Relates to license requirements for professional geologists; repealer

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic5

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Lea Webb says this is needed

Today, very few individuals secure a professional geology license with- out a format education including a bachelor's degree in geology. Howev- er, a bachelor's degree is not required under current law. The bill is consistent with the standard used throughout the nation and reflects the complexity of the demands placed on geologists, which include research- ing, investigating, consulting and geological mapping. This work describes the natural processes that act upon the earth's materials, predicting the probable occurrence of natural resources, predicting and locating natural or human-induced phenomena which may be useful or hazardous to humankind and recognizing, determining and evaluating geological factors, and the inspection and performance of geological work and the responsible supervision thereof in furtherance of the health, safety and welfare of the public. The practice of geology is a highly technical profession requiring extensive knowledge of math, science and geological principles, and it is necessary to have an education requirement as part of the require- ments for licensure as a professional geologist. This revised education requirement for geologists will help ensure the health safety and welfare of the public, as geologists can no longer obtain the necessary foundation in math, science, and geological principles from a high school education and twelve years of experience. Individuals can secure a bachelor's degree in geology in New York via a variety of public and private colleges, including 4-year SUNY insti- tutions. In order to allow licensure by those individuals currently on the 12-year experience-only pathway, a limited exception is provided for individuals who have embarked on a career path in reliance upon the 12-year Ladder. Individuals seeking a license based upon the 12-year ladder provision will be afforded 2 years following the date of enact- ment to file an application with the Education Department thereby preserving their right to utilize this alternative approach to a license at anytime in the future. Additionally, the change in the title "intern geologist" to "geologist in training" more aptly describes those on the path to licensure as a professional geologist.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.