Sec. 1002.004.  APPLICATION OF CHAPTER.  (a)  In this section:
(1)  "Driller" has the meaning assigned by Section 1901.001.
(2)  "Engineer" has the meaning assigned by Section 1001.002.
(3)  "Installer" has the meaning assigned by Section 1902.001.
(4)  "Licensed driller" means a person who holds a license issued by the state under Chapter 1902.
(5)  "Licensed installer" means a person who holds a license issued under Chapter 1902.
(6)  "Practice of engineering" has the meaning assigned by Section 1001.003.
(7)  "Professional surveying" has the meaning assigned by Section 1071.002.
(b)  This chapter does not authorize the practice of professional surveying by a licensed geoscientist.  This chapter does not apply to a qualified and registered surveyor who confines the surveyor's practice to acts of surveying allowed under Chapter 1071.
(c)  This chapter does not authorize the practice of engineering by a licensed geoscientist.
(d)  This chapter does not require an engineer, or a person acting under the supervision of an engineer, who performs service or work that is both engineering and geoscience to be licensed as a geoscientist or to work under the supervision of a licensed geoscientist.
(e)  A recommendation, design, analysis, redesign, or review and evaluation, the supervision, or a summary analysis of an engineered structure or work, the performance of which requires engineering education, training, and experience in the application of special knowledge of mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences, is engineering and is subject to Chapter 1001.
(f)  This chapter does not permit a licensed geoscientist to perform an engineering analysis supporting an engineering design unless the action is under the supervision of an engineer.
(g)  This chapter does not permit a licensed geoscientist to provide construction quality control and evaluation, to perform materials engineering and testing, or to design, develop, or perform engineering review and evaluation of engineering plans and engineering specifications for an engineered structure or work unless the action is under the supervision of an engineer.
(h)  With regard to an environmental and pollution remediation project, this chapter:
(1)  permits the characterization, study, appraisal, investigation, analysis, and geoscientific review and evaluation of and the making of recommendations regarding the geoscientific components of the project by a licensed geoscientist;  and
(2)  does not permit the design, development, or performance of engineering review and evaluation of a component of the project consisting of an engineered structure, work, or process or a related constructed improvement by a licensed geoscientist.
(i)  With regard to a geoscientific investigation of geological conditions affecting an engineered structure, work, or process, this chapter:
(1)  permits the characterization, study, appraisal, investigation, analysis, and geoscientific review and evaluation of and the making of recommendations regarding the geoscientific components of the engineered structure, work, or process by a licensed geoscientist;  and
(2)  does not permit the design, development, or performance of engineering review and evaluation of the engineered structure, work, or process or a related constructed improvement by a licensed geoscientist.
(j)  The board and the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors by rule, memorandum of understanding, or other appropriate procedure or document shall jointly resolve any conflict between this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter and Chapter 1001 or a rule adopted under that chapter.
(k)  This chapter does not authorize a licensed geoscientist to act as or offer to perform services as a driller or installer.  This chapter does not apply to a licensed driller or licensed installer who confines the driller's or installer's activities to activities regulated under Chapter 1901 or 1902, respectively.
(l)  The board and the executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation by rule, memorandum of understanding, or other appropriate procedure or document shall jointly resolve any conflict between this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter and Chapter 51, 1901, or 1902 or a rule adopted under one of those chapters.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 14A.004(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by: 
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1232 (H.B. 1523), Sec. 2.12, eff. September 1, 2019.