Geological Society of America Issues New Position Statement on Professional Licensure for Geologists
Boulder, Colo., USA: The Geological Society of America (GSA) has released a new position statement affirming its support for professional licensure of geologists in fields directly tied to public health, safety, and welfare. The statement, The Benefits of Professional Geologist Licensure, underscores the essential role licensed geologists play in ensuring competent, ethical, and accountable practice in areas such as natural resource management, infrastructure development, environmental protection, and hazard mitigation.
As of July 2025, 31 states and Puerto Rico require licensure for geologists whose work affects public safety. However, efforts in some states to weaken or eliminate licensure pose risks to the integrity of professional practice and, ultimately, to the public. GSA's position emphasizes the importance of safeguarding and strengthening licensure programs through supportive legislation, institutional partnerships, and education.
"Professional licensure is essential for protecting the public and upholding the highest standards of geologic practice," says Jim Heller, a Professional Geologist and member of GSA Council. "As geologists, we are often responsible for decisions that affect infrastructure, natural resources, and public safety. Licensure ensures that those responsibilities are met with accountability, competence, and integrity."
The position statement highlights the many ways licensure advances public protection and professional standards. Licensed geologists are uniquely equipped to assess geohazards such as landslides, earthquakes, and flooding, provide reliable evaluations of groundwater and mineral resources, and ensure accurate environmental data collection. In infrastructure projects, geologists and engineers work hand in hand: geologists evaluate the rock, soil, and groundwater conditions on which civil structures are built, while engineers design accordingly.
Like medicine, engineering, and architecture, geology involves applied expertise with direct consequences for society. Licensure provides a formal mechanism for oversight, accountability, and enforcement. It also creates pathways for professional development, enhancing career opportunities and supporting consistent educational standards in university geoscience departments.
"ASBOG is committed to promoting the competent practice of geology by delivering rigorous licensure examinations, expanding license availability and mobility, and fostering academic training that protects public health, safety, and welfare," says ASBOG Executive Director Deana Sneyd. "We welcome GSA's strong statement of support, which reinforces the value of licensure and helps ensure that geoscientists are prepared to meet the demands of practice in ways that protect communities and advance the profession."
GSA's position also stresses the importance of informing students of the value of licensure early in their education. Universities play a key role in preparing graduates to meet the requirements of the Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG®) examinations and encouraging students to pursue the Geologist-in-Training designation soon after completing their undergraduate degrees.
GSA calls on governments, institutions of higher learning, industry leaders, and professional societies to work together in support of professional geologist licensure. Strong licensure programs help reduce risks, protect communities, and ensure that the nation's geologic resources are managed responsibly.
The full position statement, The Benefits of Professional Geologist Licensure, was formally adopted by the Geological Society of America in August 2025 and is available at https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/Positions/position29.aspx.
About the Geological Society of America
The Geological Society of America (GSA) is a global professional society with more than 17,000 members across over 100 countries. As a leading voice for the geosciences, GSA advances the understanding of Earth's dynamic processes and fosters collaboration among scientists, educators, and policymakers. GSA publishes Geology, the top-ranked geoscience journal, along with a diverse portfolio of scholarly journals, books, and conference proceedings—several of which rank among Amazon's top 100 best-selling geology titles.
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