Professional Geology
Get Licensed in Minnesota
Seeking initial licensure as a professional geologist?
Find below information on the education, examination, experience requirements, as well as application details and forms.
Already licensed in another state?
See the sidebar "Licensure by Comity (Reciprocal Licensure)."
For general application information relevant to all professions, see Get Licensed.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING COMPUTER-BASED TESTING
Do not attempt to preregister or register for an exam as a Minnesota candidate prior to receiving an approval letter from the Board, which first requires that you submit an application to the Board. Only Board-approved applicants will be able to successfully preregister as a Minnesota candidate and then be able to register for a seat. Your approval is specifically for the exam (FG or PG) and administration (spring or fall) on the application you submitted and on the approval letter the Board will mail to you.
Initial Licensure
Education Overview
Applicants for licensure must hold a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited institution of higher learning and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in geology divided among at least five of the geology areas of study in MN Rules 1800.3910 Subp. 5, items a-p, with a maximum of nine semester credits or 12 quarter credits applied to any one area.
Applicants may sit early for the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) Exam by meeting the minimum requirements in MN Rules 1800.3910 Subp. 2, but will still need to meet the education above to receive their Geologist-in-Training designation, to sit for the Principles of Geology (PG), and to be licensed.
If you hold a foreign degree, you must have your education evaluated. Request a Course-by-Course Evaluation. This evaluation type is required; other evaluation types will not be accepted. The original evaluation report must be sent directly from the evaluation service to the Minnesota Board, either by US mail or electronically.
Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
For details on the above, see the application for the particular exam (below) or MN Rule 1800.3910 Subparts 1-5.
Experience Overview
When you apply for the PG Exam, you must provide evidence that you meet the qualifying experience requirements. Qualifying experience consists of varied, progressive, nonrepetitive, practical experience in geology and must be verified by a licensed geologist (MN Rule 1800.3910 Subp. 6).
You will need either four or five years of experience, depending upon the type of education you earned. Use the Experience Reference form, which is part of the PG Application Form packet, to document your experience. You must customize and send a copy to every supervisor verifying your experience. The completed form must be sent by the supervisor directly to the Board.
See MN Rule 1800.3910 Subp. 3(B-E) for more details regarding what experience is qualifying experience.
Examination Overview
In most instances, applicants must first pass the FG Exam and then the PG to be considered for licensure.
FG Online Application
Use the online FG exam application. Follow the instructions in the online application to provide all required additional information by the application deadline. Applications are only for the first open upcoming exam administration (not passed Board application deadline - see exam application deadlines below). Incomplete applications expire within 6 months of receipt or as of the application deadline (whichever comes first).
See the Instructions Overview for more information on how to apply online.
ONLINE Fundamentals of Geology Application
PG Examination Application Packet
This paper application packet provides a wealth of information regarding the PG exam application process, including links to Minnesota rules and statutes. We encourage you to thoroughly review the instructions and the forms. PG exam applications must be printed and mailed in, along with the application fee.
Practice of Geology (PG) Exam Application
Exam Application Deadlines
The FG and PG computer-based (CBT) exams are developed by the Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG).
IMPORTANT!
To sit for the exams you must apply to the Board for approval to sit, then once approved, pre/register with Prometric, ASBOG's exam administrator, at any available Prometric test center offering the exam. The exams are offered on a single day, twice per year (usually the third Friday in March and the first Friday in October).
Note that seats are first come, first served. A seat at the location of your choice cannot be guaranteed. ASBOG establishes the first date on which seats are opened and approved candidates may select a seat. Make your application to the Board as early as you can, so that, if the Board approves your application, you may select your seat at the earliest allowed opportunity.
You must submit all required materials by the application deadline in order for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications expire on the deadline date.
| FG & PG Exam Date | MN Board Application Deadline | Exam Preregistration Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| October 2 or 3, 2025 | August 4, 2025 | Five (5) business days before exam date |
| March 20, 2026 | January 20, 2026 | Five (5) business days before exam date |
Once your application for the exam is approved, you will be informed by mail how to pre/register for the exam.
Application/Examination Costs
Board:
- FG Application: $25. This fee includes issuance of your GIT certificate, once earned.
- PG Application: $75.
ASBOG/Prometric: With each exam registration, you pay an examination fee. This fee is set by and paid to ASBOG via Prometric.
Next Steps After the Exams
After Passing the FG Exam
The Board will officially notify you by mail once you pass the FG Exam. If you have already provided the Board with an official (sealed, sent directly from the institution) copy of your final transcript(s) showing all the required education, the Board will include your Geologist-in-Training (GIT) number with your notification. If you sat early for the FG exam, note that the Board will not issue a GIT number until they receive official transcript(s) showing you have met the education requirements.
Once you have your GIT number and the required experience, you can apply to the Board to sit for the PG exam.
After Passing the PG
Once you pass the PG exam, you will be instructed by mail how to apply for your license. The license fee is $120.
Note: You are not licensed and cannot practice or hold out as licensed until the Board processes your license and issues you a license number.
Regardless of when obtained, your license expires June 30th of every even-numbered year.
Additional Resources
Application / Exam Resources
From the Board
MN Rules Examination of Geoscientist ApplicantsFAQs Change Name/Address
From ASBOG
Candidate HandbookFG Preparation Course.
Relevant Links
ASBOG Local Professional Organizations Other State Boards
Licensure by Comity (Reciprocity)
If you already hold a license in another jurisdiction, use the form below to apply for a reciprocal license in Minnesota.
Applications are reviewed based on the education, examination and experience requirements that were in place in Minnesota at the time of your original licensure (or in place in Minnesota as of August 4, 1997, if your original licensure was prior to that date). Your required experience must be verified by a licensed professional geologist. See MN Rules 1800.0800.
Professional Geologist by Comity Application
The comity application fee is $75. If your application is approved, you will be instructed by mail how to apply for your license. The license fee is $120.
Note: You are not licensed and cannot practice or hold out as licensed in Minnesota until the Board processes your license.
Regardless of when obtained, your license expires June 30th of every even-numbered year.
Stay Connected
Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design (AELSLAGID)
85 E. 7th Place Suite 160, St. Paul MN 55101 USA
8:00 am–4:30 pm, Monday-Friday
(651) 296-2388
TTY (800) 627-3529
aelslagid@state.mn.us
Staff Directory
Receive eNews from the Board
Note: Email addresses are considered private data in Minnesota. Signing up for eNews is entirely "opt in": The only way to receive it is by signing up directly yourself.
Board staff cannot subscribe or unsubscribe you, or change your email address. Subscribers manage their own accounts using the links provided in the emails, once they have confirmed their subscription by replying to an initial "Subscription Confirmation Requested" email.