Board of Licensure of Geologists and Soil Scientists

Welcome to the website of the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR), an agency within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. We appreciate your visit to our site and we look forward to assisting you. OPOR’s Gardiner office is open to the public from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. While you are welcome to visit our offices, for faster service, we encourage you to take advantage of our many online services.

To ensure that someone is available to assist you, we recommend that you schedule an appointment in advance. Please contact us by email or by phone or through our other online services, and we will assist you. After making an appointment, click on this link for directions.

 

You may follow this link to the Secretary of State's office to view a list of board members. Members of the public should not contact board members with questions or comments.  All questions, comments or any other board-related matters must be directed to the Board’s manager.

Purpose

The State Board of Licensure of Geologists and Soil Scientists was established to ensure public safety through licensure and certification of professional geologists and soil scientists defined by education and experience.

The primary responsibility of the Board is to examine, certify and grant certificates to applicants who qualify to practice as geologists and soil scientists in the State, and to maintain current information on licensed geologists and soil scientists.

Updated Guidance and Retiring of Covid-19 Prevention Checklists, May 26, 2021 (PDF)

Notice Regarding License Verification Requests (PDF)

Effective March 1, 2019, the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) will no longer issue paper license verifications. License verifications are available, free of charge, on OPOR’s official database, https://www.pfr.maine.gov/ALMSOnline/ALMSQuery/Welcome.aspx?board=4090. This database is updated in real time as changes occur. The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation considers this information to be a secure, primary source for license verification.

Future correspondence from the State Board of Licensure of Geologists and Soil Scientists will be sent to you by email, so please be sure to keep your contact information current. Follow this link to verify your contact information.

ATTENTION Geologists and Soil Scientists:

For your information, effective September 19, 2019 the State Board of Licensure of Geologists and Soil Scientists law deleted outdated terminology by removing all references of “certified geologist” and “certified soil scientist” and replacing them with “licensed geologist” and “licensed soil scientist”, as appropriate.  Updating the term with “licensed” does not affect the professional qualifications you hold as a geologist or soil scientist.

What's New

Veterans Preference Policy (adopted February 2017)

OPOR Veterans Preference Policy February 2017 (PDF)

Laws

New Law Takes Effect September 19, 2019

Public Law Chapter 285 (LD1754) An Act To Amend the Geologist and Soil Scientist Licensing Laws
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1249&item=3&snum=129 (PDF)

The highlights of the new law allows qualified persons more options as to when they can take the soil science and geology fundamentals and practice exams, and gives another pathway to become licensed as a soil scientist. Please read the full text of the changes by clicking on the link above.
Here are the highlights:

  • WHEN YOU CAN TAKE THE ASBOG FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOLOGY EXAM The new law allows persons to take the ASBOG fundamentals of geology examination and the Maine local knowledge examination in the final year prior to or after graduation from an accredited 4-year or graduate -level program as long as persons have completed the minimum 30 credit hours in geological sciences.
  • WHEN YOU CAN TAKE THE ASBOG PRACTICE OF GEOLOGY EXAM The new law allows persons to take the ASBOG practice  of geology examination  after completing the work experience requirements.
  • WHEN YOU CAN TAKE THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SOIL SCIENCE EXAM The new law allows persons to take the fundamentals of soil science examination in the final year prior to or after graduation from an accredited 2-year program or in the final year prior to or after graduation from an accredited 4-year or graduate-level program as long as persons have completed the minimum 15 credit hours of soil or soil-related courses.
  • WHEN YOU CAN TAKE THE MAINE SOIL SCIENCE PRACTICE EXAM The new law allows persons to take the Maine soil science professional practice examination after completing the work experience requirements.
  • ASSOCIATE DEGREE PATHWAY TOWARD LICENSURE AS A SOIL SCIENTIST The new law allows persons to become licensed soil scientists who have completed an associate degree from an accredited 2-year college in soils, plants, engineering, geology, biology, forestry or other natural resources science.

Rulemaking Changes

None at this time.

Requirement to Report Convictions and Contact Information Within 10 Days of the Occurance

10 Day Notification