1	Why Are We Here Today? Introduce Wyoming Board of Professional Geologists Make sure you’re aware of licensure requirements to practice geology critical to many careers involving geology never easier than now to get started Introduce National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG)^®
2	Wyoming Board of Professional Geologists 6 volunteers appointed by governor – 4 yr terms State Geologist -- 7^th member, permanent Executive Director and Executive Assistant (both state employees) Diverse representation from academia, consulting, corporate world, state & federal government Qualifications for Serving on the Board: Resident of Wyoming Practicing geology for at least 7 years Licensed professional geologist for at least 5 years Serving in a professional decision-making capacity for at least 2 years
3	Organizational Chart Wyoming Board of Professional Geologists
4	What does the Board do? Reviews applications for licensure and determines if an applicant is qualified to sit for an exam Administers exams Reviews comity/reciprocity requests from geologists licensed in other states Maintains a roster of professional geologists Assists members of the public with complaints Enforces the Code of Professional Conduct for Geologists Represents Wyoming in ASBOG^®
5	You Have to be Licensed if… You want to be a “Professional Geologist” You intend to practice geology before the public in the state of Wyoming You intend to practice geology in any of 29 other states (more states joining every year) You want to testify in front of the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission
6	What does it mean to practice Geology before the public? “The performance of geological services or work including consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, preparation of geologic reports and maps, the inspection of geological work and the responsible supervision of geological services or work, the performance of which is relevant to public welfare or the safeguard of life, health, property and the environment...” §33-41-102(viii)
7	Why is Licensure Required? Protection of Public Health and Welfare – to ensure that governmental rules, regulations, laws, and other requirements dealing with geological matters are being addressed by individuals who are trained and qualified as geologists. Provides in-state control and compliance with other states which have enacted registration or licensure laws for the practice of geology.
8	Exemptions The definition of practicing before the public does NOT include: Cutting descriptions for water wells; Descriptive logs for drill holes for mineral exploration; Lithologic descriptions and stratigraphic picks for oil and gas well logs; Geologic information contained within notices and other routine forms required by state and federal agencies; Geologic reports not available for dissemination outside of the entity preparing the reports or documents; or Any technical papers or reports prepared specifically for publication by the state or federal geological survey or by other geological, scientific or trade organizations.
9	Examples – you don’t have to be licensed if you are: Engaged in teaching or research in physical & natural sciences Providing mineral abstracting services, lease-brokering services, or prospect generation to the fossil fuels & mineral resources industry Engaged in well drilling for water and for exploration or development of fossil fuels or other mineral resources
10	Examples, continued Engaged in the practice of subsurface sewage disposal Providing soils engineering, sampling, testing, or other activities related to agricultural application of soils sciences Drafting, sampling, completing sample preparation, or doing routine laboratory work
11	“Geologist-in-training” Requirements Bachelors Degree (any discipline) with a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter credit hours in geology Successful completion of the ASBOG^® Fundamentals of Geology (FG) examination NOTE – you may take the FG exam BEFORE you have completed your degree – as long as you have successfully completed the required credit hours of geology coursework. Most seniors and graduate students qualify for this.
12	“Professional Geologist” Requirements Certification as a GIT Successful completion of the ASBOG^® Practice of Geology (PG) examination 48 months (4 years) active professional practice Written endorsements from three professional peers, including at least one reference from a supervisor
13	National Association of State Boards of Geology Primary Purpose: the development, administration, grading, maintenance, and continued assurance of the validity of the national geology exams administered by member states Benefits of ASBOG^® One high-quality exam Maximize fairness and quality of the exams as measures of minimum competency Ease of reciprocity to other states
14	Member States of ASBOG
15	Basic Topics on Exams Field Methods & Remote Sensing Mineralogy, Petrology, Petrography, & Geochemistry Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, & Paleontology Geomorphology Structural Geology & Tectonics Geophysics & Seismology Hydrogeology Engineering Geology Mineral, Petroleum, & Energy Resources
16	Passing Rates – PG Exam
17	Passing Rates – FG Exam
18	Exam Preparation Candidate Handbook (http://www.asbog.org)
19	Fee Structure Fees which cover the operating expenses of the Board: Application Fees: – Geologist-in-training $10 – Professional Geologist $50 ASBOG^® Exam Fees: – Fundamentals of Geology (FG) Exam $150 – Practice of Geology (PG) Exam $200 Renewal Fees: – Certification as a Geologist-in- Training -- $ 5/year – Licensure as a Professional Geologist -- $50/year
20	Comparison of Wyoming Fees to Other States
21	Contact Information Wyoming Board of Professional Geologists 500 South Third Street Laramie, WY 82070-3628 (307) 742-1118 E-mail wbpg@state.wy.us Web site http://wbpg.wy.gov
22	Questions & Answers