Soil Classifier Registration Information
SC Code of Laws, 40-65-10
The Professional Soil Classifiers Law was enacted in 1974. The purpose of the Act, through examination and registration, is to ensure competence and professionalism in the field of soil classification while protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public. A soil classifier must be registered by the State of South Carolina in order to practice the profession of soil classification.
To be registered, a Professional Soil Classifier must have a BS Degree in soil science or one of the natural resource sciences with at least 15 semester hours in soils-related courses. Two years of field experience under the direct supervision of a licensed Professional Soil Classifier is also required. Professional Soil Classifiers and Soil Classifiers-In-Training must take written examinations on National Cooperative Soil Survey standards, Soil Taxonomy, and interpretation of soil data. All Soil Classifiers must be approved by the Soil Classifiers Advisory Council before registration.
There are two categories of registration for professional soil classification:
- Soil Classifier In-Training
- Registered Professional Soil Classifier
The Professional Soil Classifiers Program requires that all applicants must successfully complete the appropriate portions of the ARCPACS National Examination, offered by the Soil Science Society of America. Applicants for Soil Classifier-In-Training must complete the Fundamentals portion of the examination. Applicants for a license to practice Soil Classifying must complete the Fundamentals and Professional Practice Sections. The examination is offered twice a year at Clemson University, and you may register for the exam directly through the Soil Science Society of America. To register for the ARCPACS or obtain study materials, please visit their website at http://www.soils.org/csse/.
Reference manuals for soil classifier exams:
- Soil Taxonomy
- Soil Survey Manual
- National Soils Handbook
Registered Soil Classifiers must renew their registration yearly. Renewal forms are available online or may be obtained by contacting:
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Soil Classifier Registration Program
P.O. Box 167
Columbia, SC 29202
803-734-9131
E-mail: Sherri F. Moorer, Program Assistant
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