SO HOW DOES PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE IN GEOSCIENCE IMPACT ME?

The professional licensure of Geologists, Geophysists and Soil Scientists in Texas became a reality on May 11, 2001 when Governor Perry signed Senate Bill 405 establishing the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists. Licensure is an exercise of the Legislative Police Power established in the Constitution to protect the health, safety and well-being of the public by establishing a legal mechanism to ensure the public that the geoscientist is qualified. Professional Geoscientists are now on a parallel with Professional Engineers because each must be licensed in Texas to provide services to the public. The qualifications required to be licensed as a Professional Geologist, PG in Texas include: 1) a BS or BA degree in Geology, with a minimum of 30-hours of coursework, 20 upper division; 2) Pass a Fundamentals of Geology Examination (ASBOG National Examination); 3) 5-years of professional geologic experience and 4) Pass a Practice of Geology Examination (ASBOG Practice Examination).

With all that stuff – Why bother? – Do I really need to worry about Licensure? YES! Ask yourself: “How sure am I about my career?” -- “Will it ever change throughout my life?” -- “Can I prove that I am a qualified Geologist?”

Licensure will greatly enhance your future career by keeping all practice doors open and available. Some aspects of the practice of Geology are exempt from Licensure; academic teaching and research, exploration for oil, gas and other minerals, federal government employment and incidental geologic work. BUT providing these services to a Texas public entity, regulator or the public is NOT exempt.

OK, So what't the National Fundamentals of Geology Examination all about? The examination contains 8 Task Domaines: 4 are Basic Geology and 4 are Aplied Geology. The Basic Geology Domaines are General & Field Geology (21%), Mineralogy, Petrology & Geochemistry (11%), Sedimentology, Stratigraphy & Paleontology (12%) and Structure, Tectonics & Seismology (11%). The Applied Geology Domains are Geomorphology, Surficial processes & Quaternary Geology (13%), Hydrogeology (12%), Engineering Geology (11%) and Economic Geology & Energy Resources (9%).