AN ACT Relating to the practice of geology; and adding a new chapter to Title 18 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The board shall prepare a vehicle for establishing a comprehensive professional geologist registration and/or licensing act for submission to the state legislature. The board shall establish standards for recognition and qualification as a geologist, professional geologist, or any specialty certification.

To protect the safety and welfare of the general public, an independent board of professional geologists and appropriate definitions are established to monitor and govern the practice of geology within the state.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Geology" means the science that includes the study of the earth in general, the history of the earth and its life forms; the rocks, minerals, liquids, gases, and other materials of which the earth is composed; and the study of processes responsible for development and change in the component parts of the earth. The knowledge and principles of geology are also applied to extraterrestrial bodies.

(2) "Geologist" means a graduate of an accredited institution of higher education, with a major in geology or geological engineering, who has successfully completed a minimum of thirty semester or forty-five quarter hours of course work in geology of which fifteen quarter hours or twenty semester hours is of upper division course work in geophysics, geochemistry, engineering geology, or their subdivisions.

(3) "Professional geologist" means a geologist who has accumulated a minimum of five years' post-baccalaureate experience in the practice of geology as a vocation and who has a sustained record of adherence to exemplary standards of professional and ethical conduct.

(4) "Professional geological work" means application of the principles, theories, laws, and body of knowledge encompassed in the science of geology at an advanced and skillful level requiring education, experience, interpretation, and evaluation.

(5) "Registered professional geologist" means a professional geologist who has been accepted by the Washington state professional geologist review board and is listed on the state registry.

(6) "Board" means the Washington state professional geologist review board.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The Washington state professional geologist review board is created. The board shall be composed of eight executive officers from each of the organizations, societies, and associations directly involved in the professional practice of geology within the state of Washington. The board shall initially be funded by voluntary dues and fees from participating associations, organizations, and societies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The board shall:

(1) Adopt rules establishing application forms and procedures for registration;

(2) Adopt by rule, registration criteria consistent with this chapter. In adopting these criteria, the board shall consider any bylaws and guidelines of national associations or institutes of professional geologists;

(3) Collect application, registration, and renewal fees established under RCW 43.24.086;

(4) Establish and maintain a state registry of professional geologists;

(5) Review claims of alleged misconduct by a registered professional geologist;

(6) Have the authority to suspend, refuse to renew, or revoke registration;

(7) Develop a system of qualification for nonresident professional geologists desiring to practice in the state;

(8) Pursue a system of reciprocity with other states;

(9) Adopt and utilize a seal bearing the legend "State of Washington, Registered Professional Geologist";

(10) Issue a certificate of registration and registration number to each professional geologist who meets the registration criteria developed by the board;

(11) Provide each registrant with a seal of design adopted by the board that bears the registrant's name, registration number, and legend "State of Washington, Registered Professional Geologist";

(12) Establish standards to encourage the involvement of a professional geologist with a professional team when an interpretation or evaluation of earth processes, both on and below the surface, is required or when existing geologic conditions will be disturbed or impacted.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The initial board of eight professional geologists established to develop the registration or licensing act shall stand until introduction and acceptance of the act by the state legislature. The initial board and its authority shall become null and void on January 1, 1991, if acceptable registration or licensing legislation has not been enacted.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 18 RCW.