50 YEARS OF PROTECTING THE PUBLIC: UNDERSTANDING KEY CONCEPTS IN CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY LICENSE LAWS AND REGULATIONS

On August 1, 1968, Governor Ronald Reagan signed Assembly Bill 600 into law, creating the State Board of Registration for Geologists, and regulating the geologic profession in California. The legislation was driven by consumer demand for services to address geologic hazards, especially landslides in the southern part of the State. Unqualified persons performing questionable geologic work combined with a patchwork of local licensing requirements eventually resulted in the passage of The Geologist Act. The State of California has licensed geologists for 50-years. Yet even in California, where both geologic riches and geologic hazards affect the daily lives of the general public, licensure of geologists and geophysicists is often misunderstood. Consumers are confused by the variety and imprecise use of credentialing terms and a lack of understanding of the geoscience profession. Geologists may also be misled by common myths and misconceptions regarding professional licensing. This presentation will focus on the history of geology licensure in California and will include an overview of California laws and regulations that govern the practice of geology in this state. Additionally, information regarding California specific qualification requirements for the PG and GIT will be provided. This will include a discussion of the recent updates to the regulations regarding education requirements and how to properly document qualifying work experience.