Practice of professional geology by a firm, corporation, or partnership.

The practice of, or offer to practice, professional geology by individual professional geologists licensed under the provisions of this chapter through a firm, corporation, or partnership offering geological services to the public through individually licensed professional geologists as agents, employees, officers, or partners thereof is permitted subject to the provisions of this chapter, if:

(1) At all times that it offers geological services to the public, the firm, corporation, or partnership is qualified by one or more individuals who hold a current, active license as a professional geologist in the state and are serving as a geologist of record for the firm, corporation, or partnership. A geologist of record may be any principal officer or employee of such firm or corporation, or any partner or employee of such partnership, who holds a current, active license as a professional geologist in this state, or any other Florida-licensed professional geologist with whom the firm, corporation, or partnership has entered into a long-term, ongoing relationship, as defined by rule of the board, to serve as one of its geologists of record. The geologist of record shall notify the department of any changes in the relationship or identity of that geologist of record within 30 days after such change.

(2) All final geological papers or documents involving the practice of the profession of geology which have been prepared or approved for the use of such firm, corporation, or partnership, for delivery to any person for public record with the state, shall be dated and bear the signature and seal of the professional geologist or professional geologists who prepared or approved them.

(3) Except as provided in s. 558.0035, the fact that a licensed professional geologist practices through a corporation or partnership does not relieve the registrant from personal liability for negligence, misconduct, or wrongful acts committed by her or him. The partnership and all partners are jointly and severally liable for the negligence, misconduct, or wrongful acts committed by their agents, employees, or partners while acting in a professional capacity. Any officer, agent, or employee of a corporation is personally liable and accountable only for negligent acts, wrongful acts, or misconduct committed by her or him or committed by any person under her or his direct supervision and control, while rendering professional services on behalf of the corporation. The personal liability of a shareholder of a corporation, in her or his capacity as shareholder, may be no greater than that of a shareholder-employee of a corporation incorporated under chapter 607. The corporation is liable up to the full value of its property for any negligent acts, wrongful acts, or misconduct committed by any of its officers, agents, or employees while they are engaged on behalf of the corporation in the rendering of professional services.