Regulation of the Practice of Geology in the United States

Overview: 

Today’s educated professionals in the earth sciences function in a maze of different educational and training requirements, which vary from state to state and from profession to profession. With environmental issues and the use of our natural resources a pressing concern, how does one understand and utilize geology? How is geology different from civil engineering?

What areas of work in geology and the earth sciences require the unique professional education, training, and experience that becomes mandated by the state when geology is regulated by the government? What work in the earth sciences requires professional judgment and skill so as to be regulated by the government through mandatory laws applicable to an individual person practicing his or her chosen profession of geology? 

State laws are enacted for the protection of the public by legislatures in all the fifty states. Yet not every state even regulates geology. For the states which do regulate the practice of geology, discover the unique uniformity – and differences – from the perspective of the National Association of State Boards of Geology. This organization owns and administers the examination adopted by the states which is mandated by law in the practice of geology in those states where geology is regulated. 

These state laws impose significant regulation on geology, and often in very different ways found in many aspects of state regulation, from the educational process, the examination requirements, the state licensure applications, and the legal standards and rules of the geologic profession. Just as important, learn some of the state law exemptions from regulation of the practice of geology. Why are governmental agencies so often exempt from state laws? Why are other professions exempt from state regulation in geology when a professional in the earth sciences may be performing the same tasks? 

As a side body of knowledge, explore how state licensure boards in geology are created and function at the state level. While most such state regulatory agencies have common, core functions and operations, there are many differences. Review the common requirements the state imposes on the provider of geologic services. Know the basics of professional education and licensure in geology. Understand the difference between legally binding laws in geology and mere codes of ethics, which are aspirational and do not form the basis for legal action. Find out how to understand and navigate the challenges presented from differing and conflicting state laws governing the practice of the earth sciences as they relate to geology. Know where key requirements exist that are common in the regulation of the practice of geology. 

This program offers an objective, thorough review of the common basics of state regulation of the profession of geology. 

Why should you Attend: Identifying and understanding the professional practice of the earth sciences is a daunting task in today’s multidisciplinary environment. Earth sciences bring together a number of diverse professionals working in a common setting of the environment. As independence for our nation’s energy needs becomes critical to our national security, geologists – and other professionals – provide a unique role in identifying, tapping, and extracting our nation’s vast natural resources. 

Yet state laws vary from state to state and with overlapping scopes of practice between professions and even between independent professions and government services. While geology laws are enacted for the protection of the public, they impose significantly different regulation from state to state, and often in very different ways. Find out how to understand and navigate the practice of geology which requires specific education, training, and experience. This presentation looks at this body of practice of geology as presented from differing and conflicting state laws. Answer confusion with a fundamental, insightful examination of licensure in geology by the state – and identifying the states where geology is not regulated. 

Erase uncertainty in this program by knowing the state’s power to regulate the profession of geology and by reviewing the basics of professional regulatory law as applied to geology. 

This program offers an objective, thorough review of the basics of state regulation of geology. Once completed, the successful knowledge gained during this seminar will empower one’s broad overview of the geologic profession in the United States. 

Areas Covered in the Session:

  • Sources of legal requirements for professional licensure as they relate to geology;
  • Exemptions at the state level from the legal requirements for professional licensure as they relate to geology;
  • The difference between government licensure in geology and private certification;
  • Educational requirements and training common to the geologic professionals;
  • State licensure mandates as applied to the practice of geology;
  • State agency creation and implementation of the law of the practice of geology;
  • Education versus training; theoretical knowledge versus practice;
  • Examination of the national organization which owns and administers the key examination mandated by state laws in the profession of geology.

Who Will Benefit:

  • Earth Sciences Professionals
  • Environmental Attorneys
  • Teachers and Educators in graduatelevel earth sciences and geology education across the United States
  • Corporate Counsel in energy and environmental companies
Speaker Profile

Mark Brengelman became interested in the law when he graduated with both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Philosophy from Emory University in Atlanta. He then earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky College of Law. In 1995, Mark became an Assistant Attorney General and focused in the area of administrative and professional law. He represented multiple boards as General Counsel and Prosecuting Attorney. 
Compliance4All
Adam Fleaming
Phone: +1-800-447-9407 
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