Reciprocity and Comity - Defined
According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, reciprocity refers to equivalent or interchangeable things; comity (in law) is the principle by which courts in one jurisdiction may accept decisions made under the laws and decisions of another jurisdiction. Although the concepts are similar, they are not quite the same, and even ASBOG states have not been able to agree on a uniform application of reciprocity/comity. The main reason for the difficulty is that each state’s law (or province, territory) is slightly different than the others.
The Geologists Registration Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 81-3501 to 81-3541) lists four requirements for professional registration: 1) character; 2) B.S. degree in Geology; 3) 5 years of post-baccalaureate experience working in geology; and 4) passing scores on examinations covering the Fundamentals of Geology and the Practice of Geology. Although the Act does not specifically define either reciprocity or comity, it does state that the first three criteria…
“may be considered by the board to be fulfilled if the applicant maintains a current certificate of licensure to practice geology issued pursuant to the authority of any state or possession of the United States or the District of Columbia based on requirements that do not conflict with the Geologists Regulation Act and were of a standard not lower than that specified in the applicable licensure in effect in this state at the time the certification was issued.”
In other words, we are authorized to offer reciprocity (but not comity) provided the applicant has been licensed elsewhere on the same basis as Nebraska registrants, and has taken the ASBOG Exams or their equivalent.