470.045 Firms, partnerships and corporations.

(1) The practice of professional geology, hydrology or soil science pertaining to the internal operations of a firm, partnership or corporation may be performed by employees if the professional geological, hydrological or soil science services are performed by or under the direct supervision of a professional geologist, hydrologist or soil scientist licensed under this chapter or exempt from licensure under s. 470.025. Licensed or exempt professional geological, hydrological or soil science employees may provide professional geological, hydrological or soil science data with respect to the manufacture, sale and utilization of the products of the firm, partnership or corporation to other licensed or exempt professional geologists, hydrologists or soil scientists.

(2) The practice or offer to practice professional geology, hydrology or soil science by individual professional geologists, hydrologists or soil scientists licensed under this chapter, through a firm, partnership or corporation as principals, officers, employees or agents, is permitted subject to this chapter, if all personnel who practice or offer to practice in its behalf as professional geologists, hydrologists or soil scientists are licensed under this chapter and if the firm, partnership or corporation has been issued a certificate of authorization under sub. (3).

(3)

(a) A firm, partnership or corporation desiring a certificate of authorization shall submit an application to the department on forms provided by the department, listing the names and addresses of all officers and directors, and all individuals in its employment licensed to practice professional geology, hydrology or soil science in this state who will be in responsible charge of professional geology, hydrology or soil science being practiced in this state through the firm, partnership or corporation and other relevant information required by the appropriate section of the examining board. A similar type of form shall also accompany the renewal fee. If there is a change in any of these persons, the change shall be reported on the same type of form, and filed with the department within 30 days after the effective date of the change. The appropriate section of the examining board shall grant a certificate of authorization to a firm, partnership or corporation complying with this subsection upon payment of the initial credential fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a). This subsection does not apply to firms, partnerships or corporations exempt under s. 470.025 (3).

(b) The renewal date for certificates of authorization under this section is specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a), and the renewal fee for such certificates is determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a).

(4)

(a) No firm, partnership or corporation may be relieved of responsibility for the conduct or acts of its agents, employees or officers by reason of its compliance with this chapter, nor may any individual practicing professional geology, hydrology or soil science be relieved of responsibility for professional geological, hydrological or soil science services performed by reason of his or her employment or relationship with the firm, partnership or corporation.

(b) All final drawings, specifications, plans, reports or other papers or documents involving the practice of professional geology, hydrology or soil science that are prepared for the use of a firm, partnership or corporation for delivery by it to any person or that are prepared for public record within the state shall be dated and bear the signature and seal of the professional geologist, hydrologist or soil scientist who was in responsible charge of their preparation. This paragraph does not apply to persons exempt under s. 470.025 (3) or (4).

(5) No firm, partnership or corporation may engage or offer to engage in the practice of professional geology, hydrology or soil science in this state, or use in connection with its name or otherwise assume, use or advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that it is engaged in the practice of professional geology, hydrology or soil science, nor may it advertise or offer to furnish a professional geological, hydrological or soil science service, unless the firm, partnership or corporation has complied with this chapter.

History: 1997 a. 300; 2007 a. 20.