The Bachelor of Science degree in Geology at SUNY Potsdam is registered as a Licensure-Qualifying Geology Program with the New York State Education Department and is designed for those who wish to earn a graduate degree in geology or to immediately pursue a career in geology. Although the Bachelor of Arts degree in Geology is not registered as a Licensure-Qualifying Geology Program with the New York State Education Department, it contains all of the same and contains the same core classes as the Geology B.S. degree. The B.A. degree could be a better fit for students who are pursuing a double major with another B.A. degree field because it requires fewer cognates and does not require a capstone experience. Should a student with a B.A. decide to pursue a professional geologist license, they could meet the educational requirements by taking an additional three credits of college-level math (beyond college algebra) and three additional credits in college-level chemistry, biology, or physics (note: B.A. education requirements will need to be verified by NYSED).
The Mandatory Professional Licensure Disclosure provided below contains information that we are legally required to share to provide “transparent disclosure about the utility of [our] programs and the practicality of whether they will lead directly to licensure or whether there will be more steps to get their after completing a particular program”. The frequently asked questions section (below) should help you understand some of the terminology in the accompanying document and to help you understand how licensure could impact your career. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your academic advisor and/or the chair or the Geology Department if you have any questions.
FAQs
In 2016, legislation was passed and signed by Governor Cuomo making NYS the 32nd state to allow for the licensure of professional geologists (see Article 145). Geologists play an important role in protecting public health, the environment, and natural resources and this law makes sure that the geologists who make the most important decisions and oversee significant projects have the necessary knowledge and experience.
You will need to do the following:
- Get a bachelor's degree in geology that meets or exceeds the minimum standards outlined by NYSED (see details here)
- Pass the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology Exam (given twice per year in March and October). You can apply to take the test through the NYS Office of Professions once you get within 20 credits of completing a degree at a registered licensure-qualifying geology programs (which the B.S. degree at SUNY Potsdam is!) or after you graduate from a non-registered program (you will have to send in a transcript and have it evaluated before you can sit for the exam).
- Get five years of practical geological work experience under the supervision of a professional geologist.
- After you get the experience, you must pass the ASBOG Practice of Geology Exam.
- Apply for your license through the NYS Office of Professions.
No. You will need a license if you want to be an owner/officer of a company that that offers geological services, an individual providing professional geological services, or become a NYS officer/employee of a certain grade. You will not need to get your license if you are an employee that works under another Professional Geologist or if you are working for a company that does not offer professional geologic services.
Mandatory Professional Licensure Disclosure
View Licensure/Certification Requirements by State (PDF)
Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified.
The Geology B.S. degree at SUNY Potsdam is registered by the New York State Education Department and is recognized as a licensure compliant program through the NYSED Office of Professions and thus the Geology B.S. degree meets the educational requirements for geologic licensure for New York State. Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that Geology B.S. degree at SUNY Potsdam meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. States and territories shown in this document (PDF); however, it is important to note that SUNY Potsdam is not the licensure/certification authority in these U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in these U.S. States and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.
The Geology B.A. degree at SUNY Potsdam is registered by the New York State Education Department but is not recognized as a licensure compliant program by the NYSED Office of Professions because it does not meet the minimum educational requirements for geologic licensure for New York State. Although the B.A. degree contains all the necessary geology classes, B.A. students who wish to pursue licensure in NYS would need to take an additional three credits of college-level math (beyond college algebra) and three additional credits in college-level chemistry, biology, or physics (note: this is our interpretation of the requirements and graduates should double check with NYSED). Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that Geology B.A. degree at SUNY Potsdam meets the educational requirements for licensure /certification in the U.S. States and territories shown in this document (PDF); however, it is important to note that SUNY Potsdam is not the licensure/certification authority in these U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in these U.S. States and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.
Please do not hesitate to contact your academic advisor if you have any questions or concerns.