18 Professional Pathways within the Geosciences

Friday, 14 May 2021
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
UNR Centers for Transformative Monitoring Programs (CTEMPS) Room

50 YEARS OF PROTECTING THE PUBLIC: UNDERSTANDING KEY CONCEPTS IN CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY LICENSE LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Paper number: 18-13
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 11:40 AM – 12:00 PM

Authors

  • Laurie Racca Presenting Author
    Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, Sacramento, CA

Abstract

On August 1, 1968, Governor Ronald Reagan signed Assembly Bill 600 into law, creating the State Board of Registration for Geologists, and regulating the geologic profession in California. The legislation was driven by consumer demand for services to address geologic hazards, especially landslides in the southern part of the State. Unqualified persons performing questionable geologic work combined with a patchwork of local licensing requirements eventually resulted in the passage of The Geologist Act. The State of California has licensed geologists for 50-years. Yet even in California, where both geologic riches and geologic hazards affect the daily lives of the general public, licensure of geologists and geophysicists is often misunderstood. Consumers are confused by the variety and imprecise use of credentialing terms and a lack of understanding of the geoscience profession. Geologists may also be misled by common myths and misconceptions regarding professional licensing. This presentation will focus on the history of geology licensure in California and will include an overview of California laws and regulations that govern the practice of geology in this state. Additionally, information regarding California specific qualification requirements for the PG and GIT will be provided. This will include a discussion of the recent updates to the regulations regarding education requirements and how to properly document qualifying work experience.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 53, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2021CD-362962

© Copyright 2021 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.