License requirements and application information for new licensees (individuals).
Applications for individual geology license and all supplementary forms are available on this page. Applications are reviewed by the Board at its quarterly Board Meetings. Please refer to the calendar to determine when your application will be reviewed. Applications and supporting documentation must be received in the Board office at least two weeks prior to the Board meeting.
Minimum Qualifications
An applicant shall be eligible for a license as a geologist in North Carolina provided that each applicant meets the following minimum qualifications:
Be of good moral and ethical character.
Have graduated from an accredited college or university, and have a degree with a major in geology, engineering geology or geological engineering or related geologic science; or have completed 30 semester hours or the equivalent in geological science courses leading to a major in geology, of which at least 24 hours of the equivalent were upper level undergraduate courses or graduate courses. The Board shall waive the academic requirements for a person already practicing geology at the time this Chapter is enacted, provided application for license is made not later than one year after appointment of the initial Board and provided further that the applicant can provide evidence to satisfy the Board that he or she is competent to engage in the public practice of geology.
Successfully pass such examination established by the Board which shall be designed to demonstrate that the applicant has the necessary knowledge and requisite skill to exercise the responsibilities of the public practice of geology. The Board shall waive the examination for licensing as a geologist of an applicant who makes written application to the Board not later than one year after appointment of the initial Board, and who otherwise meets the qualification of this Chapter.
Have at least five years of professional geological work which shall include a minimum of three years of professional geological work under the supervision of a licensed geologist; or a minimum of three cumulative years work in responsible charge of geological work satisfactory to the Board. The following criteria of education and experience qualify as specified toward accumulation of the required five years of professional geological work:
Each full year of undergraduate study in the geological sciences shall count as one-half year of training up to a maximum of two years, and each year of graduate study shall count as one year of work.
Credit for undergraduate study, graduate study, graduate courses, individually or in any combination thereof, shall in no case exceed a total of four years toward meeting the requirements for at least five years of professional geological work as set forth above.
The Board may consider in lieu of the above professional geological work the cumulative total of professional geological work or geological research of persons teaching upper level geology courses at the college or university level, provided such work or research can be demonstrated to be of a sufficiently responsible nature to be equivalent to the professional requirements set forth in this section.
The ability of the applicant shall have been demonstrated by his having performed the work in a responsible position as determined by the Board. The adequacy of the required supervision and the experience shall be determined by the Board in accordance with the standards set forth in regulations adopted by it. (1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1074, s. 1; 1989, c. 579, s. 3.)
Those seeking license to practice as a professional geologist or permission to sit for the ASBOG® Examination in North Carolina should complete the Application for Individual License and submit to the Board office with the $55 application fee and all required documentation, as noted below. Applicants must provide proof of the following in order to become eligible for license as a Professional Geologist in North Carolina:
Degree in geology or at least 30 semester hours of completed geoscience courses, 24 of which must be upper level or graduate courses. Education must be documented with official transcripts, in a sealed envelope from the academic institution(s). Official electronic transcripts will also be accepted direct from the institution.
Five years of experience
a. Professional experience must be under the supervision of a licensed geologist or otherwise demonstrate responsible charge of geological work satisfactory to the Board. Professional experience must be documented by employers on the Board’s Employment Verification Form.
b. Undergraduate study may qualify for up to two years of experience.
c. Graduate study may qualify for an additional two years of experience.
Five references from licensed geologists or engineers; at least two references must be obtained from licensed geologists familiar with your work. You are encouraged, but not required, to list your most recent supervisor(s) as references. Do not list relatives or persons working under your supervision. Use the Board’s Professional Reference Form.
Must pass both parts of ASBOG examination (or comparable exam if applying by comity).
1. Must meet all requirements as listed above, and provide all supporting documentation, including official transcripts.
2. Must have verification of license from other state(s) with equivalent license requirements. This must include evidence of licensing by ASBOG exam or equivalent examination.
Applicants who were grandfathered in another state without any examination, or who were licensed by exam not deemed to be equivalent to the ASBOG, must apply to take the ASBOG exam.
NCBLG staff will request verification from other state Boards, but please note that some states require an official request and/or fee from their licensees in order to verify a license.
Must present official transcript(s) indicating a degree in geology or at least 30 semester hours of completed geoscience courses, 24 of which must be upper level or graduate courses. Transcripts must be sent directly to the Board office from the academic institution(s), or must be in sealed envelope from the institution. Official electronic transcripts will also be accepted direct from the institution.
You are not required to submit employment verifications or references if only applying for the FG.
Those who pass the FG are awarded a Geologist in Training (GIT) Certificate.
Part II/Practice of Geology (PG)
Must fulfill requirements 1 through 3 for Individual License, as listed above, and provide all supporting documentation.
Individuals will not be permitted to take Part II before taking Part I of the ASBOG examination. Both parts can be taken together.
If you have already applied for Part I of the exam, you need not resubmit the application fee or transcripts when applying for Part II. You should submit an updated and notarized application.
Those who pass both parts of the ASBOG Examination are licensed without further review.
Applications must be accompanied by the $55 application fee, in the form of a check or money order, made out to NCBLG. Completed applications should be sent to:
NCBLG PO Box 41225 Raleigh, NC 27629-1225
Overnight deliveries should be sent to the Board’s street address: NCBLG 3733 Benson Drive Raleigh, NC 27609
The Board will accept supplementary documentation at via email at: barbara.geiger@ncblg.org