§34-32-9. Application for registration; qualifications; issuance of certificate without examination; certificate of registration; denial of registration.

(a) An application of registration as a professional soil classifier shall be made to the board on a form prescribed by it and shall be accompanied by the application fee fixed by this chapter.

(b) An applicant for registration as a professional soil classifier shall have all the following qualifications:

(1) Be of high ethical professional standards.

(2) As a professional soil classifier, be qualified pursuant to either of the following:

a. A graduate of an approved four-year college curriculum leading to a bachelor of science degree, or its equivalent, in which the applicant has majored in a soils curriculum; and with a specific record of an additional one year or more of experience in soil classification of a grade and character which indicates to the board that the applicant may be competent to practice as a soil classifier; and be otherwise qualified. Teaching soil classification courses in a college or university offering an approved four-year soil science or agronomic curriculum should be considered as experience in soil investigations;

b. A graduate of any approved four-year college curriculum, leading to a bachelor of science degree; and with a specific record of an additional two years or more experience in soil classification of a grade and character which indicates to the board that the applicant may be competent to practice as a soil classifier; and be otherwise qualified.

(3) Sit for and pass an examination before the board or its authorized representatives. Such examination will be held at certain specified times and of such scope as prescribed by the board. Generally, the examination shall test the applicant's knowledge basic to soil classification and his or her ability to apply that knowledge and to assume responsible charge in the professional practice of classification. An applicant failing in an examination may be examined again upon filing a new application and the payment of the application fee fixed by this chapter.

(c) The board, upon application therefor on its prescribed form and upon the payment of registration fees fixed by this chapter, may issue a certificate as a registered professional soil classifier without written examination to any person holding a certificate as a registered professional soil classifier issued to him or her by any state or country having similar requirements, when the applicant's qualifications meet the other requirements of this chapter and the rules established by the board.

(d) A qualified professional soil classifier practicing soil classification on May 27, 1981, may be certified upon approval of the board, if he or she applies to the board prior to one year after enactment.

(e) In determining the qualifications of an applicant for certification, a majority vote of the board is required.

(f) An applicant who has passed the examination or has otherwise qualified as a professional soil classifier upon payment of the registration fee fixed by this chapter, shall have a certificate as a registered professional soil classifier.

(g) Any applicant who is denied registration or authorization shall, in writing, be so notified and informed of the reason therefor. Within 30 days after receipt of notice, such applicant may make written request to the board for a hearing which, if granted, shall be heard by the board.

(Acts 1981, No. 81-766, p. 1308, §9; Acts 1991, No. 91-582, p. 1071, §1.)