All Roll Calls
Yes: 236 • No: 0
NebraskaLB38109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Change provisions of the Geologists Regulation Act
Sponsored By: Mike Jacobson
Signed by Governor
Natural Resources Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
12 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 7 mixed.
Stronger standards, hearings, and penalties for geologists
The Board sets a professional code on competence, conflicts, safety, and conduct. Discipline requires written charges, a hearing, and at least 30 days’ notice by registered mail. Penalties can include probation, limits, suspension, revocation, cease‑and‑desist orders, costs, and civil fines up to $10,000 per violation. When renewing, you must swear to any felony or moral‑turpitude convictions and any license suspensions or revocations; the Board can deny renewal. If a license is revoked, the Board notifies the Secretary of State; you may later apply for reissuance and pay a fee.
Paths for out-of-state and veteran geologists
If you hold an out‑of‑state license, you can get a Nebraska license by showing four or more years of post‑education experience, passing Nebraska’s law exam, verifying good standing, and meeting equivalent exam and coursework rules. If you have 15 or more years of licensed practice elsewhere, you can qualify by passing the Nebraska exam and providing references. Long‑tenured practitioners of previously exempt work can also qualify with 15 or more years’ practice plus 30 semester or 45 quarter geology hours, the Nebraska exam, references, and a fee. For short work, you may request one lifetime temporary permit for a named project and period, after passing the Nebraska exam and paying the fee. Temporary permit holders must use their home‑state seal, sign their work, and attach the permit.
No unlicensed geology; tougher penalties
It is illegal to practice geology or use the title “Professional Geologist” without a Nebraska license, unless an exemption applies. Licensed geologists may not help unlicensed people practice. Crimes include unlicensed practice, knowingly hiring unlicensed practitioners, misuse of “geologist” in a business name, false claims, and using expired or suspended certificates. A first offense is a Class II misdemeanor. Later offenses are Class I misdemeanors.
How to get a geology license
The law sets clear steps to become a Licensed Professional Geologist. You may take the fundamentals exam as a senior or graduate with at least 30 semester or 45 quarter geology hours, after applying, paying the fee, and providing references. After passing, the Board can enroll you as a geologist‑intern; to sit for the practice exam you must document four years of post‑education experience. Full licensure requires both exams, the Nebraska law exam, at least four years’ progressive experience, references, and a fee; the Board issues your license certificate. Credentials take effect when issued, and exam materials are not public.
Firms need authorization to offer geology
Firms that offer geology in Nebraska must get a Board certificate of authorization. They must list licensed officer(s) on the application and report officer changes within 30 days; renewals follow the Board’s schedule. Public filings from the firm must be dated and sealed by the responsible licensed geologist. The Secretary of State will not register a company or a trade name using “geology” unless the firm provides a certificate or an eligibility letter. Certification does not remove the firm’s or the geologist’s legal responsibility for their work.
More geology work exempt from licenses
The law expands tasks that do not need a professional geologist license. Examples include work under a licensed geologist’s supervision, some low‑risk energy and mineral exploration the board approves, academic and nonprofit research, and teaching. Licensed engineers may work within their engineering scope. Routine internal testing and monitoring for an organization’s own operations, certain public‑employee duties, some utility line work, related professions’ work, and water well work defined in law are also exempt.
Annual renewals and licensing fees
The Board sets renewal dates and must notify you at least one month before your license or firm certificate expires. You renew by applying and paying a fee capped at $200 per year; the Board may require continuing education. If your credential expires, the Board may require reexamination or penalty fees. Upfront fees are capped at $300 for a professional license, $100 for geologist‑intern enrollment, $300 for a firm certificate, and $100 for emeritus status. Exam fees may cover test costs, and an extra administrative collection fee can be up to $100; fees are nonrefundable.
New geology exam rules and retake fees
The Board of Geologists sets when, where, and how exams are given. The board decides what references count, exam rules, and what work experience qualifies. If you retake an exam, the board can charge up to $100 each time. The board may waive the fee for your first retake and sometimes later ones. After a second failure, you may have to show added training before another try.
What counts as geology and responsibility
The law defines “practice of geology” broadly, including teaching and research and using titles that imply you are licensed. Direct supervision means you have professional knowledge and control over another person’s geologic work. Responsible charge means you are personally accountable for the technical and financial parts of the work, whether by your own work, management, or supervision. The Board may waive licensure for a specific function if it finds the public is still protected.
Seals and signatures on geologic work
Licensed geologists must get a board‑approved seal that shows “State of Nebraska,” your name, license number, and “Licensed Professional Geologist.” You must sign and date across the seal on technical submissions and on public reports, maps, plans, logs, and sections you prepared in responsible charge. Technical submissions include designs, drawings, specifications, studies, and related reports. Using an expired seal or helping someone avoid sealing rules is unlawful.
Old geology law sections repealed
The law removes many old sections of Nebraska’s geologist statutes. It repeals sections 81-3505 and 81-3513 and a long list of other sections tied to the prior Act. These repeals clear out the old framework and align the code with the new Geologists Regulation Act.
Geologist board makeup and public roster
A seven‑member Board of Geologists runs the law: five licensed geologists, one Nebraska geology faculty member, and one public member. Geologist members need 10 years of practice and 5 years in responsible charge or supervision and must keep a Nebraska license; all members are U.S. citizens and recent Nebraska residents. Terms are five years; the Governor may remove members for cause. The Board may name former members “emeritus” for one‑year, non‑voting, unpaid roles. The Board keeps a public roster of licensees’ names and last‑known addresses and may charge public‑records fees for copies.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mike Jacobson
Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 2/21/2025
Final Reading
Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1
legislature vote • 2/7/2025
Vote
Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 15
legislature vote • 1/30/2025
Vote
Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 7
legislature vote • 1/30/2025
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 15
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 39 • No: 0 • Other: 10
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor on February 25, 2025
2/25/2025legislaturePresented to Governor on February 21, 2025
2/21/2025legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
2/21/2025legislaturePassed on Final Reading 48-0-1
2/21/2025legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
2/21/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ST4 recorded
2/18/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ST4 filed
2/18/2025legislaturePlaced on Final Reading with ST4
2/18/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
2/7/2025legislatureJacobson AM141 adopted
2/7/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ER2 adopted
2/7/2025legislatureJacobson AM141 filed
2/5/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ER2 filed
2/4/2025legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER2
2/4/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
1/30/2025legislatureNatural Resources AM17 adopted
1/30/2025legislatureNatural Resources AM17 filed
1/27/2025legislaturePlaced on General File with AM17
1/27/2025legislatureNotice of hearing for January 23, 2025
1/16/2025legislatureReferred to Natural Resources Committee
1/13/2025legislatureDate of introduction
1/9/2025legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
1/9/2025
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted
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