nor shall a licensee accept any payment, gift, or other valuable consideration which would appear to influence a decision made on behalf of the public by a licensee acting in a position of public trust.
(C) If a licensee becomes aware of a decision or action by an employer, client, or colleague which violates any law or regulation, the licensee shall advise against such action, and when such violation appears to adversely affect the public health, safety, or welfare, shall advise the appropriate public officials responsible for the enforcement of such law or regulation.
(ii) Licensees should be accurate, truthful, and candid in all communications with the public.
(A) A licensee shall not knowingly engage in false or deceptive advertising, or make false, misleading, or deceptive representations or claims in regard to the profession of geology or which concern his or her own professional qualifications or abilities or those of other geologists.
(B) A licensee shall not issue a false statement or false information which the licensee knows to be false or misleading even though directed to do so by an employer or client.
(C) A licensee shall avoid making sensational, exaggerated, and/or unwarranted statements that may mislead or deceive members of the public or any public body.
(iii) Licensees should participate as citizens and as professionals in public affairs.
(A) A licensee acting in a position of public trust shall exercise his or her authority impartially, and shall not seek to use his or her authority for personal profit or to secure any competitive advantage.
(iv) Licensees should promote public awareness of the effects of geology and geological processes on the quality of life.
(c) Licensees should serve their employers and clients faithfully and competently within their overall professional obligations.
(i) Licensees should disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest which may affect their ability to faithfully serve an employer or client.
(A) A licensee shall disclose to a prospective employer or client the existence of any owned or controlled mineral or other interest which may, either directly or indirectly, have a direct bearing on such employment.
(B) A licensee having or expecting to have beneficial interest in a property on which the licensee reports shall state in the report the fact of the existence of such interest or expected interest.
(C) A licensee employed or retained by one employer or client shall not accept, without that employer's or client's written consent, an engagement by another if the interests of the two are in any manner conflicting.
(D) A licensee shall not accept referral fees from any person to whom an employer or client is referred; however, nothing herein shall prohibit a licensee from being compensated by the employer or client for consultation, or for other services actually performed.
(E) A licensee shall not offer or pay referral fees to any person who refers an employer or client to the licensee; however, nothing herein shall prohibit a licensee from compensating the person giving the referral for consultation or for other services actually performed.
(ii) Licensees should protect, to the fullest possible extent, the interest of an employer or client so far as is consistent with public health, safety, and welfare and the licensee's legal, professional, and ethical obligations.
(A) A licensee shall not use, directly or indirectly, any confidential information obtained from or in the course of performing services for an employer or client in any way which is adverse or detrimental to the interests of the employer or client, except with the prior consent of the employer or client or when disclosure is required by law.
(B) A licensee who has made an investigation for an employer or client shall not seek to profit economically from the information gained without written permission of the employer or client, unless it is clear that there can no longer be a conflict of interest with the original employer or client.
(C) A licensee shall not use his or her employer's or client's resources for private gain without the prior knowledge and consent of his or her employer or client.
(iii) Licensees should provide competent service to their employers and clients.
(A) A licensee shall only perform professional services or issue professional advice which is within the scope of the education and experience of the licensee and the licensee's professional associates, consultants, or employees, and shall advise the employer or client if any professional advice is outside of the licensee's personal expertise.
(B) A licensee shall not give a professional opinion or submit a report without being as thoroughly informed as might be reasonably expected, considering the purpose for which the opinion or report is requested.
(C) A licensee shall engage, or advise an employer or client to engage, and cooperate with other experts and specialists whenever the employer's or client's interest would be best served by such service.
(iv) Licensees should serve their employers and clients diligently and perform their services in a timely manner.
(v) Licensees who find that obligations to an employer or client conflict with professional or ethical standards should have such objectionable conditions corrected or they should resign.
(d) Licensees should respect the rights, interests, and contributions of their professional colleagues.
(i) Licensees should respect and acknowledge the professional status and contributions of their colleagues.
(A) A licensee shall give due credit for work done by others in the course of a professional assignment, and shall not knowingly accept credit due another.
(B) A licensee shall not plagiarize another in oral or written communications, or use materials prepared by others without appropriate attribution.
(e) Licensees should continually strive to improve the profession of geology so that it may be of ever increasing benefit to society.
(i) Licensees should strive to improve their professional knowledge and skills.
(ii) Licensees should cooperate with others in the profession and encourage the dissemination of geological knowledge.
(iii) Licensees should work toward the improvement of standards of geological education, research, training, and practice.
(iv) Licensees should not only uphold these standards of professional conduct by precept and example, but also encourage by counsel and advice to other licensees, their adherence to such standards.
(v) Licensees having knowledge of another licensee violating the Act, the rules of the Board, or this code of professional conduct should bring substantial evidence of such violation to the attention of the Board.
(a) The seal authorized for registrants is of the crimp type and/or rubber stamp facsimile and shall be of a design shown below. The seal consists of concentric circles with the diameter of the outer circle being one and three quarter (1.75) inches and the diameter of the inner circle being one and one quarter (1.25) inches. The upper portion between the two circles shall bear the phrase: 'PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGIST'. At the bottom of the annular space between the two circles shall appear the inscription 'WYOMING'. The inner circle shall contain the name of the registrant and the registration number above a bucking horse of the size, shape, and orientation shown. It is preferred that a registrant's number be preceded by the capital letters 'PG' followed by a short dash (example: PG-0000). A registration number without the 'PG-' is also acceptable. The assigned registration number should be centered in the inner area of the seal in the space occupied by the word 'Number' and the size of the numbers should not be larger than the word 'Name'. The words and parentheses '(NUMBER)' and '(NAME)' should not appear on the seal. The seal shall not include the word 'DATE'.
(b) After the Board notifies an applicant for registration as a professional geologist that all his or her registration requirements are satisfied, the applicant must obtain and purchase a seal of the design stipulated in subsection (a) of this section of the rules in order to complete his or her registration. The Board or its designee will provide a list of vendors who can manufacture and provide seals.
(c) Within ninety (90) days from the date of notification of registration, the applicant must submit, on a form provided by the Board, an impression or stamp of the seal he or she has obtained superimposed over an original signature. Failure to provide this impression or stamp is a violation of W.S. 33-41-115(b). Upon approval of the seal impression or stamp, a registrant will be sent an official certificate of registration. If the Board or its designee disapproves the applicant's seal, the Board shall require the applicant to obtain and purchase another seal that meets the Board's stated specifications prior to sealing any work.
(d) An imprint of the registrant's valid seal shall appear on each and every sheet of unbound drawings or maps. The seal shall also appear on the title page of projects, details, and specifications bound in book form and on the title page of final reports prepared by the registrant. Superimposed over the imprint of the seal shall be the signature of the registrant and the date signed.
(e) Any work sealed and signed by a registrant must have been prepared by that registrant or by someone under the responsible charge or direct supervision of the registrant. After-the-fact ratification by the sealing of documents (without thorough technical review by the registrant), when the underlying work was not performed by or under the responsible charge and supervision of the registrant, is prohibited.
(f) A registrant whose license is expired shall not use his or her seal on any work until the license is reinstated.
(g) If a replacement or additional seal is required, the registrant shall submit an impression or stamp of the new seal to the Board for its approval, pursuant to subsection (c) of this section of the rules. The impression or stamp of the new seal shall be accompanied by a sworn statement by the registrant stipulating the reason for the seal's duplication.
(h) If a registrant changes his or her name, the registrant shall notify the Board in writing. This notification should be made within thirty (30) days of the name change and should include a statement explaining the reason for the name change. Within ninety (90) days after the registrant's name change, the registrant shall obtain a new seal and submit an impression or stamp of the new seal to the Board for its approval, pursuant to subsection (c) of this section of the rules.