Exam Information
General Information
P.G. applicants must take the licensing exam(s) for their respective discipline or verify proof of passing examination scores prior to applying for licensure to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG). Please see the required examinations below.
Applicants for GIT certification are required to take the Fundamentals exam for the disciplines of geology or soil science, or the Texas Geophysics Exam for the geophysics discipline.
Which Exam is Required (click to download an easy to read PDF)
Geology Exam (ASBOG® Examination)
TBPG utilizes the National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG®) examination for Texas P.G. licensure. The ASBOG® exam is given in two parts: the Fundamentals of Geology exam (FG) and the Practice of Geology (PG) exam.
Proof of passing scores on both the Fundamentals of Geology and the Practice of Geology portions of the exam are required in order to be licensed as a P.G. in geology. If you took the ASBOG® examination(s) in Texas, your test scores should be on record at TBPG, and no further proof is required. However, if you took the ASBOG® exam in another state or jurisdiction, please submit a Verification of other licenses form to the appropriate state or jurisdiction to request verification of your passing scores be sent to TBPG. Applicants are responsible for any charges for verification of examination scores. GIT applicants need only take the Fundamentals of geology exam.
If you are looking for information about what to expect the day of the exam, please see ASBOG Exam Day Information.
Geophysics Exam (Texas Geophysics Examination)
TBPG utilizes the Texas Geophysics Examination (TGE) for P.G. licensure in the geophysics discipline. To qualify to sit for the examination, you must demonstrate that you meet all the licensing requirements for Texas Professional Geoscientist licensure. The requirements for P.G. licensure are 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of geoscience coursework, a four-year degree, and 5 years of experience in geoscience. You may apply to take the Texas Geophysics Exam by sending in an Exam Request (Form E), a completed TBPG P.G. License application (Form A), the Qualifying Work Experience Record form, sealed official academic transcripts, plus the $25 sitting fee and the $175 examination fee.
Applicants for GIT certification may take the TGE if the applicant meets the requirements for GIT certification: a four-year degree with 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of geoscience coursework. To request to sit for the TGE, you may apply online, or you can submit an Exam Request (Form E), sealed official academic transcripts, plus the $25 sitting fee and the $175 examination fee.
If you meet the examination requirements and are approved to take the exam, you will be contacted to schedule your exam date and time. For more information regarding the Texas Geophysics Examination, please review the Texas Geophysics Examination Candidate Handbook. No other information is provided for this examination.
The Texas Geophysics Exam is held in person in Austin, Texas.
Soil Science Exam (Council of Soil Science Examiners)
TBPG utilizes the Council of Soil Science Examiners (CSSE) exam, administered by CSSE for P.G. licensure. For more information on the exam, visit the CSSE website or call 608/273-8085. Proof of passing scores on both portions of the CSSE exam is required in order to be licensed in the soil science discipline. If you have passed the CSSE Soil Science licensing examinations, please download Form V – CSSE Verification of Exam Scores and submit completed form to CSSE for verification of exam scores. CSSE will forward verification directly to TBPG.
P.G. license applicants will be required to have passed the Fundamentals and Practice of Soil Science examinations. GIT applicants need to pass the Fundamentals of Soil Science exam only.
For more information about these exams and how to apply, please click on the exam page:
Geology Exam (ASBOG® Examination)
Geophysics Exam (Texas Geophysics Examination)
Soil Science Exam (Council of Soil Science Examiners)
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