(a) Applicants for licensure 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. 33-41-102(a)(iv) and W.S. W.S. 33-41-111, except (a)(iii). In addition, applicants shall: - (i) Include the appropriate fee(s);
- (ii) Provide names and addresses of not less than three (3) professional references as defined in these rules who can attest to the applicant's professional character and repute as defined in 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 current co-worker. One (1) reference shall be from a supervisor or client. If an applicant cannot provide three (3) professional references, he 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;
- (A) Transcripts shall show satisfactory graduation in a four year (4) academic degree program from an institution of higher education approved by the Board.
- (B) Transcripts shall show satisfactory completion of the geologic course work required to qualify as a geologist.
- (iv) Provide proof of lawful presence in the United States;
- (v) 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, he shall provide a written and signed explanation and the name and address of one (1) additional professional reference as defined by these rules; and
- (vi) Be hereby apprised that submittal of an application authorizes the Board to investigate any or all of the statements or information in the application.
(b) Applicants for licensure shall mail professional reference forms to the individuals named in their application. Individuals providing these professional references shall 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 month of full-time geologic experience of a character acceptable to the Board shall count as one (1) month of professional practice of geologic work if it was carried out for a client or under the direct supervision of a either a professional geologist or qualified geologist as defined by W.S. W.S. 33-41-102(a)(ix) or (x) or another professional who has similar experience, education, and professional character and repute in a related field;
- (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. W.S. 33-41-102(a)(iv).
(d) 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 FG and PG examinations, or, if exempt from examination pursuant to W.S. 33-41-118(a) or W.S. W.S. 33-41-118(b), as eligible for licensure.
(e) If for any reason the Board is not satisfied that an applicant is eligible in all respects for examination or licensure as required by the Act or these rules, it may deny the application or it may require additional information.
(f) Before licensure, an applicant shall have passed both the FG and PG examinations, unless the applicant is exempt from examination, pursuant to W.S. W.S. 33-41-118(a) or W.S. W.S. 33-41-118(b).
(g) An individual shall not apply for licensure until the required four (4) years of professional practice in geologic work has been completed.
Amended, Eff. 11/16/2015.