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How to get your license: Engineering geologists or hydrogeologists (WA licensed geologists)

For geologists licensed in another state, see Geologists, engineering geologists or hydrogeologists by reciprocity.

Requirements

To get a specialty license, you must:

  • Be currently licensed as a geologist in Washington,
  • Have completed one of the following advanced studies pertinent to your chosen specialty.
    • 18 semester or 27 quarter hours of graded academic course work
    • 270 hours of seminars or workshops
    • 540 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a geologist licensed in your chosen specialty, or others qualified to have responsible charge, as determined by the Board
  • Have at least 5 years of documented, verifiable experience in your chosen specialty, including at least 3 years under the supervision of a geologist licensed in your chosen specialty, or others qualified to have responsible charge, as determined by the Board. If applying for 2 specialties, you must have at least 5 years of documented, verifiable experience in each specialty, and
  • Pass a specialty exam adopted by, or acceptable to, the Board

How to apply

  1. Submit your application by sending us the following:
  2. Complete section 1 of an Employment and Experience Verification form for each work experience you are having verified. Have the work verifier complete section 2 and return the form to the address shown at the top of the form.
    • If you're only requesting one experience verification, you must also complete one Personal Reference form and have the reference return the form to the address shown at the top of the form.
  3. Have your college or university send official transcripts to (no overnight mail accepted):

    Geologist Licensing Board
    Department of Licensing
    PO Box 9012
    Olympia, WA 98507-9012
    Email: geologist@dol.wa.gov (Email must come directly from the third party)

  4. After we've reviewed and approved all your required documents:
    • We'll send you an exam admission letter with the date, time, and location of the specialty exam you requested.
    • Take and pass the exam.
      • You can take the exam as many times as needed to pass, but you must submit a Geologist and/or Specialty License Reexam Registration and pay the re-exam administration fees for each re-exam.
    • After you've passed the exam, we'll issue the specialty endorsement on your license.

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