Licensed professionals: engineers: geologists: geophysicists.

Existing law, the Professional Engineers Act, generally regulates the practice of persons engaged in the practice of engineering. The act provides for a temporary authorization to practice engineering, as specified. This bill would delete the provisions allowing for a temporary authorization to practice as an engineer and would make additional conforming changes. Existing law, the Geologist and Geophysicist Act, generally regulates the practice of persons engaged in the practice of geology and persons engaged in the practice of geophysics. Violations of the act are a misdemeanor. The act provides for a temporary authorization to practice as a geologist or geophysicist, as specified. This bill would, subject to exceptions, require geologists and geophysicists to use a written contract when contracting to provide geological or geophysical services to a client, as specified. The bill would specify certain information to be included in the contract. The bill would delete the provisions allowing for temporary authorizations to practice as a geologist or geophysicist and would make additional conforming changes. By imposing requirements on geologists and geophysicists, the violation of which is a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would incorporate changes to Section 7887 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 822 that would become operative if this bill and SB 822 are both chaptered and this bill is chaptered last. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.