(a) The Appointed Board is charged with the responsibility
of enforcing the Act. Through the TBPG, the Appointed Board enforces
the requirement of licensure as specified in the Act, the requirement
of Geoscience Firm registration as specified in the Act, and all other
requirements in the Act, the Code of Professional Conduct and other
TBPG rules under the authority of the Act. Unless the person is licensed
by the TBPG, a person may not:
(1) Use the term "Licensed Professional Geoscientist",
"Professional Geoscientist", or the initials "P.G." as part of a professional,
business, or commercial identification or title; or
(2) Otherwise represent to the public that the person
is qualified to:
(A) Practice as a geoscientist; or
(B) Engage in the public practice of geoscience.
(b) When the TBPG discovers or is provided information
that may indicate a violation of the Act or TBPG rules, the Board
staff may initiate a complaint, as provided by TOC §1002.154.
A member of the public may also submit a complaint, as provided by
TOC §1002.154. In order for a complaint to be initiated by the
agency or for information received from the public to be considered
a complaint, the information initiated by Board staff or provided
by the public must meet the criteria for a complaint provided in TOC §1002.202.
(c) Before the Appointed Board suspends or revokes
a license, the TBPG shall provide to the Respondent a notice of the
proposed action, an opportunity to show compliance, and an opportunity
for a hearing.
(d) When a contested action is taken by the Appointed
Board, the Respondent shall be informed of the Respondent's rights
in regard to filing for judicial review, as provided in the Administrative
Procedure Act (Government Code, Chapter 2001).
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