SB420-SSA1,21,17 17470.01 Definitions. In this chapter:
SB420-SSA1,21,19 18(1) "Examining board" means the examining board of professional geologists,
19hydrologists and soil scientists.
SB420-SSA1,21,25 20(1r) "Hydrology" means a science that involves the study of the waters of the
21earth, including the study of the occurrence, circulation, distribution, chemistry or
22quality of water or its role as a natural agent that causes changes in the earth, and
23the investigation and collection of data concerning waters in the atmosphere or on
24the surface or in the interior of the earth, including data regarding the interaction
25of water with other gases, solids or fluids.
SB420-SSA1,22,6
1(3) "Practice of professional hydrology" means the performance of or offer to
2perform any hydrologic service or work in which the public welfare or the
3safeguarding of life, health, environment or property is concerned or involved.
4"Practice of professional hydrology" includes the collection of hydrological data,
5consultation, investigation, evaluation, interpretation, planning or inspection
6relating to a service or work that applies hydrology.
SB420-SSA1,22,12 7(4) "Practice of professional soil science" means the performance of or offer to
8perform any service or work related to soil science in which the public welfare or the
9safeguarding of life, health, environment or property is concerned or involved.
10"Practice of professional soil science" includes the collection of soil data, consultation,
11investigation, evaluation, interpretation, planning or inspection relating to a service
12or work that applies soil science.
SB420-SSA1,22,14 13(5) "Professional geologist" means a person who engages in the practice of
14professional geology.
SB420-SSA1,22,16 15(5m) "Professional geologist section" means the professional geologist section
16of the examining board.
SB420-SSA1,22,18 17(6) "Professional hydrologist" means a person who engages in the practice of
18professional hydrology.
SB420-SSA1,22,20 19(6m) "Professional hydrologist section" means the professional hydrologist
20section of the examining board.
SB420-SSA1,22,22 21(7) "Professional soil scientist" means a person who engages in the practice of
22professional soil science
SB420-SSA1,22,24 23(8) "Professional soil scientist section" means the professional soil scientist
24section of the examining board.
SB420-SSA1,23,5
1(9) "Soil science" means a science that involves the study of soils between the
2surface of the earth and bedrock, including the study of natural or human processes
3or forces that occur in soils, and the investigation and collection of data concerning
4soils, including data regarding the interaction of soils with other gases, solids or
5fluids or living organisms.
SB420-SSA1,23,7 6470.02 License required. Except as provided in s. 470.025 or 470.045, no
7person may do any of the following:
SB420-SSA1,23,12 8(1) Engage or offer to engage in the practice of professional geology, designate
9himself or herself as a professional geologist, use or assume the title "professional
10geologist" or any other title, letters or designation which represents or may tend to
11represent the person as a professional geologist unless the person is licensed by the
12professional geologist section under this chapter.
SB420-SSA1,23,17 13(2) Engage or offer to engage in the practice of professional hydrology,
14designate himself or herself as a professional hydrologist, use or assume the title
15"professional hydrologist" or any other title, letters or designation which represents
16or may tend to represent the person as a professional hydrologist unless the person
17is licensed by the professional hydrologist section under this chapter.
SB420-SSA1,23,22 18(3) Engage or offer to engage in the practice of professional soil science,
19designate himself or herself as a professional soil scientist, use or assume the title
20"professional soil scientist" or any other title, letters or designation which represents
21or may tend to represent the person as a professional soil scientist unless the person
22is licensed by the professional soil scientist section under this chapter.
SB420-SSA1,23,24 23470.025 Applicability. This chapter does not require a license for any of the
24following:
SB420-SSA1,24,2
1(1) A person lawfully practicing within the scope of a license, permit,
2registration or certification granted by this state or the federal government.
SB420-SSA1,24,5 3(2) An officer or employe of the federal government while engaged within this
4state in the practice of professional geology, hydrology or soil science for the federal
5government.
SB420-SSA1,24,9 6(3) A public service company or its regular employes acting in its behalf that
7engage in the practice of professional geology, hydrology or soil science exclusively
8in connection with the facilities of the company that are subject to regulation,
9supervision or control by a commission of this state or the federal government.
SB420-SSA1,24,17 10(4) A person who engages in the practice of professional geology, hydrology or
11soil science exclusively as a regular employe of a private company or corporation, by
12rendering to the company or corporation geological, hydrological or soil science
13services in connection with its operations, so long as the person is actually and
14exclusively so employed and no longer, if the company or corporation has at least one
15professional geologist, hydrologist or soil scientist who is licensed under this chapter
16in responsible charge of the company's or corporation's professional geological,
17hydrological or soil science work in this state.
SB420-SSA1,25,7 18(5) A contractor, subcontractor or construction material or equipment supplier
19who performs or undertakes activities that historically and customarily have been
20performed by a contractor, subcontractor or construction material or equipment
21supplier in his or her respective trade or specialty, including the preparation and use
22of drawings, specifications or layouts within a construction firm or in construction
23operations, superintending of construction, installation and alteration of equipment,
24cost estimating, consultation with professional geologists, hydrologists or soil
25scientists or owners concerning materials, equipment, methods and techniques, and

1investigations or consultation with respect to construction sites, provided all such
2activities are performed solely with respect to the performance of the contractor's,
3subcontractor's or supplier's work on buildings or with respect to supplies or
4materials furnished by him or her for buildings or structures or their appurtenances
5which are, or which are to be, erected, enlarged or materially altered in accordance
6with plans and specifications prepared by professional geologists, hydrologists or soil
7scientists or by a person specified in subs. (1) to (4).
SB420-SSA1,25,10 8(6) A person employed by a county or this state who is engaged in the planning,
9design, installation or regulation of land and water conservation activities under ch.
1092 or s. 281.65 and who is certified under s. 92.18.
SB420-SSA1,25,13 11(7) A land surveyor registered under ch. 443 who is engaged in the planning,
12design, installation or regulation of land and water conservation activities under ch.
1392 or s. 281.65.
SB420-SSA1,25,17 14(8) A person engaged solely in teaching geology, hydrology or soil science or a
15related physical or natural science, or a person engaged solely in geological,
16hydrological or soil science research as an employe of an educational or research
17institution or a governmental agency.
SB420-SSA1,25,19 18(9) A well driller, as defined in s. 280.01 (7), who is engaged in well drilling, as
19defined in s. 280.01 (8).
SB420-SSA1,25,24 20(10) A professional engineer registered under ch. 443 who, while engaged in
21the practice of professional engineering, as defined in s. 443.01 (6), collects,
22investigates, interprets or evaluates data relating to soil, rock, groundwater, surface
23water, gases or other earth conditions, or uses that data for analysis, consultation,
24planning, design or construction.
SB420-SSA1,26,4
1(11) A professional geologist, hydrologist or soil scientist who is licensed to
2engage in the practice of professional geology, hydrology or soil science in another
3state or country and is providing a consultation or demonstration with a professional
4geologist, hydrologist or soil scientist who is licensed under this chapter.
SB420-SSA1,26,6 5470.03 Duties of the examining board. (1) The examining board shall do
6all of the following:
SB420-SSA1,26,107 (a) Upon the advice of the professional geologist section, promulgate rules
8establishing requirements and standards for the practice of professional geology by
9a person who is licensed as a professional geologist under this chapter, including a
10code of ethics that governs the practice of professional geology.
SB420-SSA1,26,1411 (b) Upon the advice of the professional hydrologist section, promulgate rules
12establishing requirements and standards for the practice of professional hydrology
13by a person who is licensed as a professional hydrologist under this chapter,
14including a code of ethics that governs the practice of professional hydrology.
SB420-SSA1,26,1815 (c) Upon the advice of the professional soil scientist section, promulgate rules
16establishing requirements and standards for the practice of professional soil science
17by a person who is licensed as a professional soil scientist under this chapter,
18including a code of ethics that governs the practice of professional soil science.
SB420-SSA1,26,22 19(2) Upon the advice of the appropriate section of the examining board, the
20examining board may promulgate rules that establish continuing education
21requirements that a person must satisfy to be eligible to renew a license that is issued
22under this chapter.
SB420-SSA1,26,25 23470.04 Licensure requirements. (1) The professional geologist, hydrologist
24or soil scientist section may not grant a license under this chapter unless an
25applicant does each of the following:
SB420-SSA1,27,2
1(a) Submits an application for the license to the department on a form provided
2by the department.
SB420-SSA1,27,33 (b) Pays the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1).
SB420-SSA1,27,44 (c) Passes an examination under s. 470.05.
SB420-SSA1,27,105 (d) Submits to the department letters of recommendation from 5 persons. At
6least 3 letters shall be from individuals who have personal knowledge of the
7individual's experience in, depending on the license for which an application is made,
8geologic, hydrologic or soil science work. At least one letter of recommendation shall
9be from an individual who, depending on the license for which an application is made,
10is licensed as a professional geologist, hydrologist or soil scientist under this chapter.
SB420-SSA1,27,13 11(2) The professional geologist section shall grant a professional geologist
12license to a person who satisfies the requirements under sub. (1) and who submits
13evidence satisfactory to the section of all of the following:
SB420-SSA1,27,1614 (a) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, that he or she does not have an
15arrest or conviction record the circumstances of which substantially relate to the
16practice of professional geology.
SB420-SSA1,27,1717 (c) That he or she has completed one of the following:
SB420-SSA1,27,20 18(3) The professional hydrologist section shall grant a professional hydrologist
19license to a person who satisfies the requirements under sub. (1) and who submits
20evidence satisfactory to the section of all of the following:
SB420-SSA1,27,2321 (a) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, that he or she does not have an
22arrest or conviction record the circumstances of which substantially relate to the
23practice of professional hydrology.
SB420-SSA1,28,224 (b) Subject to sub. (7), that he or she has a bachelor's degree with course credits
25in hydrology or water resources of a variety and nature sufficient to constitute a

1hydrology or water resources major from a college or university approved by the
2examining board.
SB420-SSA1,28,33 (c) That he or she has completed one of the following:
SB420-SSA1,28,84 1. Subject to sub. (5), at least 5 years of professional experience in hydrologic
5work of a character satisfactory to the section which demonstrates that the applicant
6is qualified to assume responsible charge of hydrologic work. At least 2 years of the
7hydrologic work required under this subdivision must have been performed under
8the supervision of any of the following:
SB420-SSA1,28,119 a. A person who is licensed as a professional hydrologist under this chapter or,
10for work performed before January 1, 1999, who was registered as a professional
11geologist under ch. 443, 1995 stats.,
SB420-SSA1,28,1512 b. A person who is licensed as a professional hydrologist in another state or
13territory or possession of the United States or in another country that has licensure
14requirements for professional hydrologists that are substantially equivalent to the
15requirements for licensure under this chapter.
SB420-SSA1,28,1716 c. Any other person who the section determines is qualified to have responsible
17charge of hydrologic work.
SB420-SSA1,28,2218 2. Subject to sub. (6), at least 7 years of professional experience in hydrologic
19work of a character satisfactory to the section which demonstrates that the applicant
20is qualified to assume responsible charge of hydrologic work, with a satisfactory
21evaluation of the last 2 years of the professional experience under a peer review
22system approved by the section.
SB420-SSA1,28,25 23(4) The professional soil scientist section shall grant a professional soil
24scientist license to a person who satisfies the requirements under sub. (1) and who
25who submits evidence satisfactory to the section of all of the following:
SB420-SSA1,29,3
1(a) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, that he or she does not have an
2arrest or conviction record the circumstances of which substantially relate to the
3practice of professional soil science.
SB420-SSA1,29,64 (b) Subject to sub. (7), that he or she has a bachelor's degree with course credits
5in soil science of a variety and nature sufficient to constitute a soil science major from
6a college or university approved by the examining board.
SB420-SSA1,29,77 (c) That he or she has completed one of the following:
SB420-SSA1,29,128 1. Subject to sub. (5), at least 5 years of professional experience in soil science
9work of a character satisfactory to the section which demonstrates that the applicant
10is qualified to assume responsible charge of soil science work. At least 2 years of the
11soil science work required under this subdivision must have been performed under
12the supervision of any of the following:
SB420-SSA1,29,1513 a. A person who is licensed as a professional soil scientist under this chapter
14or, for work performed before January 1, 1999, who was registered as a professional
15geologist under ch. 443, 1995 stats.
SB420-SSA1,29,1916 b. A person who is licensed as a professional soil scientist in another state or
17territory or possession of the United States or in another country that has licensure
18requirements for professional soil scientists that are substantially equivalent to the
19requirements for licensure under this chapter.
SB420-SSA1,29,2120 c. Any other person who the section determines is qualified to have responsible
21charge of soil science work.
SB420-SSA1,30,222 2. Subject to sub. (6), at least 7 years of professional experience in soil science
23work of a character satisfactory to the section which demonstrates that the applicant
24is qualified to assume responsible charge of soil science work, with a satisfactory

1evaluation of the last 2 years of the professional experience under a peer review
2system approved by the section.
SB420-SSA1,30,7 3(5) The appropriate section of the examining board shall reduce the
45-year-experience requirement under sub. (2) (c) 1., (3) (c) 1. or (4) (c) 1. to 4 years
5if an applicant for a license has one or more advanced degrees, approved by the
6section, in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrology, engineering geology,
7geotechnical engineering, soil science or a related science.
SB420-SSA1,30,12 8(6) The appropriate section of the examining board shall reduce the
97-year-experience requirement under sub. (2) (c) 2., (3) (c) 2. or (4) (c) 2. to 6 years
10if an applicant for a license has one or more advanced degrees, approved by the
11section, in hydrology, geology, geophysics, geochemistry, engineering geology,
12geotechnical engineering, soil science or a related science.
SB420-SSA1,30,16 13(7) The appropriate section of the examining board may waive a requirement
14specified in sub. (2) (b), (3) (b) or (4) (b) if an applicant for a license has professional
15experience in excess of 5 years that the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction
16of the section is substantially equivalent to the requirement.
SB420-SSA1,31,2 17470.045 Firms, partnerships and corporations. (1) The practice of
18professional geology, hydrology or soil science pertaining to the internal operations
19of a firm, partnership or corporation may be performed by employes if the
20professional geological, hydrological or soil science services are performed by or
21under the direct supervision of a professional geologist, hydrologist or soil scientist
22licensed under this chapter or exempt from licensure under s. 470.025. Licensed or
23exempt professional geological, hydrological or soil science employes may provide
24professional geological, hydrological or soil science data with respect to the
25manufacture, sale and utilization of the products of the firm, partnership or

1corporation to other licensed or exempt professional geologists, hydrologists or soil
2scientists.
SB420-SSA1,31,9 3(2) The practice or offer to practice professional geology, hydrology or soil
4science by individual professional geologists, hydrologists or soil scientists licensed
5under this chapter, through a firm, partnership or corporation as principals, officers,
6employes or agents, is permitted subject to this chapter, if all personnel who practice
7or offer to practice in its behalf as professional geologists, hydrologists or soil
8scientists are licensed under this chapter and if the firm, partnership or corporation
9has been issued a certificate of authorization under sub. (3).
SB420-SSA1,31,23 10(3) (a) A firm, partnership or corporation desiring a certificate of authorization
11shall submit an application to the department on forms provided by the department,
12listing the names and addresses of all officers and directors, and all individuals in
13its employment licensed to practice professional geology, hydrology or soil science in
14this state who will be in responsible charge of professional geology, hydrology or soil
15science being practiced in this state through the firm, partnership or corporation and
16other relevant information required by the appropriate section of the examining
17board. A similar type of form shall also accompany the renewal fee. If there is a
18change in any of these persons, the change shall be reported on the same type of form,
19and filed with the department within 30 days after the effective date of the change.
20The appropriate section of the examining board shall grant a certificate of
21authorization to a firm, partnership or corporation complying with this subsection
22upon payment of the fee specified in s. 440.05 (1). This subsection does not apply to
23firms, partnerships or corporations exempt under s. 470.025 (3).
SB420-SSA1,31,2524 (b) The renewal date and renewal fee for certificates of authorization under this
25section are specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a).
SB420-SSA1,32,6
1(4) (a) No firm, partnership or corporation may be relieved of responsibility for
2the conduct or acts of its agents, employes or officers by reason of its compliance with
3this chapter, nor may any individual practicing professional geology, hydrology or
4soil science be relieved of responsibility for professional geological, hydrological or
5soil science services performed by reason of his or her employment or relationship
6with the firm, partnership or corporation.
SB420-SSA1,32,137 (b) All final drawings, specifications, plans, reports or other papers or
8documents involving the practice of professional geology, hydrology or soil science
9that are prepared for the use of a firm, partnership or corporation for delivery by it
10to any person or that are prepared for public record within the state shall be dated
11and bear the signature and seal of the professional geologist, hydrologist or soil
12scientist who was in responsible charge of their preparation. This paragraph does
13not apply to persons exempt under s. 470.025 (3) or (4).
SB420-SSA1,32,20 14(5) No firm, partnership or corporation may engage or offer to engage in the
15practice of professional geology, hydrology or soil science in this state, or use in
16connection with its name or otherwise assume, use or advertise any title or
17description tending to convey the impression that it is engaged in the practice of
18professional geology, hydrology or soil science, nor may it advertise or offer to furnish
19a professional geological, hydrological or soil science service, unless the firm,
20partnership or corporation has complied with this chapter.
SB420-SSA1,33,3 21470.05 Examination. Beginning no later than January 1, 2000, the
22appropriate section of the examining board shall conduct or arrange for
23examinations for licensure as a professional geologist, hydrologist or soil scientist at
24least semiannually and at times and places determined by the section.
25Examinations under this section shall require an applicant to demonstrate

1minimum competency in the principles and practice of subjects substantially related
2to the practice of professional geology, hydrology or soil science and may consist of
3one or more written or oral tests, or both.
SB420-SSA1,33,9 4470.06 Reciprocal licenses. Upon application and payment of the fee
5specified in s. 440.05 (2), the appropriate section of the examining board may issue
6a professional geologist, hydrologist or soil scientist license to a person who has been
7issued a similar license by another state or territory of the United States or in
8another country if he or she submits evidence satisfactory to the section of all of the
9following:
SB420-SSA1,33,12 10(1) That, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, he or she does not have
11an arrest or conviction record the circumstances of which substantially relate to the
12practice of professional geology, hydrology or soil science.
SB420-SSA1,33,14 13(2) That the requirements of the other state, territory or country that issued
14the license are substantially equivalent to the requirements under this chapter.
SB420-SSA1,33,21 15470.07 Renewal of licenses. The renewal dates for licenses granted under
16this chapter are specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a). Renewal applications shall be
17submitted to the department on a form provided by the department and shall include
18the renewal fee specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a) and evidence satisfactory to the
19appropriate section of the examining board that the applicant has completed any
20continuing education requirements specified in rules promulgated under s. 470.03
21(2).
SB420-SSA1,33,25 22470.08 Disciplinary proceedings and actions. (1) Subject to the rules
23promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the appropriate section of the examining board may
24make investigations and conduct hearings to determine whether a violation of this
25chapter or any rule promulgated under this chapter has occurred.
SB420-SSA1,34,4
1(2) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the appropriate section
2of the examining board may reprimand a person issued a license under this chapter,
3or may deny, limit, suspend or revoke a license under this chapter, if the applicant
4or license holder has done any of the following:
SB420-SSA1,34,65 (a) Made a material misstatement in an application for a license or for renewal
6of a license.
SB420-SSA1,34,97 (b) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, been arrested or convicted of an
8offense the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of professional
9geology, hydrology or soil science.
SB420-SSA1,34,1210 (c) Been adjudicated mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction.
11A certified copy of the record of an adjudication of incompetency is conclusive
12evidence of incompetence under this paragraph.
SB420-SSA1,34,1313 (d) Advertised in a manner that is false, deceptive or misleading.
SB420-SSA1,34,1414 (e) Advertised, practiced or attempted to practice under another's name.
SB420-SSA1,34,1715 (f) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.34, engaged in the practice of
16professional geology, hydrology or soil science while the person's ability to engage in
17the practice was impaired by alcohol or other drugs.
SB420-SSA1,34,1918 (g) Violated any requirement or standard relating to the practice of professional
19geology, hydrology or soil science established by the examining board by rule.
SB420-SSA1,34,2220 (h) Engaged in conduct while engaging in the practice of professional geology,
21hydrology or soil science which evidences a lack of knowledge or ability to apply
22professional principles or skills.
SB420-SSA1,34,2423 (i) Failed to cooperate with the examining board in an investigation under this
24section.
SB420-SSA1,35,2
1(j) Aided another person in violating this chapter or any rule promulgated
2under this chapter.
SB420-SSA1,35,33 (k) Violated this chapter or any rule promulgated under this chapter.
SB420-SSA1,35,12 4(3) The examining board may reprimand a firm, partnership or corporation
5that holds a certificate of authorization issued under this chapter or may limit,
6suspend or revoke such a certificate if any of the agents, employes or officers of the
7firm, partnership or corporation has committed any act or has been guilty of any
8conduct which would authorize a reprimand or a limitation, suspension or revocation
9of a license under this chapter, unless the firm, partnership or corporation submits
10evidence satisfactory to the examining board that the agent, employe or officer is no
11longer practicing or offering to practice professional geology, hydrology or soil science
12in its behalf.
SB420-SSA1,35,20 13(4) Any person may make charges that any holder of a license or certificate of
14authorization issued under this chapter has committed an act for which a reprimand
15or limitation, suspension or revocation of registration is authorized under sub. (2).
16Such charges shall be in writing, shall be sworn to by the person making them and
17shall be submitted to the examining board. The examining board may, on its own
18motion, make such charges. All charges, unless dismissed by the examining board
19as unfounded or trivial, shall be heard by the appropriate section of the examining
20board, subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1).
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