Professional Geologist licensure in California

I want to broadly summarize the requirements for licensure as a Professional Geologist in the state of California so that undergraduate and graduate students have a better understanding when making decisions about taking a geology field camp course and to gain the necessary 5 years of work experience under the supervision of a Professional Geologist or Geophysicist. You can also check out this video of a seminar by Laurie Racca (Senior Registrar, Geology & Geophysics, Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists) discussing "Understanding Professional Geology License Requirements: California 2019" on YouTube.

Geologist-in-Training (GIT) certification – an optional step prior to PG licensure: If you think you may want to become a Professional Geologist in the future, we recommend you the take National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) Fundamentals of Geology (FG) exam ($75 in 2022) ASAP after graduating from your undergraduate institution so that your geology coursework is fresh in your mind. The ASBOG FG exam is the only exam you can take prior to completing your work experience. After you meet the educational requirements (which includes the 5 semester units of upper division field geology instruction) for the Geologist-in-Training (GIT) certification and pass the FG exam, you can apply for a GIT certificate which are the first steps to becoming licensed as a Professional Geologist in California. The GIT certificate shows that the holder has passed the FG exam and met certain educational requirements, which are the first steps to becoming licensed as a PG – the GIT certificate may help you to qualify for your entry-level work experiences under a licensed Professional Geologist or Geophysicist. You may apply for the PG license without having a GIT certificate or having already passed the FG exam.

A Professional Geologist license is the formal permission from the State of California –required by law – to practice geology for others in California. To qualify for PG licensure, you need to 1) meet the educational requirements (e.g., a BS degree in Geology, or 30 semester units of geology coursework [24 units must be upper division or graduate-level]) including 5 semester units of field geology instruction; 2) have a documented record of a minimum of 5 years of professional geological experience by working under the supervision of a geologist or geophysicist licensed in California or any other state; and 3) pass the PG exam ($175 in 2022).

You can get credit toward this 5-year work experience requirement – up to a maximum of 3 years' credit – in a few ways:

1) Each year of undergraduate study in the geological sciences shall count as one-half year of training, up to a maximum of 2 years;

2) Each year of graduate study or research counts as a year of training.

3) Teaching in the geological sciences at the college level is credited year for year (the total teaching experience must include six semester units per semester, or equivalent if on the quarter system, of upper division or graduate courses).

You submit official transcripts and 3 reference letters that describe your professional work experience along with the application for licensure as a Professional Geologist.

Good luck!