Application and Licensing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Geologist-in-Training (GIT), Professional Geologist (PG), Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG), Certified Hydrogeologist (CHG), and Professional Geophysicist (PGP) Applicants

A: No, neither U.S. Citizenship nor California residency is required.

A: Yes. Applicants are required to include their SSN or ITIN, or their application will not be processed. For more information view the Information Collection, Access, and Disclosure.

A: Yes. View the Fingerprinting FAQs for all fingerprint related questions.

A: No; however, members of the United States Armed Forces and their families may want to review the licensing resources available on the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) website.

A: View the Applicants Fee Schedule for fees paid to the Board.

ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) and Practice of Geology (PG) exam fees and seat fees are paid directly to ASBOG’s exam vendor Prometric/Iso-Quality Testing (IQT) upon email notification from Prometric/IQT. View the ASBOG Candidate Handbook for additional information

A: Applicants licensed out of state must meet all the same California requirements as other applicants including submitting a complete application and passing all required exams in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 7847.

Professional Geologist (PG) applicants who have passed the ASBOG exams out of state, must request a License/Exam Verification of ASBOG exam results from the state where the exams were passed. Follow the directions on the form .

A: No. Applicants must request official transcripts for all relevant degrees and coursework. If the university/college provides electronic transcripts, they must be sent directly from the university/college to BPELSG.Transcripts@dca.ca.gov. If the university/college only provides paper transcripts, they must be mailed to the Board. Unsealed transcripts are not accepted.

A: Foreign transcripts that are not in English do not need to be sealed, but applicants must submit the original transcripts to the Board along with a notarized English translation. Foreign transcripts are sent back to the applicant after they are scanned and uploaded to the application

A: No.

A: • Geologist-in-Training (GIT) Application Filing Process

    • Professional Geologist (PG) Application Filing Process

    • Applicants must submit a paper application for the Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG), Certified     Hydrogeologist (CHG), and Professional Geophysicist (PGP). CEG, CHG, and PGP applications must be postmarked     by the final filing date shown on the Exam Schedule. Use the checklist attached to the application form to ensure     all required documentation is submitted with the application .

A: Yes, they must reapply in BPELSG Connect.

A: Applicants are eligible for an expedited application review process only if they meet one of the criteria listed below. If eligible, applicants will mark “yes” to the appropriate question on the Special Considerations Tab of the application, and provide the required documentation with their application, as explained below. Applicants eligible for an expedited application review must meet all other application requirements.

If an applicant does not meet one of the criteria listed below, the application is not eligible for an expedited application review, and the application will be processed by the Board in the order received.

Expedited application review criteria and documentation requirements:

• Expedited Licensure for Honorably Discharged Military Service Personnel Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 115.4, the Board shall expedite the licensure process for an applicant who supplies satisfactory evidence to the Board that the applicant has served as an active-duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States and was honorably discharged. To be considered for this expedited review process, applicants must provide a copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214, and evidence of honorable discharge.

• Expedited Licensure for Military Spouses/Domestic Partners Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 115.5, the Board shall expedite the licensure process and waive the licensure application fee charged by the Board for an applicant who meets BOTH of the following requirements:

1) Is married to or in a domestic partnership or other legal union with an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is assigned to a duty station in California under official active-duty military orders; and,

2) Who holds a current license in another state, district, or territory of the U.S. in the profession for which they are seeking licensure.

If an applicant meets BOTH of the above-listed requirements and would like to be considered for the expedited review process and fee waiver, they must provide all of the following documentation:

1) A copy of the marriage certificate or certified declaration/registration of domestic partnership; and, 2) A copy of the spouse's/domestic partner's active-duty military orders establishing the duty station in California; and, 3) Official certification verifying the applicant holds a current license in good standing in another state, district, or territory of the U.S. in the same profession in which they are seeking licensure in California.

• Expedited Licensure for Refugee, Asylee, or Special Immigrant Visa Status Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 135.4, the Board shall expedite the licensure process for an applicant who meets ANY of the following requirements:

1) The applicant was admitted to the United States as a refugee pursuant to Section 1157 of Title 8 of the United States Code; or, 2) The applicant was granted asylum by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the United States Attorney General pursuant to Section 1158 of Title 8 of the United States Code; or, 3) The applicant has a special immigrant visa and was granted a status pursuant to Section 1244 of Public Law 110-181, Public Law 109-163, or Section 602(b) of Title VI of Division F of Public Law 111-8, relating to Iraqi and Afghan translators/interpreters or those who worked for or on behalf of the United States government.

Applicants who meet ANY of the above-listed requirements and would like to be considered for this expedited review process, must provide documentation of their status as a refugee, asylee, or special immigrant visa holder.

• Expedited Licensure for Service Members Enrolled in SkillBridge Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 115.4, beginning July 1, 2024, the Board shall expedite the licensure process for an applicant who is an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces and enrolled in the U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge program. Applicants who would like to be considered for this expedited review process must provide documentation of enrollment, such as an official letter from the commanding officer.

A: ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) exam.

A: No. GIT certification is an optional step. Obtaining a GIT certificate shows that the holder has passed the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) exam and has self-certified to meeting the educational requirements. An applicant may apply for the PG license without having a GIT certificate or before passing the FG exam.

A: The Board does not verify an applicant’s eligibility for certification as a 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).

The law provides two educational pathways to qualify:

• Graduation with a baccalaureate degree or higher in geology or a related geological science from a program accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET Inc. (ABET) in accordance with Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3022(a)(1).

Or

• Completion of at least 30 semester/45 quarter hours of coursework relevant to geology, which must include at least 24 semester/36 quarter hours of upper division or graduate courses. An applicant’s coursework must include the minimum required courses described in Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3022(a)(2). The additional geology coursework necessary to meet the 30 semester/45 quarter hours requirement may be selected at the applicant’s discretion, but the coursework must be relevant to geology as defined in the Geologist and Geophysicist Act. The Board does not provide a separate list of required courses. Applicants must review the definitions in the regulation to determine if their completed courses meet the requirements. It is the applicant’s responsibility to understand the coursework definitions and requirements before applying. Applicants may use the Qualifying Education Coursework Form to determine if they meet the minimum coursework requirements before applying. This form should not be submitted to the Board; the Board will not review this form. Applicants must submit a complete application through BPELSG Connect to obtain GIT certification .

A: No. The Board does not verify an applicant’s eligibility for certification as a 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).

A:• ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) exam

   • ASBOG Practice of Geology (PG) exam

   • California Specific Exam (CSE)

   • Laws and Rules Examination (Upon submittal of an application in BPELSG Connect, a link to the exam will appear     on the applicant’s dashboard. The exam must be passed before the Board will review the application.)

A: The law provides two educational pathways to qualify for licensure:

• Graduation with a baccalaureate degree or higher in geology or a related geological science from a program accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET Inc. (ABET) in accordance with Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3022(a)(1).

Or

• Completion of at least 30 semester/45 quarter hours of coursework relevant to geology, which must include at least 24 semester/36 quarter hours of upper division or graduate courses. An applicant’s coursework must include the minimum required courses described in Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3022(a)(2). The additional geology coursework necessary to meet the 30 semester/45 quarter hours requirement may be selected at the applicant’s discretion, but the coursework must be relevant to geology as defined in the Geologist and Geophysicist Act. The Board does not provide a separate list of required courses. Applicants must review the definitions in the regulation to determine if their completed courses meet the requirements. It is the applicant’s responsibility to understand the coursework definitions and requirements before applying. Applicants may use the Qualifying Education Coursework Form to determine if they meet the minimum coursework requirements before applying. This form should not be submitted to the Board; the Board will not review this form. Applicants must submit a complete application through BPELSG Connect for a determination of eligibility for Professional Geologist (PG) licensure .

A: In accordance with Business and Professions Code section 7841(c) and Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3022(b)(3), an applicant for licensure as a Professional Geologist (PG) shall be granted credit for professional geological experience, up to a combined maximum of three (3) years, for the following education:

• Two (2) years of professional geological experience credit for graduation with a baccalaureate degree in geology or a related geological science, from a program accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc. (ABET) as described in Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3022(a)(1), or the completion of 30 semester/45 quarter hours of geological science courses as described in Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3022(a)(2). See the question above for details.

• One (1) year of professional geological experience credit for one (1) year of graduate study or research in the geological sciences. A year of graduate study or research is defined as a 12-calendar month period during which the candidate is enrolled in a full-time program of graduate study or research. Full-time graduate study is defined as two (2) semesters per year of eight (8) semester hours each (12 quarter hours), or as defined by the college or university, whichever is less.

• Part-time graduate study or research, and part-time professional geological work experience will be prorated and combined on a 12-calendar month basis. No credit will be given for professional geological work experience performed during the same time period when full-time graduate study or research is being done for which educational credit is being allowed.

• Teaching in the geological sciences at the college level shall be credited year for year toward meeting the requirement in this category, provided that the total teaching experience includes six (6) semester units per semester, or equivalent if on the quarter system, of upper division or graduate courses.

A: If an applicant submitted official transcripts showing all completed coursework to the Board with a previously approved paper GIT application, they are not required to resubmit transcripts. If they submitted their GIT application in BPELSG Connect on or after April 18, 2023, they did not submit transcripts, and are required to submit transcripts with their PG application.

A: The applicant will need to convert the units to semester hours to determine if they have the required semester hours. Some schools will list the most common conversions on the transcript legend. If the transcript doesn’t include a conversion, contact the school registrar for assistance.

A: No. In accordance with Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3022(b)(4), an applicant is not eligible to earn credit for professional geological work experience until the applicant has completed the education requirements.

A: Review the Work Experience Engagement/Reference Instructions for Professional Geologist (PG) Applicants and Professional References.

A: Professional geological work is defined in Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3003(d).

A: An applicant must document a total of five (5) years of combined education and work experience to meet the licensure requirements.

A: No. The PG application cannot be converted to a GIT application. The applicant will need to file a separate GIT application and application fee.

A: The law provides two educational pathways to qualify:

• Graduation with a major in geophysical science or any other discipline that, in the opinion of the Board, is relevant to geophysics in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 7841.1(b)(1). This requirement must be fulfilled at a college or university which, at the time the applicant was enrolled, was accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Office of Education in accordance with Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3022.1(a)(1).

Or

• Completion of a combination of at least 30 semester hours, or the equivalent, in courses that, in the opinion of the Board, are relevant to geophysics. At least 24 semester hours, or the equivalent, shall be in the third or fourth year (upper division), or graduate courses in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 7841.1(b)(2). The Board does not have a list of required courses that must be part of the requirement. The courses used to satisfy this requirement must be taken at a college or university which, at the time the applicant was enrolled, was accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Office of Education in accordance with Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3022.1(a)(1).

A: An applicant for licensure as a PGP shall be granted credit for professional geophysical work, up to a combined maximum of four (4) years, for the following education in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 7841.1 and Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3022.1(b)(2).

• One-half year of work credit for each year of full-time undergraduate study in the geophysical sciences up to a maximum of two (2) years. A year of undergraduate study or research is defined as a 12-calendar month period during which the candidate is enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program as defined by the college or university.

• One (1) year of work credit for one (1) year of graduate study or research in the geophysical sciences. A year of graduate study or research is defined as a 12-calendar month period during which the candidate is enrolled in a full-time program of graduate study or research. Full-time graduate study is defined as two (2) semesters per year of eight (8) semester hours each (12 quarter hours), or as defined by the college or university, whichever is less.

• Part-time graduate study or research, and part-time professional geophysical work experience will be prorated and combined on a 12-calendar month basis. No credit will be given for professional geophysical work experience performed during the same time period when full-time graduate study or research is being done for which educational credit is being allowed.

• Teaching in the geophysical sciences at a college level shall be credited year for year toward meeting the requirement in this category, provided that the total teaching experience includes six (6) semester units per semester, or equivalent if on the quarter system, of the third or fourth year or graduate courses .

A: PGP applicants must submit a minimum of three (3) Independent Evaluation of Scope, Character and Duration of Applicant’s Qualifying Geological or Geophysical Work Experience (reference) forms with their paper application to document their qualifying work experience.

The applicant must meet one of the requirements below in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 7841.1(c) and Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3022.1(b):

• Three (3) years of work experience working under the responsible charge of a licensed Professional Geophysicist. At least one (1) responsible charge reference is required (or as many as necessary) to document three (3) years of work experience under a licensed Professional Geophysicist. The additional references required to meet the minimum of three (3) can be supplied by a peer, employer and/or regulator.

Or

• Five (5) years in responsible charge of professional geophysical work. The applicant must document that they have been in responsible charge of and practicing geophysics legally in the jurisdiction in which the work was done for five (5) years. For example, in California, this could be a geologist performing geophysical work related to their practice of geology. In this example, the Board would accept non-responsible charge references (peer, employer, or regulator) who have the training and experience sufficient to verify the applicant’s qualifying experience. The professional reference must provide information that indicates under what authority they are practicing and provide a résumé or CV to document that they have a minimum of five (5) years of responsible charge experience in the specialty

A: An applicant must document a total of seven (7) years of combined education and work experience to meet the licensure requirements.

A: Professional geophysical work is defined in Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3003(e)

A: No. In accordance with Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3022.1(b)(3), an applicant is not eligible to earn credit for professional geophysical work experience until the applicant has completed the education requirements.

A: A licensed California Professional Geologist (PG) can apply for a specialty certification in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 7842. A specialty certification is a title authority license, which means only the use of the title is restricted by law, not the practice of the profession, and only individuals issued the specialty certification may use the title associated with it. The specialty certifications are Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG) and Certified Hydrogeologist (CHG).

A: Yes. A licensed California Professional Geologist (PG) can practice engineering geology or hydrogeology under their PG practice authority license, provided they are competent to do so; however, they cannot use the protected titles Certified Engineering Geologist or Certified Hydrogeologist or the abbreviations CEG or CHG.

A: No, nothing beyond the education required for the Professional Geologist (PG) license.

A: Yes. Experience in engineering geology or hydrogeology used to qualify for licensure as a Professional Geologist (PG) may also be used to qualify for specialty certification.

A: Yes, if they meet all the qualification requirements for each license. The applicant must submit separate applications and pay separate application and exam fees for each application. If they don’t pass all the PG licensure exams and do pass the CEG or CHG exam, they will not be issued the CEG or CHG certification until they pass the exams required for PG licensure and have been issued a PG license.

A: CEG applicants must submit a minimum of three (3) Independent Evaluation of Scope, Character and Duration of Applicant’s Qualifying Geological or Geophysical Work Experience (reference) forms with their paper application to document their qualifying work experience.

An applicant must be licensed as a Professional Geologist (PG), and must have seven (7) years of professional geological work experience which shall include one of the following in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 7842:

• Three (3) years of work experience in engineering geology. At least one (1) responsible charge professional reference (or as many as necessary) must be provided to document the three (3) years of experience. The experience must be obtained under the supervision of a CEG or a licensed Civil Professional Engineer who has the training and experience in the area of geology in which the applicant’s experience is earned sufficient to qualify the professional reference to have responsible charge of geologic work. Any additional references required to meet the minimum of three (3) can be supplied by a peer, employer and/or regulator reference. Professional references who do not hold a CEG (i.e. licensed Civil Professional Engineers) should provide a résumé or CV to document their qualifications to serve as a reference for a CEG applicant.

Or

• Five (5) years of work experience in responsible charge of engineering geology work. The applicant must provide a minimum of three (3) references from professional references who can attest to their experience in engineering geology. These professional references can be responsible charge, peer, employer, or regulator references and can be from licensed CEGs or licensed Civil Professional Engineers. Professional references without a CEG (i.e. licensed Civil Professional Engineers) should provide a résumé or CV to document their ability to serve as a professional reference for a CEG application.

A: CHG applicants must submit a minimum of three (3) Independent Evaluation of Scope, Character and Duration of Applicant’s Qualifying Geological or Geophysical Work Experience (reference) forms with their paper application to document their qualifying work experience.

An applicant must be licensed as a Professional Geologist (PG), and must have seven (7) years of professional geological work experience which shall include one of the following in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 7842:

• Three (3) years of work experience in hydrogeology. At least one (1) responsible charge professional reference (or as many as necessary) must be provided to document the three (3) years of experience. The experience must be obtained under the supervision of a CHG. Any additional references required to meet the minimum of three (3) can be supplied by a peer, employer and/or regulator reference. Professional references who do not hold a CHG (i.e. Professional Geologists who have a minimum of five years of experience in responsible charge of hydrogeological work) should provide a résumé or CV to document their qualifications to serve as a professional reference for a CHG applicant.

Or

• Five (5) years of work experience in responsible charge of hydrogeology work. The applicant must provide a minimum of three (3) references from professional references who can attest to their experience in hydrogeology. These professional references can be responsible charge, peer, employer, or regulator references and can be from licensed CHGs or Professional Geologists who have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in responsible charge of hydrogeological work. Professional references without a CHG (i.e. Professional Geologists who have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in responsible charge of hydrogeological work) should provide a résumé or CV to document their ability to serve as a professional reference for a CHG applicant. .

A: From Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3041(a)(2): Have knowledge of:

(A) Geology of the State of California.

(B) Geologic factors relating to Civil Engineering problems typically encountered in the State.

(C) Elementary soil and rock mechanics.

(D) Principles of grading codes and other pertinent regulations. .

A: From Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 3042(b)(2): Have knowledge of and experience in:

(A) Geology of the State of California.

(B) Geologic factors relating to the water resources of this State.

(C) Principles of groundwater hydraulics/hydrology and groundwater quality including the vadose zone.

(D) Applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations.

(E) Principles of water well, monitoring well, disposal well, and injection well construction.

(F) Elementary soil and rock mechanics in relation to groundwater, including the description of rock and soil samples from wells.

(G) Interpretation of borehole logs as they relate to porosity, hydraulic conductivity, or fluid character.

A: Refer to the information under the heading New and Re-Exam Applicants Taking the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) Exam.

A: Refer to the information under the headings New and Re-Exam Applicants Taking the ASBOG Examination(s) and Exam Eligible Applicants (New and Re-Exam Applicants) for the California Specific Exam (CSE).

A: Approved applicants will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) notice via email 4-6 weeks prior to the exam date with instructions on how to schedule the exam with Prometric.

To re-take an exam, an applicant must submit a CEG, CHG, PGP Re-Exam Form and exam fee to the Board via mail, postmarked by the final filing date on the Exam Schedule. Applicants will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) notice via email 4-6 weeks prior to the exam date with instructions on how to schedule the exam with Prometric.

Contact the Exam Unit at BOEXAM@dca.ca.gov or (916) 999-3644 for questions about scheduling the exam or if the ATT is not received (check SPAM and junk email boxes before contacting the Board).

A: Review the Next Steps After Taking Your Exam(s) document..

A: To request a postponement of state-specific exam fees, submit a Postponement Form in accordance with the form instructions.

The Board does not handle ASBOG exam postponements. Review the ASBOG Candidate Handbook for the ASBOG exam reschedule/cancellation policy.

Contact the Exam Unit at BOEXAM@dca.ca.gov or (916) 999-3644 for additional information.

A: View the Special/Religious Accommodations webpage.

A: No. The exams are administered in a computer-based format at exam sites. Examinees can take the ASBOG exams at any location offered by ASBOG’s exam vendor Prometric/Iso-Quality Testing (IQT). Exam sites are offered throughout the US and Puerto Rico. Visit ASBOG’s website for more information. Examinees can take the state-specific exams at any location offered by Prometric. Exam sites are offered throughout North America.

A: No. The exams are not appealable or reviewable; do not contact the Board regarding appeals or exam reviews.

A: ASBOG Exams: View the resources available on ASBOG’s website.

State-specific Exams: View the test plans and reference lists found on the Examination Candidate Information webpage.

The Board does not endorse or provide recommendations regarding study guides or study courses.

A: ASBOG Exams: View the Candidate Handbook on ASBOG’s website.

State-specific Exams: View the appropriate Candidate Information Bulletin on Prometric’s website.

A: Exam results are released to candidates by email 8-10 weeks after the exam. Do not contact the Board regarding the anticipated release date, as there are several factors that can affect the release of the exam results, and an exact date cannot be provided to candidates..

A: Yes. The Board will accept ASBOG passing results from other states for exams passed after the date of November 1, 1996. Applicants must request a License/Exam Verification of their ASBOG exam results from the state where they passed the exams. Follow the directions on the form.

A: No. Once an application is approved, an applicant can take the exams one at a time, all at once, or in any combination they wish, but they must pass all exams to become licensed.

A: The Board will accept the results of the CEG exam from Washington and Oregon and the CHG exam from Washington. Applicants who wish to obtain a CEG or CHG certification in California must meet all other California requirements including having a California Professional Geologist (PG) license, completing an application, providing references, and paying the appropriate fees. The agreement to accept the results of the Oregon and Washington exams is re-evaluated periodically by the Board and can change at any time. Contact the Board before applying to confirm if this agreement is still in effect.