| Formal Name: | Board of Geologists |
| Contact Person: | Cole Gressley, Administrative Programs Officer, 402-471-8383 |
| Purpose: | The mission of the Board is to ensure that qualified individuals carry out geological practices in Nebraska to safeguard life, health, and property and promote public welfare. The mission is carried out by Assuring that those who serve the public through the practice of geology have the education and experience needed to be competent in the field, enforcing the Geologists Regulation Act through education and compliance oversight, and providing quality and responsive regulatory services. |
| How Many Affectable: | Safeguards life, health, and property and promotes public welfare of those in the State of Nebraska |
| How Many Served: | 299 professional geologists, 63 organizations, 49 Emeritus licensees and 37 examinees (Numbers are as of December 17, 2024), and the public through public awareness of what geologists do and why licensure is important |
| Year Created: | 1998 |
| Year Active: | 1998 |
| Sunset Date: | None |
| Authorization Citation: | Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-3501 to 81-3541 (The Geologists Regulation Act) |
| Parent Agency: | None |
| Number Of Members: | Seven |
| Who Appoints: | Governor |
| Legislative Approval: | No |
| Qualifications Of Members: | Neb.Rev.Stat. 81-3520 and 81-3521 |
| Per Diem: | No |
| Expense Reimbursement: | Yes |
| Term Length: | Five Years |
| Terms Rotate or Expire At Once: | Terms Rotate |
| Required FY 21-22: | 1 |
| Held FY 21-22: | 3 |
| Required FY 22-23: | 1 |
| Held FY 22-23: | 5 |
| Required FY 23-24: | 1 |
| Held FY 23-24: | 4 |
| Support Staff: | Part-time commitments from eight staff |
| Shared or Separate: | Shared - Administrative Service Contract with the Board of Engineers and Architects |
| FY 21-22 Budget: | $36,650 |
| FY 22-23 Budget: | $45,151 |
| FY 23-24 Budget: | $33,505 |
| Other Funding Sources: | None-The Board is solely funded from the fees collected from license applications and renewals |
| Spending Authority: | Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-3524 |
| Since July 1, 2020: | Total number of licensescertificationsregistrations: - 81 professional geologist licenses, 18 certificates of authorization for geologic firms, 1 temporary permit, and 37 examineesThe Board of Geologists is currently working on revisions to the Geologists Regulations Act to update its licensing requirements to:Reduce the years of experience needed from five to four years to align with national model law.Create a licensure pathway for individuals who are working in an exempt field as outlined in Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-3541Change the requirement of the education board member to allow an individual who is not licensed but meets the definition of a geologist in Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-3509 to qualify for the positionOnce the statute revisions have been enacted, the Board will revise Title 171 of the Nebraska Administrative Code (NAC) to reflect the statute revisions and other housekeeping issues. |