Ind. Code ch. 25-31.5-4

in effect

Ind. Code § 25-31.5-4-1 Qualifications of professional soil scientists

Sec. 1. To qualify for registration as a professional soil scientist under this chapter, an applicant must: (1) satisfy the education requirement described in section 2 of this chapter; (2) pass the examinations described in section 3 of this chapter; (3) satisfy the work requirement described in section 4 of this chapter; and (4) pay the registration fee described in section 10 of this chapter. As added by P.L.244-2001, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-31.5-4-2 Educational requirements

Sec. 2. (a) The education requirement for registration as a professional soil scientist consists of a bachelor's degree or advanced degree in soil science or a closely allied field in which the curriculum includes the following: (1) At least fifteen (15) semester hours of course work in the soil sciences, including at least three (3) semester hours in courses that emphasize the field study of soils, such as soil genesis, morphology, classification, interpretation, and mapping. (2) At least forty-five (45) semester hours of course work in supporting sciences, including biology, chemistry, crop science, engineering, geology, mathematics, physics, and statistics. (b) The board shall determine which courses fulfill the requirements set forth in subsection (a)(1). (c) The board shall specify the minimum number of credits in each type of supporting science needed to satisfy the requirement described in subsection (a)(2). (d) If course credits used by an applicant to qualify for registration are in units other than semester hours, the board shall use the most generally accepted factor to convert the units to semester hour equivalents. As added by P.L.244-2001, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-31.5-4-3 Examinations

Sec. 3. The board shall require an applicant for registration as a professional soil scientist to pass: (1) a written examination designed to demonstrate whether the applicant has the necessary knowledge and skill to exercise the responsibilities of the public practice of soil science; and (2) an examination that evaluates field skills in soil morphology and landscape analysis. As added by P.L.244-2001, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-31.5-4-4 Work requirement

Sec. 4. (a) The work requirement for registration as a professional soil scientist consists of three (3) years of professional experience in soil science. (b) Experience obtained while working on an advanced degree does not qualify toward the satisfaction of the work requirement of subsection (a). However, the board may allow up to: (1) one (1) year of work credit for a master's degree; and (2) two (2) years of work credit for a doctorate. (c) The board shall: (1) evaluate all work experience claimed by an applicant to satisfy the work requirement under this section; and (2) determine the amount of work credit to grant each applicant. As added by P.L.244-2001, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-31.5-4-5 Eligibility of associate soil scientists to become professional soil scientists

Sec. 5. A registered associate soil scientist who satisfies the work requirement of section 4 of this chapter is eligible to become a registered professional soil scientist. As added by P.L.244-2001, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-31.5-4-6 Qualifications of associate soil scientists

Sec. 6. (a) To qualify for registration as an associate soil scientist under this chapter, an individual must: (1) satisfy the education requirement described in section 2 of this chapter; (2) pass the examinations described in section 3 of this chapter; and (3) pay the registration fee described in section 10 of this chapter. (b) An individual is not required to satisfy the work requirement described in section 4 of this chapter in order to qualify for registration as an associate soil scientist. (c) The board may establish a maximum period during which an individual may be registered as an associate soil scientist. As added by P.L.244-2001, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-31.5-4-7 Documentation required

Sec. 7. The board may require an applicant for registration under this chapter to provide documentation of competency and integrity. As added by P.L.244-2001, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-31.5-4-8 Reciprocity

Sec. 8. Upon application by the individual, the board may allow the registration under this chapter of an individual who is registered as a soil scientist in a state that, as determined by the board, has standards for registration at least equal to those of this chapter. As added by P.L.244-2001, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-31.5-4-9 Requests for administrative review

Sec. 9. An individual who: (1) seeks registration under this chapter; and (2) is aggrieved by a determination of the board under this chapter; may request administrative review under IC 25-31.5-9. As added by P.L.244-2001, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-31.5-4-10 Registration fees

Sec. 10. (a) An individual applying for registration under this chapter must pay a nonrefundable registration fee in an amount established by rules adopted by the board under IC 4-22-2. (b) All registration fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the soil scientist registration fund established by IC 25-31.5-3-9. As added by P.L.244-2001, SEC.1.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/25Fetched: 10/17/2026