Application Filing Process for Professional Geologist (PG) Applicants:
PG applicants must use BPELSG Connect to submit an application for licensure. 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. A complete PG application is defined as an application that includes a minimum of three (3) Work Experience Engagements/References with a response on Part B from each professional reference, all relevant transcripts, a passing score on the Laws and Rules exam, and verification of ASBOG exams passed outside of California (if applicable). PG applicants are encouraged to submit their application well in advance of the 100 days to allow sufficient time for each professional reference to complete Part B of the Work Experience Engagements/References, for the applicant to submit all of their relevant transcripts, pass the Laws and Rules exam, request a verification of ASBOG exams passed outside of California (if applicable), and resolve any deficiencies that may be issued during the review process.
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: You will be asked if you are licensed as a Professional Geologist in any other state which required the passing of the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology and ASBOG Practice of Geology exams. (Please note: ASBOG exam results before November 1, 1996, will not be accepted.) If you have passed one or both of the ASBOG exams outside of California a License/Exam Verification is required. You will also be asked if you have previously filed any other application with the Board.
- Education: You will enter your applicable educational information and confirm you have submitted your transcripts to the Board. Applicants must request official transcripts for all relevant degrees and coursework. If your university/college provides electronic transcripts, they must be sent directly from the university/college to BPELSG.Transcripts@dca.ca.gov. If your university/college only provides paper transcripts, they must be mailed to the Board. Unsealed transcripts are not accepted. Foreign transcripts that are not in English do not need to be sealed, but applicants must submit the original transcripts along with a notarized English translation. Degree evaluations are not accepted. Review of the submitted application will not begin until all indicated transcripts are received. If you submitted official transcripts showing all completed coursework to the Board with a previously approved paper Geologist-in-Training (GIT) application, you are not required to resubmit transcripts. If you submitted your GIT application in BPELSG Connect on or after April 18, 2023, you did not submit transcripts, and are required to submit transcripts with your PG application.
- Experience: You will complete Part A of the Work Experience Engagements/References within BPELSG Connect. For each Part A of the Work Experience Engagement/Reference submitted, contact information for the professional reference will be required. After you submit your application in BPELSG Connect, each of your professional references will be emailed a link that will allow them to review Part A of the Work Experience Engagement/Reference and instruct them to complete Part B. You are required to provide a minimum of three (3) completed Work Experience Engagements/References demonstrating a sufficient number of months of qualifying geological work experience. For detailed information view the Work Experience Engagement/Reference Instructions for Professional Geologist Applicants and Professional References. If your professional references have not responded within two (2) weeks, it is recommended you contact them because your application will not be reviewed until the minimum number of Work Experience Engagements/References have received responses.
- 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 licensure. 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: Applicants are required to take and pass the Laws and Rules Exam, ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) exam, ASBOG Practice of Geology (PG) exam, and the California Specific Exam (CSE). Upon submittal and payment of an application, a link to the Laws and Rules Exam will appear on your dashboard. The exam must be passed before the Board will review your application. It is recommended that you pass the exam shortly after application submittal because not passing the exam is considered an application deficiency and will significantly delay the processing of your application. All other exams will be taken after application approval.
- 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 Examination(s):
The ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) and Practice of Geology (PG) exams are 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(s) 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.
Exam Eligible Applicants (New and Re-Exam Applicants) for the California Specific Exam (CSE):
Log in to BPELSG Connect , click the “Request Exam” link listed under the “Action” column on your dashboard, complete the request and make a payment.
You will have a choice between the spring or fall exam dates. You will need to schedule and pay your exam fee in BPELSG Connect by January 27th for the spring exam, or August 27th for the fall exam.
After payment, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) notice via email with instructions on how and when to schedule your exam with Prometric. Please be aware that you might not be able to schedule your exam with Prometric until 120 days before the start of the exam date. Contact the Exam Unit at (916) 999-3644 or BOEXAM@dca.ca.gov if you have questions about scheduling your exam or if you do not receive your ATT after payment is made (check your SPAM and junk email boxes before contacting the Board).
Exam Information:
