Act 460 of 1975 of the State of Arkansas established the profession of Soil Classifying and provided for the regulation of the profession by the Arkansas State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. The act established standards and requirements for licensing soil scientists and provided that a licensed soil scientist be in charge of all practice of soil science by a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship in Arkansas.

Act 691 of 2023 abolished the Arkansas State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers and transferred its authority to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.

The practice of soil science encompasses many activities related to environmental quality. These include investigating and evaluating the interactions among water, soil, nutrients, plants, and other living organisms. The preparation of assessments on subsurface ground absorption waste disposal systems, land application of municipal and industrial wastes, soil recommendation of residuals, soil erodibility and sedimentation, and identification of hydric soils are part of the definition of the practice of soil science. The performance of such activities is clearly related to the public welfare.

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Educational Requirements:

• A full four-year course of study leading to a Bachelor of Science (or equivalent) or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a major in the pertinent field of agricultural or physical science.
• 30 semester hours or equivalenting biological, physical, and earth science with a minimum of 15 semester hours in soil science. Soil science shall include at least one course in soil classification and genesis with field instruction in site evaluation and writing soil description. The 15 semester hours in soil science shall be acceptable toward a major in soil science at the institution offering these courses or at another accredited institution in the event the offering institution does not grant a major in soil science.

Experience Requirements:

Soil Classifier-In-Training Requirements:

Applicants for soil classifier-in-training who have completed an approved soil curriculum are not required to have experience.

Applicants for soil classifier-in-training who have completed an unapproved soils curriculum are required to have one year of soil survey field mapping experience in the National Cooperative Soil Survey Program or one year of soil survey field mapping, site evaluation, and description writing experience under the supervision of a registered professional soil classifier as defined in the following. The definition of supervision for the purposes of these rules shall mean direct on-site observation of and participation in all training exercises, unless otherwise approved by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Division.

Soil Classifier Holding Valid Soil Classifier-In-Training Certificate Requirements:

Applicants holding a valid soil classifier-in-training certificate consist of one year of soil survey field mapping experience in the National Cooperative Soil Survey Program, or one year of soil survey field mapping, site evaluation, and description writing experience under the supervision of a registered professional soil classifier and a demonstrated ability to be independently productive. Each soil classifier-in-training not receiving their experience in the National Cooperative Soil Survey Program must prepare a training plan with their supervisor and submit it to the Natural Resources Division for approval prior to the beginning of the training period. At the end of the training period, the supervisor must submit signed documentation to support completion of the approved training plan including, but not limited to, training dates, training locations, and description of training. The supervisor must also submit a signed letter stating that the training is complete and that the trainee has received sufficient experience to apply for registration as a soil classifier.

Soil Classifier Requirements:

Applicants for soil classifier positions must have two years of soil survey field mapping experience in the National Cooperative Soil Survey Program and a demonstrated ability to be independently productive.

Application for Registration

Application for registration as a soil classifier or certification as a soil classifier-in-training shall be made on a form provided by the Natural Resources Division. The applicant shall answer all the questions on the form. Among other things, the applicant shall provide the Natural Resources Division with the following:

• References – Five total
  • Three of whom shall be professional soil classifiers
  • Two shall be character references (applicants for soil classifiers-in-training shall provide three)
• Certified Transcripts – All college or university courses attempted
• Experience—Applicants are to provide a descriptive record of their present and past employment. Applicants holding valid soil classifier-in-training certificates are to provide detailed records of work experience in soil classification, including examples of work and names of professional soil classifiers they worked under. Applicants are also to provide any other information that relates to their competence as a soil classifier or soil classifier-in-training, such as reports published, professional organizations, etc.

*The Natural Resources Division, at its discretion, may ask for additional information, or ask the applicant to appear before the Natural Resources Division. The Natural Resources Division may, with sufficient reason, waive any requirement not specifically made by the Act.

Examinations

Fundamentals of Soil Classification and Principles and Practice of Soil Classification

Applicants who meet the other requirements may take both written examinations on the same date. Examinations shall be held on dates and at locations designated by the Natural Resources Division. Each applicant shall be notified in writing at least 20 days in advance as to the date and location of the appropriate examination. Examinations shall be prepared and administered by persons designated by the Natural Resources Division. Applicants are required to score a minimum of seventy-five percent to successfully pass.

Field Examinations

Field examinations shall be held on dates and at locations designated by the Natural Resources Division. Each applicant shall be notified in writing at least 20 days in advance as to the date and location of the examination. The field examination shall consist of three parts:

            1. A field mapping exercise

            2. Writing a complete, detailed soil profile description

            3. Making on-site interpretations for specific uses

Applicants are required to score a minimum cumulative score of seventy-five percent to successfully pass.

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Fees

Applications	$20.00
Initial Registration, Soil Classifier	$60.00
Initial Certification, Soil Classifier-In-Training	$50.00	valid for four years
Reexamination	$20.00
Registration Renewal, Soil Classifier	$20.00
Late Renewals: Soil Classifier	$30.00	plus $2.00 per month for each expired month

Late renewals may be affected for up to three years. They are effective on August 1, following the June in which the certificate expired.

Temporary Permits:
Initial	$75.00
Renewal	$60.00

Forms

Arkansas Professional Soil Classifier Renewal Form

Change of Contact Information Form

Mary Elizabeth Lea
Agri Program Specialist
Arkansas Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Division
10421 W Markham St.
Little Rock, AR 72205-2190
(501) 682-1611 Main | (501)682-3991 Fax
(501) 682-3953 Office | (501)529-2789 Work Cell
mary.lea@agriculture.arkansas.gov
agriculture.arkansas.gov