Section 3064 - Disciplinary OrdersFor violations of Business and Professions Code section 7860 which result in an order issued in accordance with Chapters 4.5 and 5 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code against a professional geologist and/or a professional geophysicist license, the following provisions shall apply to disciplinary orders contained in decisions of the Board:
(a) The minimum disciplinary order shall be reproval. The maximum disciplinary order shall be revocation of the license.(b) If warranted by extenuating and/or mitigating factors in the matter, the disciplinary order may be stayed by an express condition that the respondent comply with probationary conditions. The minimum time period in which the respondent shall have to comply with the conditions shall be two years. For purposes of this section, this time period shall be known as the "period of probation."(c) All decisions containing stayed disciplinary orders as described in subdivision (b) shall include the following probationary conditions:(1) The respondent shall obey all laws and regulations related to the practices of professional geology and geophysics.(2) The respondent shall submit such special reports as the Board may require.(3) The period of probation shall be tolled during the time the respondent is practicing exclusively outside the state of California. If, during the period of probation, the respondent practices exclusively outside the state of California, the respondent shall immediately notify the Board in writing.(4) If the respondent violates the probationary conditions in any respect, the Board, after giving the respondent notice and the opportunity to be heard, may vacate the stay and reinstate the disciplinary order which was stayed. If, during the period of probation, an accusation or petition to vacate stay is filed against the respondent, or if the matter has been submitted to the Office of the Attorney General for the filing of such, the Board shall have continuing jurisdiction until all matters are final, and the period of probation shall be extended until all matters are final.(5) Upon successful completion of all of the probationary conditions and the expiration of the period of probation, the respondent's license shall be unconditionally restored.(d) All decisions containing stayed disciplinary orders as described in subdivision (b) may include one or more of the following probationary conditions:(1) The respondent's license shall be suspended for a period not to exceed two years. If a suspension of the license is ordered, it shall begin on the effective date of the decision.(2) The respondent shall successfully complete and pass a course in professional ethics, approved in advance by the Board or its designee. The probationary condition shall include a time period in which this course shall be successfully completed which time period shall be at least 60 days less than the time period ordered for the period of probation.(3) Within 30 days of the effective date of the decision, the respondent shall provide the Board with evidence that he or she has provided all persons or entities with whom he or she has a contractual or employment relationship such that the relationship is in the area of practice of professional geology and/or professional geophysics in which the violation occurred with a copy of the decision and order of the Board and shall provide the Board with the name and business address of each person or entity required to be so notified. During the period of probation, the respondent may be required to provide the same notification to each new person or entity with whom he or she has a contractual or employment relationship such that the relationship is in the area of practice of professional geology and/or professional geophysics in which the violation occurred and shall report to the Board the name and address of each person or entity so notified.(4) The respondent shall provide verifiable proof to the Board that restitution has been paid as ordered. The probationary condition shall include a time period in which the verifiable proof shall be provided to the Board which time period shall be at least 60 days less than the time period ordered for the period of probation.(e) In addition to the conditions as may be ordered pursuant to subdivisions (c) and/or (d), the following conditions shall be included for the following specific violations:(1) Incompetency in the practice of professional geology and/or professional geophysics: (A) The respondent shall successfully complete and pass, with a grade of "C" or better, a minimum of one and a maximum of three college-level courses, approved in advance by the Board or its designee. Such courses shall be specifically related to the area of violation. For purposes of this subdivision, "college-level course" shall mean a course offered by a community college or a four-year university of three semester units or the equivalent; "college-level course" does not include seminars. The probationary condition shall include a time period in which the course(s) shall be successfully completed which time period shall be at least 60 days less than the time period ordered for the period of probation.(B) The respondent shall take and achieve the passing score for the Professional Geologist or Professional Geophysicist examination, provided that in the event the respondent holds multiple licenses, the Board shall select the examination in the area of practice of professional geology and/or professional geophysics in which the violation occurred and in the area of professional geology and/or professional geophysics in which the respondent is licensed. The Board or its designee may select the specific examination questions such that the questions relate to the specific area of violation and comprise an examination of the same duration as that required of an applicant for licensure. The respondent shall be required to pay the application and examination fees as described in Section 3005. The probationary condition shall include a time period in which the examination(s) shall be successfully completed which time period shall be at least 60 days less than the time period ordered for the period of probation.(C) During the period of probation, the respondent may practice professional geology and/or professional geophysics only under the review of a professional geologist and/or professional geophysicist licensed in the same branch as the respondent. This person or persons shall be approved in advance by the Board or its designee. Such reviewing professional geologist and/or professional geophysicist shall initial every stamped or sealed document in close proximity to the respondent's stamp or seal.(2) Negligence in the practice of professional geology and/or professional geophysics: (A) The respondent shall successfully complete and pass, with a grade of "C" or better, a minimum of one and a maximum of three college-level courses, approved in advance by the Board or its designee. Such courses shall be specifically related to the area of violation. For purposes of this subdivision, "college-level course" shall mean a course offered by a community college or a four-year university of three semester units or the equivalent; "college-level course" does not include seminars. The probationary condition shall include a time period in which the course(s) shall be successfully completed which time period shall be at least 60 days less than the time period ordered for the period of probation.(3) Violation and/or breach of contract in the practice of professional geology and/or professional geophysics: (A) The respondent shall successfully complete and pass, with a grade of "C" or better, a minimum of one and a maximum of three college-level courses, approved in advance by the Board or its designee. Such courses shall be specifically related to the area of violation. For purposes of this subdivision, "college-level course" shall mean a course offered by a community college or a four-year university of three semester units or the equivalent; "college-level course" does not include seminars. The probationary condition shall include a time period in which the course(s) shall be successfully completed which time period shall be at least 60 days less than the time period ordered for the period of probation. In addition to the disciplinary orders described in this section, all decisions shall address recovery of the Board's investigation and enforcement costs, as described in and authorized by Business and Professions Code section 125.3.
Notwithstanding this section, non-conforming terms and conditions may be included as part of the disciplinary order, including such other further or lesser action as the Board deems appropriate, in the interest of protecting the public health, safety, and welfare.
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 16, § 3064
1. New section filed 6-27-97; operative 6-27-97 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 97, No. 26).
2. Amendment filed 5-18-99; operative 6-17-99 (Register 99, No. 21).
3. Amendment of section heading, repealer and new section and amendment of NOTE filed 6-16-2014; operative 10-1-2014 (Register 2014, No. 25). Note: Authority cited: Section 7818, Business and Professions Code; and Section 11400.20, Government Code. Reference: Sections 125.3, 494, 7860, 7861, 7863 and 7872, Business and Professions Code; and Sections 11400.20, 11415.60, 11425.50 and 11519, Government Code.
1. New section filed 6-27-97; operative 6-27-97 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 97, No. 26).
2. Amendment filed 5-18-99; operative 6-17-99 (Register 99, No. 21).
3. Amendment of section heading, repealer and new section and amendment of Note filed 6-16-2014; operative 10/1/2014 (Register 2014, No. 25).