As used in this chapter:
(1) “Board” means the State Board of Registration for Professional Geologists;
(2) “Geologist” means a person engaged in the practice of geology;
(3) “Geologist-in-training” means a person who meets all requirements for registration except length of experience and who has applied for and has been approved by the board for registration. Upon completion of his or her required length of experience and after review by the board, he or she may be granted the title of registered geologist;
(4) “Geology” means that science which treats of the earth in general, investigation of the earth's crust and the rocks and other materials which compose it, and the applied science of utilizing knowledge of the earth and its constituent rocks, minerals, liquids, gases, and other materials for the benefit of mankind;
(5)
(A) “Public practice of geology” means any professional service, work, or activity requiring formal geological education, training, and experience and the understanding and application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical, and geological sciences as may be related to those services.
(B) A person shall be construed to publicly practice geology or offer to publicly practice geology if that person:
(i) Practices any branch of the profession of geology;
(ii) By verbal claim, sign, advertisement, letterhead, card, or in any other way represents himself or herself to be a geologist or, through the use of some other title, implies that he or she is a geologist;
(iii) Represents that he or she is registered under this chapter; or
(iv) Holds himself or herself out as able to perform or does perform any geological services or work recognized as geology.
(C) The board shall have authority to expand by rule the definition of public practice of geology, as provided in § 17-32-204;
(6) “Qualified geologist” means a person who is not registered under this chapter but who possesses all the qualifications specified in this chapter for registration;
(7) “Registered certified specialty geologist” means a person who is certified as a specialty geologist under this chapter;
(8) “Registered geologist” means a person who is registered as a geologist under this chapter;
(9) “Responsible charge of work” means the independent control and direction of geological work or the supervision of that work by the use of initiative, skill, and independent judgment; and
(10) “Subordinate” means any person who assists a registered geologist or a registered engineer in the practice of geology without assuming the responsible charge of work.