AN ACT to eliminate the soil scientist‑in‑training and professional work experience requirement for licensure as a soil scientist.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 89F‑3 reads as rewritten:

§ 89F‑3.  Definitions.

As used in this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

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(5)        Responsible charge of work means the independent control and direction by the use of initiative, skill, and independent judgment in the practice of soil science or supervision of the practice of soil science by soil scientists‑in‑training and subordinates.

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(9)        Soil scientist‑in‑training means a person who has passed the examination and satisfied all other requirements for licensure under this Chapter except for the professional work experience requirement.

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SECTION 1.(b)  G.S. 89F‑10 reads as rewritten:

§ 89F‑10.  Minimum qualifications.

(a)        To be eligible for a license as a soil scientist in this State, an applicant shall satisfy the following minimum qualifications:

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(4)        Subject to subsection (b) of this section, have at least three years of professional work experience as a soil scientist under the supervision of a licensed soil scientist, or a soil scientist who is eligible for licensure, under this Chapter, or a minimum of three cumulative years of professional work experience as a soil scientist in responsible charge of work satisfactory to the Board and in accordance with standards established by the Board by rule.

(b)        An applicant may substitute an advanced degree in soil science for a portion of the professional work experience requirement. The Board, in its discretion, may allow an applicant to substitute a masters degree in soil science for one year of professional work experience and to substitute a doctoral degree in soil science for two years of professional work experience. The Board, in its discretion, may allow an applicant to substitute experience gained through teaching upper level soil science courses at the college or university level or research in soil science for all or any portion of the professional work experience requirement if the Board finds the teaching or research to be equivalent to the responsible charge of work by a soil scientist.

(c)        The Board shall designate an applicant who meets all the requirements for a license under this Chapter except the professional work experience requirement as a soil scientist‑in‑training. A soil scientist‑in‑training may apply for a license upon completion of the professional work experience requirement.

SECTION 1.(c)  G.S. 89F‑19(b) reads as rewritten:

(b)      It is unlawful for any person, including a soil scientist‑in‑training or a subordinate, to practice, or offer to practice, soil science in this State, or to use in connection with his or her name, otherwise assume, or advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that he or she is a licensed soil scientist, unless that person has been duly licensed or is exempted under the provisions of this Chapter.

SECTION 2.  The North Carolina Board for Licensing of Soil Scientists shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this act.

SECTION 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the North Carolina Board for Licensing of Soil Scientists the nonrecurring sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) to implement the provisions of this act.

SECTION 4.  Section 1 of this act becomes effective October 1, 2022, and applies to application for licensure under this Chapter submitted or received on or after that date. Section 3 of this act becomes effective July 1, 2022. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.