PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
(Geologist Licensing Board)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 308-15 WAC, Geologist licensing services.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.220.040 and 18.235.030.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Amendments are needed to: (1) Allow people who have completed the academic requirements for geologist licensure to take Part I of the national Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) exam. Current rules require that all license requirements (including work experience) be met before taking any part of the exam. (2) Clarify that licensees may use embossed and digitally produced stamps as well as rubber stamps. (3) Change the frequency of offering specialty examinations. (4) Update chapter to remove obsolete references to the grandparenting period. (5) Make general changes throughout the chapter for clarity. Other changes determined necessary through public participation.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: There are no other agencies that regulate the licensure of geologists in Washington state.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study, the department will distribute draft rules to individuals on the geologist mailing lists, and will post information on the department's geologist website at http://www.dol.wa.gov/design/geofront.htm.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Leslie Saeger, Program Manager, Geologist Licensing Board, P.O. Box 9045, Olympia, WA 98507-9045, phone (360) 664-1497, TTY (360) 664-8885, e-mail lsaeger@dol.wa.gov.
November 4, 2003
George A. Twiss
Acting Administrator