Most states have provisions for either granting a professional license to earth scientists to practice. The specific scope of
the licenses vary, and while most are focused on the occuption of geologist, some are focused on environmental professionals as well.
In addition, a number of states do not issue formal licenses but rather recognize professional certifications, such as those
provided by the American Institute of Professional Geologists.
Nearly all of the licenses and certifications have a required examination. The examining authorities also vary by state, with some conducting their
own exams, while others rely on the examinations by ASBOG or AIPG.
State License or Certification Examining Authority License or Certification Name
Alabama Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Alaska Yes
AIPG
Certified Professional Geologist
Arizona Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Arkansas Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
California Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Colorado No
None
None
Connecticut Yes
State Board
Licensed Environmental Professional
Delaware Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Florida Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Georgia Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Hawaii No
None
None
Idaho Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Illinois Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Indiana Yes
ASBOG
Licensed Professional Geologist
Iowa Yes
State Board
Certified Groundwater Professional
Kansas Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Kentucky Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Louisiana Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geoscientist
Maine Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Maryland No
None
None
Massachusetts Yes
State Board
Licensed Site Professionals
Michigan No
None
The Fundamentals of Geology (FG) examination is administered by the state but licensure for Professional Geologists is not offered
Minnesota Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Mississippi Yes
ASBOG
Registered Professional Geologist
Missouri Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Montana No
None
None
Nebraska Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Nevada Yes
State Board
Certified Environmental Manager
New Hampshire Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
New Jersey Yes
State Board
Licensed Site Remediation Professional
New Mexico No
None
None
New York Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
North Carolina Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
North Dakota No
None
None
Ohio No
None
None
Oklahoma No
None
None
Oregon Yes
ASBOG
Registered Geologist
Pennsylvania Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Puerto Rico Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Rhode Island No
None
None
South Carolina Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
South Dakota Yes
State Board
Petroleum Release Service Professional: Certified Petroleum Release Assessor or Certified Petroleum Release Remediator
Tennessee Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Texas Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geoscientist
Utah Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Vermont No
None
None
Virginia Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Washington Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
West Virginia No
None
None
Wisconsin Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist
Wyoming Yes
ASBOG
Professional Geologist