THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE BOARDS OF GEOLOGY (ASBOG®) AND GEOSCIENCE LICENSURE IN THE UNITED STATES

The National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG^®) held its first annual meeting in 1990. The groundwork was laid with a series of meetings beginning in 1988, involving the boards from four states (South and North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida), which registered, certified, or licensed geologists. These states sought to discuss reciprocity and common administrative issues. The scope of these meetings expanded to include discussions of a national focus, such as the need for a national licensure examination. Today, ASBOG^® consists of 28 member states and Puerto Rico with at least three additional states actively pursuing licensure legislation. Our member boards have issued over 39,000 licenses.

Geology involves complex and diverse issues, but the practice of geology exhibits a great deal of commonality among the member states. This commonality allows ASBOG^® to prepare and maintain national examinations covering both the practice of geology (PG Examination), and the fundamentals of geology (FG Examination). These examinations will be discussed in detail in a subsequent presentation. Their over-arching purpose is to promote professional geological competence and ethical practice to insure that the health, safety, and welfare of the public are protected.

As ASBOG^® has continued to grow, new challenges have appeared. Among these is the eventual need for specialty, or modular examinations to complement a modified PG Examination. The modular PG examination would emphasize more detailed testing of certain skill sets. We are largely a volunteer organization and our financial security has never been in question. However, ASBOG^® has grown, and we recognize the need for additional paid staff and consultants to maintain more complex examinations and to respond to greater administrative demands. Therefore, in 2008 we formed the ASBOG Foundation as a way for concerned individuals and companies to sponsor our efforts.

Finally, we have seen a softening of the undergraduate geology curriculum in some U.S. colleges and universities to the point where the definition of a fundamental degree in geology has become blurred. As an objective standard, the ASBOG^® FG examination could be a benchmark for departmental performance as well as an exit exam for prospective graduates.