How to Maintain Soil Science Registration

A Professional Soil Scientist's registration expires on June 30th of the third (3rd) year following the date it was approved. To renew their registration, a Registered Professional Soil Scientist must:

  • Complete at least forty-five (45) CEUg credits
  • Complete at least three (3) CEUf credits by participating in an evaluation session
  • Report their completion of general continuing education units (CEUg) and in a field skills continuing education units (CEUf) to the IRSS office
  • Submit the registration fee of $240.00 to the IRSS office with a check made payable to OISC (Office of Indiana State Chemist).

Continuing Education Units (CEUs):

  • CEUg: Continuing Education Units, General Skills
  • CEUf: Continuing Education Units, Field Skills

Check your listing in the Roster and report any changes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in the IRSS Office.

CEUg:

During a three-year registration period, a Registered Soil Scientist must complete at least 45 CEUg credits. One CEUg credit is equivalent to approximately one hour of activity. There are five kinds of CEUg credits. The kinds and maximum credits for each kind are listed below. The activities listed after each upper case letters in the outline below are examples; similar activities may be included:

  1. Professional Meetings Attended (not including presentations - see #5 for presentations), no maximum CEUg credits:
    1. Professional conferences sponsored by organizations such as the Soil Science Society of America, Soil and Water Conservation Society, Indiana Association of Professional Soil Classifiers, Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professionals Association, and other professional conferences related to soil science
    2. Short courses
    3. Workshops
    4. Seminars
    5. Clinics
    6. Distance Education
  2. Public and Professional Education, 30 CEUg credits maximum:
    1. Assisting in high school or college soil judging (evaluation) contests
    2. Educating K-12 students in soil and water sciences
    3. Educating onsite wastewater professionals in soil and water science
    4. Administering assessment of field skills sessions
  3. Self-Directed Study in Soil Science, 30 CEUg credits maximum:
    1. Books, journal articles and other printed material.
    2. Videos
    3. educational television programs
    4. Internet presentations
  4. Community Service that involves soil, water quality, land use or similar topics, 15 CEUg credits maximum:
    1. Serving on boards
    2. serving on governmental committees
    3. Participating in community organizations
  5. Author or Presenter (report time of preparation and of presentations), 15 CEUg credits maximum, as follows:
    1. Articles written
    2. Presentations made
    3. Conferences organized

CEUf:

During a three-year registration period, a RSS must participate in an evaluation session.

The Board will arrange for a minimum of one CEUf session each year. The purpose of the CEUf session is to maintain and improve the field skills of registrants. Interaction between the participants and official judges will be encouraged. CEUf credits used to meet the minimum CEUf requirement do not count toward CEUg credits. However, if a RSS participates in more than the minimum CEUf sessions, the extra CEUf credits may be applied to the CEUg requirement.

The Board will tabulate the scores of each registrant and will periodically review the records. These scores are available only to the registered soil scientist and the Board. If the scores for a RSS are sufficiently low, in the judgment of the Board, to hamper his/her professional work, the board may recommend that the RSS participate in more than the minimum number of CEUf sessions or do other remedial work.