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Student Guide to Geologic Licensing
in California
California Board of Registration for
Geologists and Geophysicists
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| Anyone who offers to
practice or practices geology or geophysics for the public in
California must be licensed as a geologist or geophysicist.
These paragraphs are an introduction to the three
steps to licensing as a Registered Geologist in California: Education,
Experience, and Examination. |
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| EDUCATION |
| To qualify to take the Registered
Geologist examination, an applicant must graduate with a major in
geology or complete 45 quarter units in geologic science courses leading
to a major in geology. At least 36 of the 45 units must be upper division
or graduate courses. |
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| ACADEMIC
COURSES |
| The Board considers the following
courses to be essential to the geologic profession and to best prepare
students to take the licensing examination. The Board also considers
these courses a solid foundation for any specialty in the field of
geology |
- Physical Geology
- Historical Geology
- Mineralogy
- Petrology
- Petrography
- Structural Geology
- Stratigraphy
- Field Geology
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| EXPERIENCE |
| An applicant must have the
following combined academic experience and professional geologic work:
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Education
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Professional Geologic Work
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No Degree
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7 years
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BS/BA
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5 years
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MS/MA+
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3 years
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| If professional geologic
work is not gained under the supervision of a Registered Geologist
or Registered Civil or Petroleum Engineer, the applicant must have
a minimum of five years experience in a responsible position. Illegal,
unlicensed practice of geology is not recognized as qualifying experience
for registration. |
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| Professional Geologic
Work |
| Professional geologic work
is defined as work performed at a professional level rather than subprofessional
or apprentice level and requires the application of scientific knowledge,
principles and methods to geologic problems through the exercise of
individual initiative and judgment in investigating, measuring, interpreting
and reporting on the physical phenomena of the Earth. Implicit in
this definition are the recognition of professional responsibility
and integrity and the acknowledgement of minimal supervision. Professional
geologic work specifically does not include such routine activities
as drafting, sampling, sample preparation, routine laboratory work,
etc. where the elements of initiative, scientific judgment and decision
making are lacking, nor does it include activities that do not use
scientific methods to process and interpret geologic data. Further,
it specifically does not include mining, mining engineering or other
engineering and/or other physical sciences wherein geologic investigation,
analysis and interpretation are minimal or lacking. |
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| Responsible Position |
| Responsible position means
a position whereby a person having individual control and direction
of a geologic project exercises individual initiative, skill and judgment
in the investigation and interpretation of geologic features or the
supervision of such projects |
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EXAMINATION |
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| ASBOG |
| The National Association
of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) is a nonprofit organization through
which state geology registration boards act together to coordinate
and improve regulation of the practice of geology. One of ASBOG's
principal duties is to develop standardized written examinations for
determining qualifications of applicants seeking licensure as professional
geologists.* |
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| The Examination |
| Beginning in spring 2000,
the Board will administer the ASBOG examination with a one-hour supplemental
California-specific examination. Examinations are administered in
the fall and spring of each year. Currently ASBOG provides member
boards with two multiple-choice examinations - the Fundamentals of
Geology (FG) and the Practice of Geology (PG) examinations. The FG
is designed to test skills acquired in an academic setting. The PG
examination emphasizes skills and knowledge acquired or expanded in
a practice or job.* |
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| Eligibility |
| The Board will evaluate each
applicant's education and experience. If the application is approved,
the applicant will be scheduled for the next regularly scheduled examination.
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WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE BOARD OF
REGISTRATION FOR GEOLOGISTS AND GEOPHYSICISTS?
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| Mission |
The mission of the Board
of Registration for Geologists and Geophysicists is to continually
enhance the quality, value and availability of geological and geophysical
services to the people of the State of California.
*ASBOG 1999 "Professional Geologists' Candidate Handbook |
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| The Board |
- Protects the health, safety, and welfare of the
public by testing and licensing geologists and geophysicists.
- Deters negligent, incompetent, and fraudulent
practices through licensure, regulation, and disciplinary action.
- Provides the public with information concerning
disciplinary actions against geologists or geophysicists it may
hire.
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Do you have questions about licensing requirements
and the examination? |
| For additional information about: |
- Registered Geologist Examination
- Requirements for Licensure as a Geologist
- Examinations for licensure as a Registered Geophysicist,
Certified Engineering Geologist, or Certified Hydrogeologist
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Please contact the Board
at: |
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive Suite
300A
Sacramento, CA 95833
Phone: (916) 263-2113
Fax: (916) 263-2099
E-mail: geology@dca.ca.gov
Website: www.dca.gov/geology |
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For information about ASBOG,
please contact:
P.O. Box 11591
Columbia, SC 29211-1591
E-mail: asbog@asbog.org
Website: www.asbog.org |
