(a) The board may, upon its own initiative or upon the receipt of a complaint, investigate the actions of any professional geologist or geophysicist, and make findings thereon.

(b) By a majority vote, the board may publicly reprove, suspend for a period not to exceed two years, or revoke the certificate of any geologist or geophysicist registered hereunder, on any of the following grounds:

Terms Used In California Business and Professions Code 7860

  • Board: as used in this chapter , means the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists established under Section 6710. See California Business and Professions Code 7801
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • Geologist: as used in this chapter , refers to a person engaged in the practice of geology. See California Business and Professions Code 7803
  • Geophysicist: as used in this chapter , refers to a person engaged in the practice of geophysics. See California Business and Professions Code 7803.1

(1) Conviction of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a geologist or geophysicist.

(2) Misrepresentation, fraud, or deceit by a geologist or geophysicist in his or her practice.

(3) Negligence or incompetence by a geologist or geophysicist in his or her practice.

(4) Violation of any contract undertaken in the capacity of a geologist or geophysicist.

(5) Fraud or deceit in obtaining a certificate to practice as a geologist or geophysicist.

(c) By a majority vote, the board may publicly reprove, suspend for a period not to exceed two years, or may revoke the certificate of any geologist or geophysicist registered under this chapter, for unprofessional conduct. Unprofessional conduct includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:

(1) Aiding or abetting any person in a violation of this chapter or any regulation adopted by the board pursuant to this chapter.

(2) Violating this chapter or any regulation adopted by the board pursuant to this chapter.

(3) Conduct in the course of practice as a geologist or geophysicist that violates professional standards adopted by the board.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 400, Sec. 13. (SB 1467) Effective January 1, 2015.)

  Previous section
Next section  
 Article 5 Contents