Section 1252.10  Application for Licensure Without Examination (Grandfather)

a)         Until July 1, 1998, an applicant meeting all the requirements for licensure under Section 50(a) of the Act and this Part may be issued a license under the grandfather provisions of Section 52 of the Act without taking and passing the examination.  An applicant shall file an application, by April 1, 1998, on forms provided by the Department of Professional Regulation (the Department).  The application shall include the following:

1)         Education/Experience

A)        Official transcripts of a baccalaureate degree in geology, or graduate degree in the field of geology, indicating that the applicant has completed the coursework in accordance with Section 1252.40 of this Part or official transcripts of a 4 year academic degree or higher degree other than in geology, indicating that the applicant has completed the coursework in accordance with Section 1252.40 of this Part; and verification of a minimum of 4 years of professional experience as defined in Section 1252.50 of this Part.  The experience must be obtained after completion of the education requirements specified in Section 50(a)(3) of the Act and Section 1252.40 of this Part. The Department, upon recommendation of the Board, will accept the cumulative total of professional geological work or geological research of persons who teach as full-time faculty of a college or university, provided such work or research can be demonstrated to be equivalent to the professional requirements set forth in Section 1252.50 of this Part.  Research done toward a thesis or dissertation does not apply.

B)        The Department may, upon recommendation of the Board of Licensing for Professional Geologists (Board), allow substitution of professional experience as a geologist for prescribed educational requirements.  Appropriate experience shall include, but not be limited to a minimum of ten years professional experience (six years additional to that stated in subsection (a)(1)(B) above) may be substituted for 10 semester or 15 quarter hours of geology coursework.  At least two of the ten years shall have been under the supervision of a licensed professional geologist, or, before July 1, 2000, a licensed professional geologist or engineer;

2)         A complete work history since receipt of a bachelor's degree or the most recent 15 years of geology experience since receipt of the bachelor's degree, whichever is less;

3)         The required fee set forth in Section 1252.80 of this Part; and

4)         Certification, on forms provided by the Department, from the state or territory of the United States in which the applicant was originally licensed and the state in which he/she predominantly practices and is currently licensed, if applicable, stating:

A)        The time during which the applicant was registered in that jurisdiction, including the date of the original issuance of the license; and

B)        Whether the file on the applicant contains any record of disciplinary actions taken or pending.

b)         When the accuracy of any submitted documentation or the relevance or sufficiency of the course work or experience is questioned by the Department or the Board because of lack of information, discrepancies or conflicts in information given or a need for clarification, the applicant seeking licensure may be requested  to:

1)         Provide such information as may be necessary; and/or

2)         Appear for an interview before the Board to explain such relevance or sufficiency, clarify information or clear up any discrepancies or conflicts in information.

c)         To continue practicing geology after the adoption of rules (October 1, 1997), individuals shall apply for licensure within 180 days after the effective date of the rules (April 1, 1998).  If an application is received during the 180 day period, the individual may continue to practice until the Department acts to grant or deny licensure.  If an application is not filed by April 1, 1998, the individual must cease the practice of geology on April 1, 1998 and until the Department acts to grant a license to the individual.  [225 ILCS 745/25]

(Source:  Amended at 22 Ill. Reg. 10592, effective June 1, 1998)