Serving professionals in engineering, environmental,
and groundwater geology since 1957
Geologist-in-Training
Board for Geologists and Geophysicists
California Department of Consumer Affairs

Effective January 1, 2005, the Board for Geologists and Geophysicists (California Department of Consumer Affairs) is announcing a trainee certification toward the "Professional Geologist" license in the State of California. New legislation signed by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2004 (SB 1914) allows college graduates with majors in Geology to take the National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) "Fundamentals of Geology" exam, which is given once a year on the first Friday of March. Once the graduate passes the exam, s/he will be issued a certificate as a Geologist-in-Training. The ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology examination is the first of three examinations necessary to become licensed in California (the other two are the ASBOG "Practice of Geology" examination and the Board's "California specific" examination). This certification will be a strong qualification for graduates to add to resumes as they conduct a job search. After working with a Professional Geologist for 3 years (BA/BS degree) or 2 years (MA/MS/PhD degree), graduates can apply to take the ASBOG "Practice of Geology" and California-specific exams for licensure as a Professional Geologist in the State of California.

Eligibility: BA/BS degree in Geology. Students graduating in May, August and December 2005 will be eligible to take the exam in 2006.

Registering for the Fundamentals of Geology Exam: Submit application (available at www.geology.ca.gov/examinations/geology/registered_geologist.htm) and official copies of transcripts (must be received directly from the university to the Board) along with a check for $400 ($250 to open your file with the licensing board plus $150 examination fee) to:
Board for Geologists and Geophysicists
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 300A
Sacramento, CA 95833-2926

Deadline: The deadline for the 2006 Exam is November 23, 2005.

Exam Date: March 3, 2006
The exam will be given in Sacramento and Carson, CA.

Additional Information Contact: Pam Hopper, Examination Coordinator
Department of Consumer Affairs
Board for Geologists and Geophysicists
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 300A
Sacramento, CA 95833-2926
(916) 263-2113
geology@dca.ca.gov (e-mail)
www.geology.ca.gov (website)