California: Prospective Soil Scientist Certification

PR Log (Press Release) – Apr 21, 2009 – It may be a sad fact of life, but, in general, as California goes, so eventually does the rest of the country.  Hence, should California soil scientists be licensed, so then increased is the probability that other States will enact such legislation.  Accordingly, the 2009 NSCSS meetings in Sacramento were graced by the presence of Rick Rempel and George Dunfield, Executive and Assistant Executive Officers, respectively, for the California Board for Geologists and Geophysicists.

George Dunfield, who also acts as the Board Enforcement Officer, suggested that two options were potentially open to California soil scientists who have long sought State licensing.   Critical for licensing is to show that soil-science work directly impacts public health, safety, welfare, and the environment [emphasis intended].  In essence, how does the public rely on the professional recommendations of soil scientists?  

For the first option, various California soil-science groups could petition the Legislature to establish a separate Board.  But the probability of success would be highly unlikely, given the small number of soil scientists compared with licensed engineers and geologists in the State.  Additionally, the hundreds of Licensing Boards in California periodically undergo “sunset” reviews to determine whether or not the public is properly served by such entities.  One criterion for Board survival is the number of “citations and fines” and outright license revocations over a given period, the assumption being that Boards inherently police themselves.  As succinctly stated in the California Business and Professions Code 7810.1:

“Protection of the public shall be the highest priority of the Board for Geologists and Geophysicists in exercising its licensing, regulatory and disciplinary functions.  Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public should be paramount”

That truly says it all!   And presumably this “mission statement” would apply to a “Board for Soil Scientists.”

A second and more practical option is “Soil Scientist Certification” under the Board for Geology and Geophysicists.  This can come about by regulation, rather than by legislation, and hence is a much less onerous process.  For context, in addition to technical qualifications, experience and examination passage, a licensed California Professional Geologist (PG), may have a specialty certification as an engineering geologist or as a hydrogeologist.  Ostensibly, therefore, qualified soil scientists who pass the national basic examination for geologists (see “ASBOG”) could well become Certified Soil Scientists under regulations of the existing Geology Board.  

This Certification option may well be doable, assuming: (1) that soil science work truly affects public health, safety, welfare, and the environment; (2) that California soil scientists find that the benefits of licensing or certification exceed the inherent costs in time and money; and (3) that, as true geoscientists, they are willing to broaden their knowledge by studying for, and passing the basic geology examinations.  

What now? In the view of NSCSS, a rare opportunity for California soil scientists is at hand.  Ostensibly, California professional soil scientists will vigorously debate the pros and cons of Certification.  We hope that with a united voice and with guidance of NSCSS members who are licensed in other States, the California soil scientists will rapidly communicate among themselves and soon decide whether or not they will take advantage of the “window of opportunity.”  

Source: Article 4/21/2009  by Roy Shlemon posted to nscss.org