Application Filing Process for Geologist-in-Training (GIT) Applicants:
GIT applicants must use BPELSG Connect to submit an application for certification. Check the Exam Schedule for exam dates. Applications are accepted on a continuous filing basis. There is no final filing date. A complete application that is submitted less than 100 days prior to the date of the exam will not be considered for that exam; it will be considered for a subsequent exam.
Application Instructions:
For additional BPELSG Connect related information view the Application and Licensing BPELSG Connect Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
- Create a user profile in BPELSG Connect using an email address as your username. Once registered, you will receive an email with a temporary password to log in and create a personalized password.
- Upon confirming registration with a new password, you will be asked if you have a current license/certificate with BPELSG. If you answer “Yes”, you can link any current California license/certification in your name, in good standing. If you do not link your active license/certificate during this step, you will be able to do it later from your dashboard by using the “Link Existing” button.
- From the dashboard, click on the “New Application” button to start your application. When prompted, use the dropdown box to choose the application type.
- When the application loads, application tabs will appear to the left side of the screen. As you progress through the tabs, the tabs will change color based on the status. A green check mark indicates the tab is complete; a red “X” indicates the tab has been started but is not complete. You will be required to complete all tabs before you submit the application.
- Instructions: Read the instructions carefully.
- General Information: Verify and/or enter all required personal information.
- Qualifications: The Board does not verify an applicant’s eligibility for certification as a Geologist-in-Training (GIT) other than to require the applicant to attest to their eligibility. The applicant is responsible for understanding the education requirements for certification as a GIT, which are the same education requirements for licensure as a Professional Geologist (PG). By submitting a GIT application, the applicant attests that they have read and meet the education requirements for certification as a GIT as specified in Business and Professions Code section 7841.2(a)(3) and Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3022(a). You will also be asked if you are certified as a GIT in another state, and if yes, you will be asked to provide the state, certificate number, issuance date, and expiration date.
- Special Considerations: You will be asked to answer questions to determine if you are eligible for an expedited application review process in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 115.4, Business and Professions Code section 115.5 or Business and Professions Code section 135.4. If you are eligible and wish for your application to be expedited, you will be required to upload the appropriate documents.
- Fingerprint: All applicants are required to submit a full set of fingerprints prior to certification. Applicants located in California must use the Live Scan process and will be asked to upload a copy of their completed Live Scan Form in the Fingerprint Tab. Out of state applicants may either submit the traditional fingerprint cards or travel to California to use Live Scan. Out of state applicants will be mailed two (2) FD-258 fingerprint cards after submitting an application and fees in BPELSG Connect. Follow all directions included with the fingerprint cards. If you have been fingerprinted within the last 24 months for a previous application submitted to this Board, you do not need to be fingerprinted again, and will not be required to supply any fingerprinting documents. For more information regarding fingerprinting please visit the Board's Fingerprinting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
- Action By Another State: You will be asked if you have ever had an engineering, land surveying, geologist or geophysicist related certificate or license denied, disciplined, suspended, surrendered, or revoked in any state (other than for lack of minimum qualification or failure of examination). If you answer “Yes”, you will be asked to explain and upload any applicable documents.
- Exam: You will be asked if you have taken and passed the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) examination. (Please note: ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology exam results before November 1, 1996, will not be accepted.) If you have passed the ASBOG Fundamental of Geology (FG) exam outside of California a License/Exam Verification is required. Follow the instructions on the form.
- Affidavit: You will be asked to sign and date the application declaration.
- Fee and Payment: You will have the option to make the payment for the application fee and fingerprint card fee (if applicable) by credit card, debit card, personal check, money order, or cash. If you choose to pay by check, money order, or cash, BPELSG Connect will provide you with a confirmation document that you will need to print and mail to the Board along with the payment. Choosing the check, money order, or cash option will delay the processing of your application, since application review will not start until payment is received and processed.
- After application payment and submittal, you will be returned to your dashboard, where you can view the status of your application. If you click on the application number, you can download and print or save a PDF version of your application for your records. If you pay by credit card or debit card, you will receive a payment confirmation receipt via email. You can also view and print your payment receipt by clicking on the “Profile” link on your dashboard and finding the view/print link under the “Payment Detail” section.
Application Status in BPELSG Connect:
Once you submit your application through BPELSG Connect, you will be able to log in to your user profile to monitor the status of the application review and address any deficiencies.
Do not contact the Board for status updates; log in to your BPELSG Connect account and refer to your dashboard for status updates. View the Application Status Definitions for detailed information.
New and Re-Exam Applicants Taking the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) Exam:
The ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) exam is administered in a computer-based testing (CBT) format.
All approved applicants (new and re-exam applicants) will pay exam fees and seat fees directly to ASBOG’s exam vendor Prometric/Iso-Quality Testing (IQT) and sign up for the exam through Prometric/IQT upon email notification. Prometric/IQT will send an email to all eligible exam candidates in early February for the spring exam and in late August for the fall exam (from the following email address: registrations@isoqualitytesting.com). Please do not contact ASBOG or Prometric/IQT regarding your eligibility; wait for your email notification. If you believe you are eligible, but you do not receive your email notification in the timeframe described above, contact the Exam Unit at (916) 999-3644 or BOEXAM@dca.ca.gov. Check your SPAM and junk email boxes before contacting the Board. For additional information about the exams, read ASBOG’s Candidate Handbook, and monitor ASBOG's website for updated information; however, please do not contact ASBOG.
The Board does not handle ASBOG exam postponements. Review ASBOG’s Candidate Handbook for ASBOG’s exam reschedule/postponement policy.
