(a) To be eligible for a certificate of registration, an applicant shall meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

(1) Be of good ethical character;

(2) Have graduated from an accredited college or university with a major in either geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or an earth science-related major that has been approved by the State Board of Registration for Professional Geologists; and

(3) (A) Have at least seven (7) years of professional geological work which shall include either:

(i) A minimum of three (3) years of professional geological work under the supervision of a registered geologist, except that prior to July 20, 1987, professional geological work shall qualify under this subdivision if it is under the supervision of a qualified geologist; or

(ii) A minimum of five (5) years of experience in responsible charge of geological work.

(B) The following criteria of education and experience qualify, as specified, toward accumulation of the required seven (7) years of professional geological work:

(i) Each year of undergraduate study in the geological sciences shall count as one-half (1/2) year of training up to a maximum of two (2) years, and each year of graduate study shall count as one (1) year of training;

(ii) Credit for undergraduate study, graduate study, and graduate courses, individually or in any combination thereof, shall in no case exceed a total of four (4) years toward meeting the requirements for at least seven (7) years of professional geological work as set forth in subdivision (a)(3)(A) of this section;

(iii) In lieu of the professional geological work as set out in this section, the board may consider the cumulative total of professional geological work or geological research of persons teaching at the college or university level if the work or research can be demonstrated to be of a sufficiently responsible nature to be equivalent to the professional requirements of this chapter.

(b) The ability of the applicant shall have been demonstrated by:

(1) His or her having performed the work in a responsible position as determined by the board. The adequacy of the required supervision and experience shall be determined by the board in accordance with standards set forth in regulations adopted by the board; and

(2) The successful passage of such examinations as are established by the board, except that in place of an examination, the board may find that the receiving of a degree in geologic science may be judged by the board as evidence of sufficient knowledge and skill to qualify for registration.

(c)

(1) The board may issue a geologist-in-training certificate to any applicant who meets all qualifications, including successful passage of the geological examination, except the required time of professional geological work.

(2) An applicant with a geologist-in-training certificate shall be awarded full registration upon presentation of:

(A) Proof that the required time of professional geologic work has been completed; and

(B) Names and addresses of three (3) qualified geologists and two (2) persons who can attest to the applicant's personal character and ethics.