Become a Florida Licensed Professional Geologist

Interested in becoming a licensed, professional geologist in the State of Florida? Listed below are four general steps to help you accomplish that goal.

1. Graduate from an accredited university with a degree in geology or other related field. You must successfully complete at least 30 semester hours, or 45 quarter hours, of geology coursework. Examples of acceptable geological courses can be found in Chapter 61G16-5, Education and Experience Requirements, Florida Administrative Code. 

2. Once you have completed 30 semester hours of geologic coursework and obtained a degree, you can submit an application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to take the first portion of National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) Exam. The first portion of the exam covers the Fundamentals of Geology (FG); by passing this part of the exam you become a Geologist-In-Training (GIT). However, once you have met the educational requirements, you are not required to become a GIT. You may apply to take both the fundamentals and practice portions of the ASBOG exam together once you have met the work experience requirement. The benefit of becoming a GIT is that you can take the fundamentals portion of the exam right after you satisfy the educational requirements outlined in step one. 

3. When you complete your educational requirements, you must gain five years of verified geological work experience, which includes a minimum of three of those years under the supervision of a licensed Florida Professional Geologist or a Florida licensed Professional Engineer who is qualified to sign-off on geological experience. 

4. Once you complete your required work experience, submit an application to DBPR to take the second portion of the ASBOG Exam, which covers the Practice of Geology (PG); at this point, you may also elect to take the first portion of the exam, if you have not already taken and passed the Fundamentals of Geology. Upon passing both portions of the ASBOG exam, DBPR will issue to you a Florida Professional Geologist license. 

This information is intended to be used as an informal guide. Please refer to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for the official rules, regulations, and instructions on licensure in the State of Florida.    

For more information, please visit the DBPR/BOPG website.