Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 809 - BOARD OF GEOLOGIST EXAMINERS
Here’s a detailed overview of OAR Chapter 809 — Board of Geologist Examiners, the administrative rules governing geologist registration, ethics, and oversight in Oregon:
📘 Chapter 809 – Divisions & Updates
OAR Chapter 809 is organized into these divisions (last updated June 8, 2021) (oregon.public.law):
Division 1 – Procedural Rules (§ 809‑001‑0000 to ‑0035)
Division 3 – Definitions (§ 809‑003‑0000)
Division 5 – Certification of Specialty (§ 809‑005‑0000 to ‑0005)
Division 10 – Fees (§ 809‑010‑0001 to ‑0025)
Division 15 – Renewals & Restorations (§ 809‑015‑0000 to ‑0020)
Division 20 – Code of Professional Conduct (§ 809‑020‑0001 to ‑0030)
Division 25 – Continuing Education (§ 809‑025‑0000 to ‑0045)
Division 30 – Qualification Standards & Experience (§ 809‑030‑0000 to ‑0025)
Division 40 – Examination Procedures (§ 809‑040‑0000 to ‑0030)
Division 50 – General (§ 809‑050‑0000 to ‑0050)
Division 55 – Compliance (§ 809‑055‑0000 to ‑0020)
Division 60 – Board Operations (§ 809‑060‑0001 to ‑0003) (law.cornell.edu, casetext.com)
📝 Selected Highlighted Rules
Division 15 – Renewals & Restorations
Registration renews annually on the last day of the month it was initially issued—for GITs, RGs, and CEGs.
Late renewals incur restoration fees; registrations expire the day after the renewal date if not completed (law.cornell.edu).
Division 20 – Code of Professional Conduct
Responsibility to Profession (§ 809‑020‑0006): RGs must only practice within their expertise, sign/seal work they directly oversee, credit others' work, avoid misrepresentation, disclose conflicts, report safety concerns, and report violations to the Board (oregon.public.law).
Responsibility to Employer (§ 809‑020‑0011): Geologists must avoid conflicts of interest, use employer resources ethically, engage specialists when needed, provide proper notice upon termination, and disclose multiple compensation sources (law.cornell.edu).
Responsibility to the Board (§ 809‑020‑0025): Registrants must respond to Board communications within 21 days, update personal contact info within 30 days, and assist in investigations without retaliating against peers (regulations.justia.com).
Division 25 – Continuing Education
Registered geologists must complete 8 contact hours of qualifying continuing education annually.
Permitted in both structured and self-directed formats; no pre-approval requirement.
Detailed guidance is available through the Board's published CE guidance document (oregon.gov).
Division 30 – Qualification Standards & Experience
For licensure: 7 years total geology experience—includes a minimum of 2 years education, up to 4 years for coursework, and at least 3–5 years supervised professional work or faculty/research duties (regulations.justia.com).
Passage of the two-part national geology exam required, plus application and fee submission.
✔️ Board Operations & Enforcement
The Board regulates geologists, investigates complaints, and may impose sanctions, including revocation, suspension, or fines (oregon.gov, oregon.gov).
Disciplinary rules and compliance processes are found in Division 55.
🔗 Quick Access & Resources
Official text available via Oregon Secretary of State’s OARD (SOS) site.
OregonLaws provides a well-organized, up‑to‑date mirror (oregon.public.law).
OSBGE website offers CE guidance, fee schedules, rulemaking notices (e.g., updated fees and budget rules reviewed May 2025) (oregon.gov).
Casetext and Justia give searchable directions to sections and language (regulations.justia.com).
📊 Summary Table
Division
Topic
1
Procedure rules
3–5
Definitions & specialty cert.
10–15
Fees, renewal, restoration
20
Professional & ethical conduct
25
Continuing education
30
Experience & qualification
40
Exam procedures
50–55
General rules & compliance
60
Board administration
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