1). Complete the education and/or experience required to sit for the examinations.
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Education : An applicant must have a bachelor degree reflecting that the applicant has completed course credits of a variety and nature sufficient to constitute a major in soil science, granted by a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency approved by the state board of education in the state in which the college or university is located, or accredited by a Canadian accrediting agency satisfactory to the board, with at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course credits in soil science which include not less than 15 semester credits or 23 quarter credits in at least three of the following areas: 1. soil biology, 2. soil chemistry, 3. soil classification, morphology and mapping, 4. Soil conservation and management, 5. Soil fertility, 6. Soil physics.
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Experience : At least 5 years of professional experience in soil science work of a character satisfactory to the section which demonstrates that the applicant is qualified to assume responsible charge of soil science work. At least 2 years of the soil science work required must have been performed under the supervision of a person who is licensed as a professional soil scientist, or for work performed before January 1, 1999, who was registered as a professional geologist in Wisconsin, a person who is licensed as a professional soil scientist in another state or territory or possession of the United States or another country that has licensure requirements that are substantially equivalent to Wisconsin, or any other person who the section determines is qualified to have responsible charge of soil science work.
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2. Contact the Department of Regulation and Licensing for information and examination application materials.
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Detailed
information regarding the examination can be found on the web site
of the Council
of Soil Science Examiners .
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a. An applicant for licensure must pass both a fundamentals and a principles and practice examination approved by the soil science section. To be eligible for the fundamentals examination, an applicant must be of not less than second semester senior standing in a bachelor of science program in soil science. meeting the requirements of GHSS 4.04, or have completed at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours of course credits in soil science in a program meeting the requirements of GHSS 4.04, or have at least 5 years of experience which is determined by the Section to be equivalent to the requirements of GHSS 4.04.
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b. To be eligible for the principles and practice examination, an applicant must have a bachelors degree with course credits in soil science from a college or university approved by the Section and have at least 4 years of professional experience or at least 3 years of experience and has one or more advanced degrees relevant to the practice of soil science, or has 6 years of experience (or 5 years with an advanced degree) in addition to the experience indicated in 2 above.
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3. Pass the examinations that are required.
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Exam Dates
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4. Submit application for licensure.
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5. A credential or notice of denial will be mailed upon final board review.
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Check the FAQs to determine if a credential can be transferred from other States/Countries.
Biennial renewal due by July 31 of even-numbered years
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Common Denial Reason:
Failure of experience or education to qualify under GHSS 4.03 or GHSS 4.04 respectively.
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Convictions of crimes or pending charges may be grounds for denial of license if the circumstances of the conviction or charge are substantially related to professional practice.
