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Professional Geologist Licensure Requirements and the ASBOG National Geology License Examinations
National Association of State Boards of Geology
Course Number
ASBOG001-
Classes Start
Estimated Effort
1.5 hours-
Classes End
About This Course
The purpose of professional licensing is to ensure a minimum level of competency for practitioners in a given field in order to protect the public. Having a license to practice geology is a requirement in the majority of United States, Canada and several other countries. In contrast to other professions, a disconnect has developed between applied geologists and academia. Professional licensing requirements are a fact of life for applied geologists. Unfortunately, many faculty members have limited understanding of the licensing requirements that their students must deal with once they graduate.
This course provides an overview of geology licensure qualification requirements in the United States and explores the national licensing examinations for geologists prepared by the National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG®). Speakers also demonstrate how data from the ASBOG® Fundamentals of Geology examination can be used as a curriculum assessment and curriculum modification tool.
The course presenters are:
- Laurie Racca, PG 6980, Senior Registrar, Geology & Geophysics, California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
- Randy Kath, Professor of Geology, Department of Geosicences, University of West Georgia
- Jack Warner, President, TEST, Inc.
Course Objectives
Students are expected to learn the following when they take this course:
- The different types of professional geologists licenses
- Why professional licensure is important
- How data from the ASBOG® Fundamentals of Geology examination can be used as a curriculum assessment and curriculum modification tool
Course Format
This is an asynchronous short-course that contains videos, resources for learning more, and a set of questions in each section to help facilitate learning. An asynchronous course is a course that can be done on your own time. Feel free to pause, take a break, and come back to your saved progress to continue with the course. There is no deadline for completion of this course.
Note: For tips on taking this course via the edX mobile app, please visit the edX Learner’s Guide, and read the section on using the edX mobile app for the most up-to-date information.
Obtaining Continuing Education Units
If your course grade is at least 70%, you may apply for 0.15 CEU credit. There is an administrative fee for the issuance of the CEU, and you can view the fee structure here. You can check your final grade by clicking on the Progress menu item in the course navigation menu at the top of the page.
Requirements
There are no pre-requisites for this course.
Course Staff
American Geosciences Institute staff serve as the facilitators for this course. If you have questions at any time during this course, you can email your questions to learning@americangeosciences.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take the course using the edX mobile app?
For tips on taking the course via the edX mobile app, please visit the edX Learner’s Guide, and read the section on using the edX mobile app for the most up-to-date information.
Do I have to take this course all at one time to pass it?
No, in fact that's the advantage of offering asynchronous online courses. You can go through the course at your own pace, pause when you wish, save your progress, and resume the course when it’s convenient for you to do so.
Do I have to pay a registration fee for the course?
There is no registration fee for the course. You may view the entire course, and complete all the assessments, assignments, and exams at no cost.
Are Continuing Education Units available for this course?
If you would like to receive credit for the course and obtain CEUs, you will need to pass the course with a minimum of a 70%, fill out a form to register for the CEUs, and pay an administrative fee. The administrative fee for CEUs varies for each course. Please see details in the “How to Obtain CEUs” section at the end of the course.