LICENSURE OF PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGISTS IN NEW YORK STATE: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACADEMIC GEOSCIENCE DEPARTMENTS

In November 2016, a law establishing the profession of geology in New York State (NYS) will take effect (A4753-2013 and S3810-2013). This legislation acknowledges geologists’ role in protecting public health, the environment, and the natural resources of NYS. Regulation through licensure represents a significant paradigm shift and creates a series of opportunities, and possibly challenges, for academic geoscience departments.

With effective communication and outreach, geology departments may be able to use licensure as a way to justify their financial and staffing needs, protect and expand their course offerings, and reinforce the relevance and importance of our profession. Although not mandated by NYS, student performance on the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) exam could be used as an assessment tool. This legislation emphasizes geology’s role as an essential and applied STEM field and will allow us to protect against further encroachment of less rigorous environmental science degrees.

Strategic planning may be necessary to allow departments, particularly smaller ones, to overcome some of the challenges that may arise from this legislation. Some of these challenges include making degree requirements licensure compliant, staffing to cover core curriculum areas, and balancing the applied and theoretical aspects of the curriculum.

Awareness of the licensure law, strategic planning, and effective communication with university administration will allow geoscience departments to capitalize on the opportunities afforded by the licensure bill.