IMPACT OF PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGIST LICENSURE ON ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND FUTURE EMLOYMENT

Thirty states now require geologists who work in the public practice of geology to be Licensed (Registered) Professional Geologists, PG, just as the engineering profession does. To be the “Geologist in Responsible Charge” of any project that impacts the public’s health, safety or welfare or the environment, the geologist must be registered as a PG. Registration requires a basic 4-year undergraduate degree in geology/geoscience with at least 30 semester hours in geology/geoscience, 20 hours of which must be upper division and passing the National Association of State Boards of Geology, ASBOG, Fundamentals of Geology examination to qualify for “Geologist-in-Training, GIT, followed by 5-years of appropriate professional experience and passage of the ASBOG Professional Practice Examination. Passing the ASBOG Fundamentals examination determines that the candidate is “minimally qualified as a geologist”; unfortunately the average national pass rate for this examination is less than 60 percent. The blueprint for the fundamentals examination includes eight task domains: General & Field Geology (20%); Mineralogy, Petrology & Geochemistry (11%); Sedimentology, Stratigraphy & Paleontology (12%); Geomorphology, Surficial Processes & Quaternary Geology (13%); Structure, Tectonics & Seismology (11%); Hydrogeology (11%); Engineering Geology (11%) and Economic Geology & Energy Resources (11%). A total of 43 specific geological tasks are distributed within the eight domains. The incorporation of each of the 43 tasks within various upper division courses results in the need to develop about 4 specific laboratory/classroom activities per class to provide the required knowledge base. Improving the performance of geology graduates on the Fundamentals Examination will greatly improve the long-term careers of our graduates and enhance the professional level of Geology.