Requirements for Certification as a Soil Classifier
Certification administered by the Georgia Department of Human Resources
There are four requirements for certification as a soil classifier by the Georgia Department of Human Resources; education, experience, successful completion of the soil classifier certification examination, and coverage by an errors and omissions insurance policy. Continued certification requires proof of minimum continuing education. Soil classifier certification is for the sole purpose of designating individuals qualified to evaluate soil and site suitability for installation of on-site wastewater management systems. Soil evaluations for other purposes may require other types of certification or registration.
Education:
A B.S. degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, or related field and a minimum of 15 semester or 25 quarter hours of courses in soil science including one course in pedology (soil morphology, genesis, classification, and interpretation.
Other than the course in pedology, any course in soil science is acceptable. Suggested courses (UGA courses) are Soils and Hydrology, Pedology, Soil Physics, Soil Chemistry, and Field Soil and Site Assessment. However, any soil science courses are acceptable.
In Georgia, other than general
introductory courses in Geology or Geography departments of a few institutions,
the only universities that offer soil science courses are the University of
Georgia (Department of Soil and Crop Sciences; www.cropsoil.uga.edu) and
There are a number of institutions
in surrounding states that also offer soil science courses.
Soil Classifier Certification Examination:
After education requirements have been met and six months of work experience have been completed, application can be made to the soil classifiers classification board to be allowed to sit for the soil classifiers examination. If the applicant successfully passes the exam, they become a soil classifier in training (SCIT). The only requirement for moving from a SCIT to a certified soil classifier is completion of experience requirements and evidence that the SCIT is doing acceptable work.
Experience:
Experience requirements for certification as a soil classifier are four years full time experience mapping, classifying, and interpreting soils in the field. A variety of employment opportunities are available that will fulfill the experience requirements for certification. Evaluation of acceptability of experience and length of experience is by the Soil Classifiers Certification Committee and is made on a case-by-case basis.
Errors and Omission Insurance:
Certification as a soil classifier requires annual proof that the soil classifier is covered by $1,000,000 of errors and omissions insurance.
Continuing Education:
Certification as a soil classifier or SCIT must be renewed every two years. In addition to evidence that the soil classifier or SCIT is doing acceptable work, the applicant for re-certification must provide evidence of at least 40 hours of continuing education activities.
For additional information, contact:
Greg Harless
DHR-Public Health
Environmental Health Section
16th Floor
(404)
657-6522
Soil Science Courses Offered at the
CRSS(FORS)
3060-3060L. Soils and Hydrology. 4 hours. 3 hours lecture and 2 hours lab
per week.
Not open to students with credit in CRSS 3050-3050L.
Prerequisite: CHEM 1211 and CHEM 1211L.
Soil formation and morphology, physical and chemical properties, soil-water
interactions, hydrologic processes and water balance in the landscape, and soil
and water quality. Emphasis on landscape management of soil and water resources
for both productivity and environmental quality.
Offered fall and spring semesters every year.
CRSS 4520/6520. Field Soil and Site Assessment. 3
hours.
Undergraduate prerequisite: (CRSS 4540/6540-4540L/6540L and CRSS 4600/6600-4600L/6600L)
or permission of department.
How to assess a site to determine if the soil places any limitations on land
use. Topics covered include soil sampling, soil landscapes, wetland and hydric
soils, septic systems, and land application of waste.
Offered spring semester every year.
CRSS
4540/6540-4540L/6540L. Pedology. 3 hours. 2 hours lecture and 3 hours lab
per week.
Undergraduate prerequisite: CRSS 3050-3050L or CRSS(FORS) 3060-3060L or
permission of department.
Soils as a natural component of the ecosystem, including morphology, landscape
distribution, formation, identification of diagnostic horizons and features,
and classification.
Non-traditional format: A one-day trip to
Offered fall semester every year.
CRSS
4590/6590-4590L/6590L. Soil Fertility. 4 hours. 3 hours lecture and 2 hours
lab per week.
Undergraduate prerequisite: CRSS 3050-3050L or CRSS(FORS)3060-3060L or
permission of major.
Soil conditions affecting availability of plant nutrients; methods of
determining soil fertility and insufficiency of plant nutrients in soils, and
interpretation of chemical and biological measurements as related to fertility
maintenance and good soil management.
Offered fall semester every year.
CRSS
4600/6600-4600L/6600L. Soil Physics. 4 hours. 3 hours lecture and 2 hours
lab per week.
Undergraduate prerequisite: [(CRSS 3050-3050L or CRSS(FORS) 3060-3060L) and
MATH 2200 and (PHYS 1111-1111L or PHYS 1211-1211L)].
Graduate prerequisite: MATH 2210.
Physical properties and process of soils. Water, heat, and solute movement in
soils.
Offered fall semester every year.
CRSS(MIBO)
4610/6610-4610L/6610L. Soil Microbiology. 3 hours. 1 hour lecture and 4
hours lab per week.
Microorganisms in soil and their effect on nutrient recycling, especially as it
relates to environmental quality and crop production.
Offered spring semester every year.
CRSS
4660/6660-4660L/6660L. Chemical Analysis of Environmental Samples. 3 hours.
2 hours lecture and 3 hours lab per week.
Undergraduate prerequisite: CHEM 2300 and CHEM 2300L.
Analysis of soils, sediment, rocks, water for important organic and inorganic
contaminants. Chromatography, atomic adsorption, and plasma emission
spectroscopy, field sampling and measurements. Quality assurance/quality
control, data reporting, computer use in analysis.
Offered spring semester every year.
CRSS
4670/6670. Environmental Soil Chemistry. 3 hours.
Undergraduate prerequisite: CRSS 3050-3050L or CRSS(FORS) 3060-3060L or
permission of department.
Environmental soil chemistry applies and extends the concepts of chemistry and
physics to the investigation of problems related to the physical, chemical, and
biological characteristics of soil and their importance in relation to the
management of contaminants, pesticides, and production inputs.
Offered spring semester every year.
CRSS
4670L/6670L. Environmental Soil Chemistry Laboratory. 1 hour. 2 hours lab
per week.
Undergraduate prerequisite: (CRSS 3050-3050L or CRSS(FORS) 3060-3060L) and CHEM
2300 and CHEM 2300L.
Undergraduate corequisite: CRSS 4670/6670.
Laboratory evaluation of soil chemical properties.
Offered spring semester every year.