(1)

(a) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the following shall be considered as minimum evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant is qualified for registration as a registered professional geologist:

(i) Graduation from a course of study in geology satisfactory to the board from an accredited college or university, or from a program accredited by an organization recognized by the board, of four (4) or more years and which includes at least thirty (30) semester or forty-five (45) quarter hours of credit, with a major in geology or a geological specialty;

(ii) Demonstration through a specific record of a minimum of four (4) years of qualifying experience, after completion of the academic requirements, in geology or a specialty indicating that the applicant is competent to practice geology or a specialty. The board may require the experience be gained under the supervision of a geologist registered in this state or any other state with at least as stringent geologic registration requirements, or under the supervision of others who, in the opinion of the board, are qualified to have responsible charge of geological work;

(iii) Successful passage of at least one (1) examination in geology as determined and prescribed by the board; and

(iv) Other requirements as may be established in rules and regulations by the board.

(b) In addition to the qualifications named in paragraph (a) of this subsection, applicants for registration as a registered professional geologist shall include with their application at least three (3) letters of reference from geologists having personal knowledge of the applicant’s geologic experience.

(c) The board may give credit for a master’s degree in the geological sciences or in a specialty as one (1) year of professional experience and an earned doctorate degree in the geological sciences or in a specialty as two (2) years of professional experience. The board shall not give more than two (2) years of professional experience credit for the completion of all graduate degrees.

(d) The board may give credit for geological research or teaching of persons studying geology or a specialty at an accredited college or university level as qualifying experience, if the research or teaching, in the opinion of the board, is comparable to experience obtained in the practice of geology or a specialty.

(e) The board may adopt qualifications which, in its judgment, are equivalent to the educational and experience requirements in subsection (1)(a) of this section.

(f) No person shall be eligible for registration as a professional geologist who is not of good character and reputation.

(2) Before December 31, 1998, any applicant who applies for registration or enrollment shall be considered qualified, without written examination, if the applicant possesses the qualifications prescribed in subsection (1) or (3) of this section, as the case may be.

(3) An applicant who applies for registration before July 1, 1998, shall be qualified without written examination, if the applicant possesses the following qualifications:

(a) A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering with a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours or an equivalent number of quarter hours of credit in geology or a geologically-related course, as determined by the board;

(b) A certificate of registration as a professional engineer in the State of Mississippi; and

(c) A minimum of ten (10) years of qualifying experience in geotechnical or geological engineering work demonstrated by a specific record.

If the board determines after review of the academic and experience qualifications required by this subsection that the applicant is competent to practice geology, the board may issue a certificate of registration under this chapter.

(4) Applicants for enrollment as a geologist-in-training shall meet the qualifications for a registered professional geologist, except the requirement for four (4) years of experience.

(5) The board may adopt requirements for the issuance of temporary registrations. Qualifications for temporary registrations shall be consistent with those required under this chapter.

(6) Upon written request of an applicant, the board may waive, on a case-by-case basis, any requirement for registration or enrollment, except payment of the applicable fees. The request shall state the reasons a waiver should be granted. The requirements waived and the basis for that waiver shall be recorded in the applicant’s record and in the proceedings of the board, and any waiver may be subject to repeal or suspension as determined by the board.