Geologist Licensing
In June 2000, Governor Jeanne Shaheen signed house bill HB-1510 which established the board of professional geologists in New Hampshire and authorized the regulation of the practice, examination, licensure, and discipline of professional geologists. The New Hampshire statute relative to the licensure of geologists, RSA 310-A:118-139, became effective August 20, 2000. The New Hampshire Professional Geologist Board developed administrative rules and the licensing of geologists in New Hampshire commenced on July 1, 2001.
In summary, to qualify as a candidate for licensure in New Hampshire, you must have:
- A Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral degree in geology or a related field; and
- At least five years of experience in the practice of geology, three of which were under the supervision of a licensed professional geologist or a geologist who otherwise would meet the requirements of a licensed professional geologist in New Hampshire.
Detailed licensing requirements and an application form can be
found on the Joint Board web site at www.nh.gov/jtboard/geo.htm.
The Licensing Rules are available at: www.state.nh.us/jtboard/georules.htm.
The Professional Geologist Statute is available at: www.state.nh.us/jtboard/geolaw.htm.
In summary, the licensing process begins with the initial submission of a completed application to the Joint Board with a $200 fee. If the Joint Board staff review finds that the application form is complete, they will send reference and transcript request forms to the applicant. It is then the responsibility of the applicant to send the requests out to their references and schools, who must return the completed references and transcripts directly to the Joint Board. It is the responsibility of the applicant to follow up to make sure the requested documents are submitted to the Joint Board. Once a complete application package with references and transcripts is received by the Joint Board, the package will be reviewed by a Geologist Board member. The reviewer will determine if satisfactory evidence has been provided supporting that the applicant qualifies to take the exam or that clarification and/or more information is needed. The applicant is then contacted for more information or given approval to take the next exam. Exams are given every spring and fall. The exam fee is $400. The cutoff date to sign up for the exam is one month before the exam date. An applicant may take the exam up to 3 consecutive times. After a passing exam grade is received, the results are forwarded to the board. At the next Geologist Board meeting the application will be voted on and a license granted, if appropriate.
Licenses must be renewed every two years. Licenses may now be
renewed on-line at https://nhlicenses2.nh.gov/professional/.
The board must verify that the licensee has met all conditions
and requirements of renewal before the license is renewed. Continuing
education is required for license renewal. Each licensee must
have at least 24 hours of continuing education activities during
the biennial renewal period. New licensees must have at least
12 hours for their first biennial renewal period. Some opportunities
for continuing education can be found on this website: click on
the Continuing Education button to the left. Our list is not all-inclusive
of continuing education opportunities. Licensees are responsible
for seeking out and completing their own continuing education.
Continuing education requirements are detailed in the Licensing
Rules in Part 403. The Licensing Rules are available at: www.state.nh.us/jtboard/georules.htm.
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