Section 851.101 - General(a) This subchapter is promulgated pursuant to the Act, Texas Occupations Code (TOC), §1002.153, which directs the Appointed Board to adopt a code of professional conduct that is binding on all license holders under the Act and provides that the Appointed Board may enforce the code by imposing sanctions, as provided by the Act or this chapter. Except as otherwise noted, this subchapter applies only to situations which are related to the practice of professional geoscience.(b) Any person who holds a Professional Geoscientist (P.G.) license, is a Geoscience Firm, or who holds a certificate as a Geoscientist-in-Training (GIT) is responsible for understanding and complying with the Act, rules adopted by the Appointed Board, and any other law or rule pertaining to the practice of professional geoscience. Any person under application for, currently holding, or eligible to renew a license, registration, or certification issued by the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) is bound by the provisions of the Act and this chapter. The TBPG maintains jurisdiction over a license, registration, or certification it issues as long as the license, registration, or certification is current or renewable.(c) A P.G., a Firm, or a person who holds a certificate as a GIT having knowledge of any alleged violation of the Act and/or TBPG rules shall cooperate with the TBPG in furnishing such information as may be required.(d) A P.G., a Firm, or a person who holds a certificate as a GIT shall timely answer all inquiries concerning matters under the jurisdiction of the TBPG and shall fully comply with final decisions and orders of the Appointed Board. Failure to comply with these matters shall constitute a separate offense of misconduct subject to the penalties provided under the Act or this Chapter.(e) The Appointed Board may take disciplinary actions as provided in §1002.403 of the Act for reasons stated in §1002.402 of the Act.(f) This subchapter is not intended to suggest or define standards of care in civil actions against P.G.s, GIT, or Firms involving their professional conduct.(g) A P.G. or a Firm may donate professional geoscience services to charitable causes but must adhere to all provisions of the TBPG Act and rules for all geoscience services rendered, regardless of whether the P.G. or Firm is paid for the geoscience services.(h) A P.G. or a GIT who is presenting geoscientific fact testimony, including geoscientific interpretation, analysis, or conclusions, or recommending geoscientific work before any public body or court of law, whether under sworn oath or not, must adhere to all provisions of the Act and the rules of the TBPG in the provision of all professional geoscience services rendered, regardless of whether the P.G. is paid for the service.22 Tex. Admin. Code § 851.101
The provisions of this §851.101 adopted to be effective December 15, 2010, 35 TexReg 10695; amended to be effective January 1, 2014, 38 TexReg 9369; amended by Texas Register, Volume 39, Number 49, December 5, 2014, TexReg 9556, eff. 12/11/2014; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 41, Number 11, March 11, 2016, TexReg 1853, eff. 3/15/2016; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 43, Number 43, October 26, 2018, TexReg 7148, eff. 10/31/2018; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 47, Number 08, February 25, 2022, TexReg 0950, eff. 3/6/2022