Nebraska Board of Geologists

Fundamentals of Geology (FG) Exam

Qualifications

To be eligible to sit for the FG exam in Nebraska, an applicant must:

Have completed a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours or forty-five (45) quarter hours of coursework in geology regardless of whether or not a geology or geological specialty degree has been earned.
Submit two character references

Application Process

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all required applications, documents, and fees are received by the Board by the deadline posted above.

Complete and submit the Fundamentals of Geology Exam application along with the application fee.
Request a copy of your official transcripts be sent directly to the Nebraska board from the granting institution(s), or its authorized agent(s), from which your geology courses/degree were earned. Electronic copies may be sent to the Board at nebog.board@nebraska.gov.
Have two character reference forms submitted directly to the Nebraska board from the individuals completing the forms. Reference forms will not be accepted from the applicant.

Once all the above has been received by the Board’s office, the application will go to the Board for review and action at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Approved candidates will be notified by the board.

NOTE: All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Board approval to sit for the FG exam is valid for five years from the date of the first scheduled exam administration after approval. If the exam is not passed during this time, a candidate will be required to submit a new application, application fee, meet the requirements in effect at the time of re-application, and receive re-approval from the Board in order to register and sit for the exam.

Upon successful passage of the FG exam in Nebraska, a candidate will be enrolled as a Geologist Intern in this State.

Exam Failures

After the third and each subsequent failure of the FG, the examinee will be required to successfully complete two of the seven core geology courses as listed above and submit official proof of such to the Board for approval prior to being authorized to retake the exam. The Board recommends the courses be taken in the areas of exam deficiency. Section I: General Information and the affidavit section of the applicable exam application must be submitted along with the current application fee and a request to retake the exam will be required.

Practice of Geology (PG) Exam

Qualifications

To qualify to sit for the PG exam in Nebraska an applicant must:

Hold a bachelor's or advanced degree in geology or a related geological specialty
Have earned at least thirty semester hours or forty-five quarter hours of coursework in geology including five of the following courses or their equivalents: field geology; physical geology; mineralogy; petrology/petrography; structural geology; stratigraphy/sedimentology/soils; or hydrogeology.
Have passed the FG exam (An applicant may sit for both the FG and PG in the same administration if they have met the education and experience requirements)
Have a minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience following the satisfaction of the education requirements
Submit four references, two of which must be from licensed professional geologists. (If an applicant sat for the FG exam in Nebraska, only the two licensed professional geologist reference forms are required)

Application Process

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all required applications, documents, and fees are received by the Board by the posted deadline above.

Complete and submit the Practice of Geology Exam application along with the application fee. The application and all supporting documents must be received by the published deadline.
Request a copy of your official transcripts to be sent directly to the Nebraska board from the institution(s), or its authorized agent(s), from which your geology degree(s) were earned. Electronic copies may be sent to the Board at nebog.board@nebraska.gov. (If you have taken the FG exam in Nebraska in the last ten years, you do not need to submit new transcripts unless you have a graduate degree you want to use toward your experience requirement)
Have four reference forms submitted directly to the Nebraska board from the individuals completing the forms. Two must be from licensed professional geologists. (If you sat for the FG exam in Nebraska, only the licensed professional or qualified geologist references are required.) Reference forms will not be accepted from the applicant.

Once all the above has been received by the Board’s office, the application will be sent to the Board for its review and action at its next scheduled regular meeting. Approved candidates will be notified by the board.

NOTE: All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Board approval to sit for the PG exam is valid for five years from the date of the first scheduled exam administration after approval. If the exam is not passed during this time, a candidate will be required to submit a new application, application fee, meet the requirements in effect at the time of re-application, and receive re-approval from the Board in order to register and sit for the exam.

Upon successful passage of the PG in Nebraska, a candidate will be licensed as a licensed professional geologist in this State.

Obtaining a Seal

Licensees may use the company of their choice to obtain an official license seal. For your convenience, a list of companies offering this service can be found on our Links of Interest page.

Exam Failures

After the third and each subsequent failure of the PG, the examinee will be required to successfully complete two of the seven core geology courses as listed in Chapter 3.4.8 of the Board’s Rules and Regulations and submit official proof of such for Board approval prior to being authorized to retake the exam. The Board recommends the courses be taken in the areas of exam deficiency. Section I: General Information and the affidavit section of the applicable exam application must be submitted along with the current application fee and a request to retake the exam will be required.

Fundamentals of Geology (FG) Application