Professional Geologist

Requirements

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, with a maximum of nine semester credits or 12 quarter credits applied to any one area.

Examination Overview

In most instances, applicants must first pass the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) Exam and then the Practice of Geology (PG) Exam to be considered for licensure. The FG exam can be waived under certain conditions. Applicants who successfully pass the FG Exam and graduated may choose to apply for the Geologist-In-Training, or GIT, designation.

Experience Overview

To qualify for licensure as a professional geologist, applicants must provide evidence of completing qualifying experience. Qualifying experience consists of varied, progressive, nonrepetitive, practical experience in geology and must be verified by a licensed geologist.

The amount of experience needed depends upon the type of education earned. The Experience Reference Form is used to document all relevant experience.

For Additional Information

Please visit each tab – FG/GIT, Initial License (PG), and License (Comity) – for complete details on the Education, Examination, and Experience requirements.

FG/GIT

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 described 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 (GIT) designation, to sit for the Practice of Geology (PG) Exam, and to be licensed.

If your degree is from a foreign institution, you must have your education evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). You must purchase a Course-by-Course Evaluation. The original evaluation report must be sent directly from the evaluation service to the Minnesota Board; enter the Board’s email – aelslagid@state.mn.us – as the recipient.

For details on the above, see the application for the particular exam (below) or MN Rule 1800.3910 Subparts 1-5.

Examination Overview

In most instances, applicants must first pass the FG Exam and then the PG Exam to be considered for licensure. The FG exam must be waived by the Board if the applicant requests a waiver and furnishes evidence as stated in MN Rules 1800.3910, Subpart 1, C.

Application Process

To apply for the FG Exam, submit the online FG Exam application and $25 application fee for the Board to review your qualifications and grant approval to sit for the exam. 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. Incomplete applications expire six (6) months after receipt or on the application deadline (whichever comes first).

Exam Application Deadlines

The FG Exam is a computer-based (CBT) exam developed by the Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG).

To sit for the exam you must first apply to the Board for approval to sit, then once approved, pre-register or register with Prometric, ASBOG's exam administrator, at any available Prometric test center offering the exam. The exam is offered twice per year (usually in March and in September/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 MN Board application deadline in order for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications expire on the deadline date.

Once your application for the exam is approved by the Board, you will be informed by mail how to pre-register or register for the exam.

ASBOG/Prometric: With each exam registration, you pay an examination fee. This fee is separate from the application fee and is set by and paid to ASBOG via Prometric. Questions regarding the payment of this fee, as well as potential refunds due to rescheduling an exam, must be addressed directly to ASBOG.

See the Instructions Overview for more information on how to apply online.

Geologist-In-Training (GIT)

The Board will officially notify you by mail of your FG Exam result. If you passed, have already provided the Board with a final, official transcript (sent directly to the Board by the institution either by mail or electronically) and met the education requirements outlined in MN Rules 1800.3910 Subp. 5, items a-p, the Board will issue you a Geologist-in-Training (GIT) number and provide it to you with your notification letter.

NOTE: If you sat for the FG Exam prior to graduation and submitted an unofficial transcript as part of your FG Exam application, the Board will not issue a GIT number until they receive the required final, official transcript(s).

Once you have your GIT number and the required experience, you can apply to sit for the Practice of Geology (PG) exam.

Initial License (PG)

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 Application for Professional Geologist (PG) Exam 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; it may not be submitted by the applicant.

See MN Rule 1800.3910 Subp. 3(B-E) for more details regarding what experience is qualifying experience.

Application Process

The paper Application for Professional Geologist (PG) Exam 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 $75 application fee. At this time, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other forms of electronic payment for the application fee.

Exam Application Deadlines

The PG Exam is a computer-based (CBT) exam developed by the Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG).

To sit for the exam you must first apply to the Board for approval to sit, then once approved, pre-register or register with Prometric, ASBOG's exam administrator, at any available Prometric test center offering the exam. The exam is offered twice per year (usually in March and in September/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 MN Board application deadline in order for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications expire on the deadline date.

Once your application for the exam is approved by the Board, you will be informed by mail how to pre-register or register for the exam.

ASBOG/Prometric: With each exam registration, you pay an examination fee. This fee is separate from the application fee and is set by and paid to ASBOG via Prometric. Questions regarding the payment of this fee, as well as potential refunds due to rescheduling an exam, must be addressed directly to ASBOG.

See the Instructions Overview for more information on how to apply online.

Licensure

Once you pass the PG Exam and the Board has determined that you meet all requirements for licensure, you will be sent a License Fee Letter. To obtain your professional license once you receive the letter, you must submit a check or money order for $120 made payable to “MN Board of AELSLAGID” along with a copy of the license fee letter referenced above. At this time, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other forms of electronic payment for the license fee.

Once the Board receives your license fee, a license number will be generated, and a license card will be mailed to you. A wall certificate signed by the Board Chair and Secretary and suitable for framing will be sent to you following the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. NOTE: You are not licensed and cannot practice or hold out as licensed until the Board processes your license and issues your license number.

Regardless of when it is obtained, your license expires June 30th of every even-numbered year unless renewed.

License (Comity)

Licensure by Comity (Reciprocity)

If you already hold a license in another jurisdiction, use the Application for Licensure as a Professional Geologist by Comity to apply for a reciprocal license in Minnesota. Follow the instructions in the application to provide all required additional information. Incomplete applications expire six (6) months after receipt.

Comity 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.

License Application Fee

The comity application fee is $75, payable via check or money order made payable to “MN Board of AELSLAGID”. At this time, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other forms of electronic payment for the application fee.

Licensure

Once the Board has determined that you meet all requirements for licensure, you will be sent a License Fee Letter. To obtain your professional license once you receive the letter, you must submit a check or money order for $120 made payable to “MN Board of AELSLAGID” along with a copy of the license fee letter referenced above. At this time, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other forms of electronic payment for the license fee.

Once the Board receives your license fee, a license number will be generated, and a license card will be mailed to you. A wall certificate signed by the Board Chair and Secretary and suitable for framing will be sent to you following the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. NOTE: You are not licensed and cannot practice or hold out as licensed until the Board processes your license and issues your license number.

Regardless of when it is obtained, your license expires June 30th of every even-numbered year unless renewed.

Temporary Permit

What Is a Temporary Permit?

MN Rule 1800.0900, Subpart 7 and MN Statute 326.13, clause (1) define the conditions under which you may seek a temporary permit and the permit application requirements. Temporary permits are only granted to individuals who meet the requirements for application by comity/EEE in Minnesota and who demonstrate need.

A temporary permit allows a qualified individual to accept and undertake a project in the state when the time between the offer of work and the commencement of work is so short that, following the regular license application process, a license may not be approved by the Board in time.

Temporary permits are project specific. A temporary permit does not grant the individual the right to undertake (or solicit) any other project than the one listed on the permit application until full licensure is granted.

IMPORTANT! Pre-Notification to the Board When Soliciting Work in Minnesota

Please be aware that those licensed in another jurisdiction but not in Minnesota may not solicit work in Minnesota without first notifying the Board in writing. They are further required to deliver a copy of that notice to every potential client for whom they are seeking to provide services, and they must apply for licensure/certification within ten days if selected as the design professional for a project in this state. See MN Statute 326.13, clause (2) for details.

Requesting a temporary permit neither negates nor replaces this notification requirement.

Who Can Apply

Individuals licensed or certified in a jurisdiction recognized by the Board and who would otherwise qualify for licensure by comity/EEE may apply for a temporary permit, if circumstances require one and if their profession is one of the following:

• Architect
• Professional Engineer
• Professional Geologist
• Professional Soil Scientist
• Certified Interior Designer

How to Apply

Applicants must submit BOTH the paper Application for Temporary Permit (and $120 license fee) as well as the paper Application for Licensure as a Professional Geologist by Comity (and $75 application fee). In the event that your application is denied, only the $120 license fee will be refunded.

About the Permit

If your temporary permit is approved, the Board will issue you a permit which you must sign and return to the Board within five days. Retain a signed copy for your records. Temporary permits expire 60 days from the date listed on the permit, or as soon as you receive your license number and license card – whichever comes first. Temporary permits cannot be renewed. As noted above, temporary permits are project specific. Holding a permit does not allow you to undertake or solicit additional projects.

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