Licensure With The Board
A current South Carolina Soil Classifier license is required to engage in professional soil classifying services in this state, as defined in S.C. Code of Laws, Section 40-65-20(3).
- Initial Application Fee - $25
- Certification Fee for Soil Classifier-In-Training - $25
- Licensure Fee for Professional Soil Classifier - $200
- Biennial license renewal fee - $200
- Late penalty fee (for delinquent renewals) - $40
- Reinstatement fee - $250
Q. What are the requirements for licensure in South Carolina?
A. To qualify for licensure as a professional soil classifier in the State of South Carolina, the applicant must qualify under one of the methods below:
Method 1 – Initial Licensure. Applicants must:
(1) Have fifteen or more semester hours of soil courses as accepted by the Council; and
(2) Successfully pass the Fundamentals of Soil Science Examination and the Professional Practice of Soil Science Examination, written by CSSE; and
(3) Have two or more years of training under the supervision of a registered soil classifier or someone who meets the minimum academic and experience requirements of a registered soil classifier; and
(4) Must have one of the following additional qualifications:
(a) A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a curriculum approved by the Department and a specific record of two years of experience of a grade and character which indicates to the Department that the applicant is competent to practice soil classifying; or
(b) A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in one of the natural sciences and six years or more of experience in soil classifying work of a character and grade which indicates to the Department that the applicant is competent to practice soil classifying; or
(c) Valid certification as a Soil Classifier-In-Training and a specific record of two years or more experience as a Soil Classifier-In-Training of a grade and character which indicates to the Department that the applicant is competent to practice soil classifying; or
(d) Employment as an extension specialist, researcher, or teacher of soils in a college or university and two or more years of soil classifying experience of a character and grade which indicates to the Department that the applicant is competent to practice soil classifying.
Method 2 – Comity: The applicant must meet the education/experience/examination requirements in the law under Method 1 above and be actively registered in a jurisdiction with requirements substantially equivalent or more stringent than those of this State.
Q. What are the requirements for certification as a Soil Classifier-In-Training?
A. Applicants for Certification as a Soil Classifier-In-Training must have a passing score on the Fundamentals of Soil Science Examination, written by CSSE, and have one of the following qualifications:
(1) A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a curriculum approved by the Council; or
(2) A curriculum not approved by the Council and specific record of four years of soil classification experience of which two years are under the supervision of a registered soil classifier or someone who meets the minimum academic and experience requirements of a registered soil classifier; and
Certification as a Soil Classifier-In-Training is valid for a period of two years. Once this certification expires, applicants must pass the Professional Practice of Soil Science Examination, written by CSSE.
Q. Do I have to send a copy of my social security card?
A. Yes. The Department requires that all applicants send a copy of their Social Security Card and driver’s license, passport, or other state-issued, photo identification as part of the Verification of Lawful Presence.
Q. Who is responsible for sending out the Soil Reference Form, Soil Employment Verification Form, and License Verification Form?
A. It is the responsibility of the applicant to send these forms to the appropriate individuals/agencies. The completed forms can be returned directly to the Council office by email, FAX, or U.S. Mail.
Instructions for applying for Registration
Certification as Soil Classifier-in-Training:
In order to be eligible for licensure as a professional soil classifier-in-training, individuals must:
- Have a bachelor’s degree in a curriculum or equivalent approved by the Council, which includes 15 hours in soils courses, and
- A passing score on the Fundamentals of Soil Science Exam through SSSA.
When submitting an application to the Board Office for Licensure as a Soil Classifier-In-Training, the requirements are as follows:
(1) Complete the “Soil Application” in its entirety. Application must include notarized signature. Incomplete applications will be returned unprocessed.
(2) Check or Money Order only in the amount of $25. NO CASH IS ACCEPTED.
(3) Copy of your valid Driver’s License, State Issued photo ID or Passport
(4) Copy of your Social Security card.
(5) Three (3) professional references who are professional soil classifiers or soil scientists.
(6) A copy of a passing score report on the Fundamentals of Soil Science Examination.
Licensure by Exam or Comity:
Listed below are the instructions for applying for licensure as a professional soil classifier. When submitting an application to the Council Office, the requirements are as follows:
(1) Complete the “Soil Application” in its entirety. Application must include notarized signature. Incomplete applications will be returned unprocessed.
(2) Check or Money Order only in the amount of $25.
(3) Copy of your valid Driver’s License, State Issued photo ID or Passport
(4) Official College/University Transcripts - Transcripts must bear the seal of the institution and the signature of the Registrar.
(5) License verification form(s) (if you are applying for licensure by comity).
(6) Employment Verification form(s)
(7) Five (5) Professional Reference Forms, at least three of whom must be licensed soil classifiers or soil scientists with professional knowledge of your experience.
*** Comity is assessed on the individual basis and only once a complete application is submitted to the Council.
Licensure by Reinstatement
Licensees who allow their registration to lapse (fees are not paid by January 31st of the renewal year) must apply for reinstatement.
To apply for reinstatement, registrants must submit the following:
(1) Complete the “Soil Reinstatement Application” in its entirety. Application must include notarized signature. Incomplete applications will be returned unprocessed.
(2) Check or Money Order $250 made payable to the SC Soil Classifiers Advisory Council
(3) Copy of your valid Driver’s License, State Issued photo ID or Passport.
(4) Continuing Education Audit Form and copies of 30 hours of continuing education activities. (One of these hours must be in professional ethics, or a review of the Council law and regulations).