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and groundwater geology since 1957

MARCH MEETING NOTICE
***Wednesday, March 23, 2016***

Greetings AEG Southern California Section Member
We hope you will join us for the AEG Southern California Section's March meeting, to be held at Ciscos Restaurant, in Westlake Village, on Wednesday, March 23rd. The presentation will be by BPELSG Geologist Laurie Racca, Sacramento, California, who will be presenting some new information about the Board's efforts to update education requirements for licensing new geologists.

Laurie Racca, PG, is a licensed Professional Geologist with 25 years of experience specializing in complex environmental site investigations and leading multidisciplinary teams. Her experience includes working in private environmental and geotechnical consulting, providing regulatory agency oversight large military and civilian environmental cleanups for the Department of Toxic Substances Control, and investigating fraud, waste and abuse as part of the Office of Enforcement at the State Water Resources Control Board. She was appointed as the Senior Registrar for Geologists and Geophysicists by BPELSG in June 2015.

Topic: "Evolution of Geology Licensing Requirements in California: Defining a Geological Sciences Degree"

Speaker: Laurie Racca
Senior Registrar & Geologist, PG,
California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG)

Location: Cisco's Mexican Restaurant
925 Westlake Blvd
Westlake Village, CA 91361
(805) 493-0533

Date/Time: Wednesday, March 23, 2016
5:45pm - Social Hour
6:45pm - Dinner
7:45pm - Program

Reservations: Please email Pedram Rahimikian at: pedram@geoconceptsinc.com
Please make reservations by e-mail prior to 5 pm,
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016


Abstract
In 2009, the state legislature mandated integration of the former Board of Registration for Geologists and Geophysicists (BGG) with the former Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. While everyone involved at the time wasn't sure how to proceed or of the outcome, BPELSG as it is known today, believes that "the result is greater than the sum of the two parts".

The role of the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists (BPELSG) is to protect the public by promoting standards for competence and integrity through licensing and regulating the Board's professions. BPELSG is inviting you to join us for a "round table discussion" focused on the evolution and current status of qualification requirements for becoming a licensed Professional Geologist in California.

Valid criteria to achieve professional licensure includes equal parts education, work experience, and success in passing the appropriate examinations. In 2004, the former BGG changed the education requirements for geology licensure. The current education requirements for geologist licensing in California are described in §7841 (b) of the Geologist and Geophysicist Act (Cal. Bus. and Prof. Code §7841). "Graduation from a college or university with a major in geological sciences or any other discipline that, in the opinion of the board, is relevant to geology."

While a "major in geological sciences" may seem like a straightforward requirement, the lack of a detailed definition of this phrase has been confusing for applicants and creates problems while reviewing applications for the Professional Geologist license. The Board intends to define the minimum curriculum for a qualifying geological sciences degree and is actively soliciting input from all stakeholders prior to rulemaking.

Please join us for a review of key concepts regarding professional licensure, a discussion of what skills and competencies should define the education requirement, and the importance of mentoring young professionals. We look forward to collecting valuable constructive input and feedback from the membership of the Southern California Section of AEG.