ANNUAL REPORT FY2007

General Information

Agency Contact:   Geri L. Allen, Executive Director;   ph: (307) 742-1118;   500 South Third Street, Laramie WY 82070-3628

E-mail:   wbpg@state.wy.us

Web site:   wbpgweb.wy.gov

Other Locations:   None

Statutory References:   W.S. 33-41-101 through W.S. 33-41-121

Clients Served:   General public, licensees, state and local governments, business/industry, and the geologic profession as a whole.

Budget Information:   Earmarked Funds $329,211

Agency to which Group Reports:   Administration & Information

Number of Members:   Seven

Meeting Frequency:   Minimum of four meetings required per year

Narrative

Name of Department/Division/Program: Wyoming Board of Professional Geologists

Report Period: FY08 (July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008)

Wyoming Quality of Life Results: Wyoming families and individuals live in a stable, safe, supportive, nurturing, healthy environment. Wyoming natural resources are managed to maximize the economic, environmental and social prosperity of current and future generations.

Contribution to Wyoming Quality of Life: The Wyoming Board of Professional Geologists (Board) contributes to the Wyoming quality of life through licensing, regulation, and enforcement activities which promote the practice of geology by professional geologists in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Basic Facts: The Board is comprised of six licensed professional geologists who are appointed by the Governor. The State Geologist is the seventh and permanent member of the Board. The Board is currently authorized one full-time position and one part-time position.

The Board's primary functions include licensure, regulation, and enforcement.

The Board operates with a 2007-2008 Biennium Budget of $329,211. The entire amount is derived from licensing fees (application, examination, renewal, reinstatement). The Board does not receive general fund appropriation or federal funds.

Performance: By the end of FY08, the Board had licensed 3,651 professional geologists (some are now deceased and others have not renewed their licenses). At the end of FY08, there were 2,729 active professional geologists and 72 active geologists-in-training. Since its inception in 1991, a total of 4,405 application files have been received by the Board, with 56 applications rejected for not meeting minimum statutory requirements and one for submitting a fraudulent application.

In FY08, the Board staff received 62 applications for licensure or certification; proctored 76 national examinations; processed 19 verification of licensure requests from 11 other states or foreign jurisdictions; granted licensure to 42 geologists, 24 by examination, and 18 by comity; and granted certifications to 11 geologists-in-training. The Board distributed rosters (printed and on CD) to licensees, state agencies, and other parties.

On national and international levels, the Board continued its active role within the National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG). In FY08, a Board member held the office of President. The Board had members serving on several committees as well as on the ASBOG Council of Examiners. The number of member states using the national examinations remains at 29. Continued contacts made on the national and international level have expanded the number of working alliances beneficial to the Board.

Although the majority of the geologists licensed as professional geologists in Wyoming reside out-of-state, there are approximately 370 licensed professional geologists and 28 certified geologists-in-training who do currently live in Wyoming. Of those residing outside Wyoming (47 states and 17 foreign countries), many have worked in Wyoming in the past, and all anticipate working in the state at some time in the future.

Agency Organization Chart:

Page URL: http://wbpg.wy.gov/annual.asp