Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 860-3-1 — Applications, Examinations and Fees

860 Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee for the Alabama State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers

Ala. Admin. Code r. 860-3-1-.01 Application For Registration

(1) Application for registration as a Professional Soil Classifier shall be made on a form provided by the Board. The applicant shall answer all questions on the form. Among other things, the applicant shall provide the Board with the following:

(a) References: Applications for Professional Soil Classifier shall provide 5 references, three of whom shall be Professional Soil Classifiers (in or out-of-state) and two shall be character references.

(b) Transcripts: Applicants shall provide the Board with transcripts for all college or university courses they have attempted.

(c) Experience: Applicants are to provide the Board with a descriptive record of their present and past employment. They are also to provide the Board with any other information which relates to their competence as a soil classifier, such as reports published, professional organizations, examples of mapping, etc.

(2) The Board reserves the right to ask for additional information or ask the applicant to appear before the Board. The Board may, with sufficient reason, waive any requirement not specifically made by the Act.

(3) Deadline for Application: All applications, including the application itself, transcript(s), references (total of 5), examples of mapping, and non-refundable application fee of $100.00, are due to the address listed on the application form no later than May 1^st to be considered for examination the 3^rd Tuesday in June.

History

• Author: Stephen M. Cauthen
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-32-9.
• New Rule: Filed July 15, 2010; effective August 19, 2010.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 860-3-1-.02 Qualification For Registration

(1) An applicant for registration as a Professional Soil Classifier shall maintain high personal and professional ethics and standards as described in the code of ethics of the Alabama State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers.

(2) An applicant for registration as a Professional Soil Classifier shall be qualified pursuant to either of the following:

(a) A graduate of an approved four-year college curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science Degree, or its equivalent, in which the applicant has majored in a soils curriculum; and with a specific record of an additional one year or more of experience in soil classification of a grade and character which indicates to the Board that the applicant may be competent to practice as a soil classifier; and be otherwise qualified. Teaching soil classification courses in a college or university offering an approved four-year soil science or agronomic curriculum should be considered as experience in soil investigations;

(b) A graduate of any approved four-year college curriculum, leading to a Bachelor of Science Degree; and with a specific record of an additional two years or more experience in soil classification of a grade and character which indicates to the Board that the applicant may be competent to practice as a soil classifier; and be otherwise qualified.

(3) An applicant for registration as a Professional Soil Classifier shall sit for and pass an examination (minimum passing score of 65) before the Board or its authorized representatives.

History

• Author: Stephen M. Cauthen
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-32-9, as amended.
• New Rule: Filed July 15, 2010; effective August 19, 2010.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 860-3-1-.03 Examinations

(1) Examinations on the fundamentals of soil classification and on the principles and practice of soil classifying shall be held on dates and at locations designated by the Board. Each applicant shall be notified in writing at least 20 days in advance as to the date and location of the appropriate examination. Examinations shall be prepared and administered by persons designated by the Board.

(2) An examination on the fundamentals of soil classification and on the principles and practice of soil classifying will consist of a written, oral, and field examination.

History

• Author: Stephen M. Cauthen
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-32-9.
• New Rule: Filed July 15, 2010; effective August 19, 2010.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 860-3-1-.04 Fees

(1) Application Fee -- $100.00

(2) Renewal Fee -- $75.00 (even numbered years)

History

• Author: William E. Puckett
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-32-12.
• New Rule: Filed July 15, 2010; effective August 19, 2010. Amended: Published March 31, 2022; effective May 15, 2022.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 860-3-1-.05 Roster

The Secretary of the Board shall provide upon request a roster of Professional Soil Classifiers registered by this Board. This roster will also indicate which Professional Soil Classifiers are available for consultant contracting.

History

• Author: Stephen M. Cauthen
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-32-12.
• New Rule: Filed July 15, 2010; effective August 19, 2010.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 860-3-1-.06 Registration Without Examination (Reciprocity)

An applicant otherwise qualified shall be admitted to registration as a Professional Soil Classifier without examination if he or she holds a certificate of registration in the practice of soil classifying on the basis of comparable qualifications issued by a proper authority of another state, possession or territory of the United States and who in the opinion of the Board meets the requirements of this Act.

History

• Author: Stephen M. Cauthen
• Authority: Code of Ala 1975, §34-32-9.
• New Rule: Filed July 15, 2010; effective August 19, 2010.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 860-3-1-.07 Standards

The Board accepts the standards of the National Cooperative Soil Survey for Professional Soil Classifiers practicing in Alabama.

History

• Author: Stephen M. Cauthen
• Authority: Code of Ala 1975, §34-32-9.
• New Rule: Filed July 15, 2010; effective August 19, 2010.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 860-3-1-.08 Temporary Permits

Temporary permits may be issued to non-residents or persons who have recently become residents, for specific jobs and for specific periods of time, not to exceed 30 days in any calendar year. Applicants applying for a temporary permit are required to follow the normal registration procedures or hold a certificate of registration in the practice of soil classifying on the basis of comparable qualifications issued by a proper authority of another state, possession or territory of the United States and who in the opinion of the Board meets the requirements of the Act. The Board may consider additional temporary permits to same applicant without examination.

History

• Author: Stephen M. Cauthen
• Authority: Code of Ala 1975, §34-32-9.
• New Rule: Filed July 15, 2010; effective August 19, 2010.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 860-3-1-.09 Registration

(1) An applicant who has passed the examination or otherwise qualified as a Professional Soil Classifier upon payment of the registration fee fixed by this Act, shall receive a certificate as a registered professional soil classifier.

(2) Any applicant who is denied registration or authorization shall, in writing, be so notified and informed of the reason therefore. Within 30 days after receipt of notice, such applicant may make written request to the Board for a hearing which, if granted, shall be heard by the Board.

History

• Author: Stephen M. Cauthen
• Authority: Code of Ala 1975, §34-32-9.
• New Rule: Filed July 15, 2010; effective August 19, 2010.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 860-3-1-.10 Spouses Of Active-Duty Military Personnel

(1) The Military Family Jobs Opportunity Act provides additional guidance for registration of spouses of active-duty military personnel as Professional Soil Classifiers if the following eligibility criteria are met.

(a) An eligible individual is any individual who satisfies all of the following:

1. Is the spouse of an active duty, reserve, or transitioning member of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard, or a surviving spouse of a service member who, at the time of his or her death, was serving on active duty, who is relocated to and stationed in the State of Alabama under official military orders. For the purposes of this section, a transitioning service member is a member of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard, on active-duty status or on separation leave who is within 24 months of retirement.

2. Has not committed or participated in an act that would constitute grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a professional license or certificate.

3. Has not been disciplined by an authorized entity or under investigation, in any jurisdiction, in relation to a professional license or certificate.

(b) Any eligible individual under section (1)(a) who possesses a valid license or certificate in another state, district, or territory of the United States, or in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard, with licensing or certification requirements greater than or substantially similar to the licensing or certification requirements of the Professional Soil Classifiers Board in the State of Alabama shall be approved to continue work in his or her profession upon relocation to the State of Alabama for such time as normally allotted with receipt of a license or certificate from the Professional Soil Classifiers Board. Upon completion of an application that documents compliance with the Professional Soil Classifiers' requirements for a certificate, the board shall expedite the application at the next scheduled licensure proceeding for an eligible individual under section (1)(a).

(c) The Professional Soil Classifiers Board may establish reciprocity with other states for military spouse professional licensing and certification.

(d) The Professional Soil Classifiers Board shall waive the initial licensing fee for the eligible individual upon application by the eligible individual as prescribed in 860-3-1-.01. The board shall process an application within 30 days after receiving the application.

(2) Temporary permits and Reciprocity shall be available as outlined below.

(a) A temporary permit for a spouse of an active- duty military member may be issued to an eligible individual under section {a) to perform Professional Soil Classifier services pursuant to terms of 860-3-1-.08 with the following exception that the temporary permit shall be effective for 180 days.

(b) Eligible applicants under section (1)(a) may also qualify for Reciprocity as outlined in 860-3-1-.06 to register as a Professional Soil Classifier.

History

• Author: William E. Puckett
• Authority: Code of Ala 1975, §31-1-6.
• New Rule: Published March 31, 2022; effective May 15, 2022.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 860-3-1-.11 Discharged Military Members

The Professional Soil Classifiers Board shall, upon presentation of satisfactory evidence by an applicant for registration as a Professional Soil Classifier, accept education, training, or service completed by an individual as a member of the Armed Forces or reserves of the United States, the National Guard of any state, the military reserves of any state, or the naval militia of any state toward the qualifications to receive registration as a Professional Soil Classifier. Additional evidence shall be reviewed upon receipt of the application and taken into consideration for registration, reciprocity, or temporary permit.

History

• Author: William E. Puckett
• Authority: Code of Ala 1975, §31-12A-2.
• New Rule: Published March 31, 2022; effective May 15, 2022.