National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG)

The National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG®) is an organization through which its State Member Boards may act and counsel together to better discharge their responsibilities. ASBOG® provides a forum to promote, foster, and advance the common interests and purposes of its Member Boards. The supporting membership of ASBOG® is its Member Boards. Member Boards are dues-paying State Boards or other legal entities constituted by States, Territories and the District of Columbia of the United States of America to administer the registration/licensure of geologists. One of ASBOG®'s principal duties is to develop standardized written examinations for assessing qualifications of applicants seeking licensure as professional geologists. The ASBOG® National Geology Examination development and validation procedures are designed to maximize the fairness and quality of the examinations. State Member Boards of registration/licensure are provided with uniform examinations that are valid measures of competency related to the practice of the profession. This process benefits those candidates who are taking the examinations and enhances the protection of the general public. The National Geology Examination is administered by the ASBOG® Member Boards simultaneously in the spring and fall of each year. Currently, ASBOG® provides its Member Boards with two multiple-choice examinations -- the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) and the Practice of Geology (PG). The FG and PG examinations have been developed to assess common knowledge and skills related to the practice of geology throughout the nation. The FG examination emphasizes knowledge and skills that are typically acquired in an academic setting and lead to a bachelors degree. The PG examination emphasizes skills and knowledge acquired or expanded in a practice or job setting. Individual Member Boards may require additional testing on local geology, statutes, rules and regulations that address state-specific issues.