How to get your license: Engineering geologists or hydrogeologists (WA licensed geologists)
Due to COVID-19, the Geologist Exam scheduled for March 20, 2020 has been rescheduled to October 1 & 2, 2020.
We have a new online service for managing professional and business licenses. These videos and guides can help you set up your account access. For help using the new service, please contact your professional licensing program.
We expect a processing delay for mailed applications and renewals. Renew or apply online for faster processing of your license. Thank you for your patience and we apologize for any inconvenience.
We expect a processing delay for mailed applications and renewals. Renew or apply online for faster processing of your license. Thank you for your patience and we apologize for any inconvenience.
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
- Submit your application by sending us the following:
- Completed Geologist Specialty License Application.
- If you're submitting educational equivalents: Course syllabi/class outlines, copies of study materials, and the tables of contents of books used in the courses, or certificate of completion for non-academic courses. These education equivalents will be reviewed and must be approved by us.
- Completed List of Projects form for Engineering Geologists or Hydrogeologist.
- Check or money order, payable to the Department of Licensing, for the specialty license and exam fees.
- 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.
- 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) - 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.
