To qualify for a license or recognized certification as a geologist or environmental professional requires demonstrated formal educational achievements. In most cases this includes a college degree in a specific major or covering a specific set of courses. In general these requirements are the minimum requirement for either to take the qualifying exam or for consideration of an application for recognition.
No, many geoscientists work professionally without a state license. A license or certification is a formal recognition of professional knowledge of the science, application, ethics, and other professional considerations. A license is almost always required for a geologist to sign on official government documents related to technical aspects of their work.
Possesing a professional license to practice expands the opportunities for work and career growth. Not holding a license may limit your opportunities, especially in the areas of environmentals and engineering work.
This is call repriocity, and usually one state does not recognize another state’s license like they do a driver’s license. Rather, states have various arrangements to allow geologists licensed in a different state to apply for a license. The specific rules, whether a new license provided as a courtesy or requiring an individual to take an additional exam, varies from various state-to-state matches.
To ask a question, please email Christopher Keane