| (8) Texas Geophysics Examination (TGE). An applicant
must meet minimum criteria in either Generalized Practice Experience
or Specialized Practice Experience.
(A) Generalized practice experience (must meet all
four criteria):
(i) Completed twenty (20) years of geophysics work
experience;
(ii) Completed ten (10) years of supervisory experience;
(iii) Completed coursework in six of the eight areas:
(I) Fundamentals of Geophysics;
(II) Geophysical Field Methods;
(III) Geophysical Signal Processing;
(IV) Exploration/Applied Geophysics;
(V) Engineering & Environmental Geophysics;
(VI) Hydrogeophysics;
(VII) Seismology; or
(VIII) Near-surface Geophysics: Magnetics, Electromagnetic,
Gravity, Electrical Resistivity, Seismic; and
(iv) Demonstrate the ability to plan and conduct geophysical
surveys considering public health, safety, and welfare.
(B) Specialized practice experience: The applicant
demonstrates twenty years or more of specialized work history in only
one or two of the tasks domains. One factor TBPG will consider is
whether the examination is not relevant to, or largely beyond the
scope of, the applicant's specialized experience and the applicant's
intended field of practice.
(f) Substitution of Work Experience for Educational
Requirements. Before the Appointed Board considers an application
for substitution of work experience for an education requirement,
the applicant seeking approval of the substitution must meet all of
the following minimum criteria:
(1) The applicant must pass, within three (3) attempts,
the appropriate qualifying licensing examination (or a substantially
similar examination), depending on the discipline in which the applicant
seeks to be licensed, as follows:
(A) Geology discipline: both the Fundamentals and Practice
of Geology examinations administered by ASBOG®;
(B) Geophysics discipline: the Texas Geophysics Examination
(TGE); or
(C) Soil Science discipline: both the Fundamentals
and Practice examinations administered by the Council of Soil Science
Examiners (CSSE);
(2) The applicant must have at least 15 years of qualifying
work experience, including the ability to apply scientific methods
and to solve problems;
(3) The applicant must demonstrate an established record
of continuing education and workshop participation in geoscience fields;
and
(4) The applicant is highly encouraged to appear before
the Application Review and Continuing Education Committee for presentation
of qualifications.
(g) Waiver of Education Requirement - Generally. Before
the Appointed Board considers an application for education waiver,
the applicant seeking a waiver of the education requirement must demonstrate
mastery of a minimum required knowledge base in geoscience by meeting
the following criteria:
(1) The applicant must demonstrate all of the following:
(A) A four-year degree in a field of basic or applied
science that includes at least 15 hours of courses in geosciences
from an accredited institution of higher education or the equivalent
of a total of at least 15 hours of courses in geoscience from an accredited
institution of higher education and/or other educational sources,
as determined by the Appointed Board;
(B) An established record of continuing education and
workshop participation in geoscience fields; and
(C) The Appointed Board may also determine that an
individual applicant has satisfactorily completed other equivalent
educational requirements after reviewing the applicant's educational
credentials.
(2) The applicant must have at least eight years of
qualifying geoscience work experience; and
(3) The applicant must pass the appropriate qualifying
examination, depending on the discipline in which the applicant seeks
to be licensed, as follows:
(A) Geology discipline: both the Fundamentals and Practice
examinations administered by ASBOG®;
(B) Geophysics discipline: the Texas Geophysics Examination
(TGE); or
(C) Soil Science discipline: both the Fundamentals
and Practice examinations administered by the Council of Soil Science
Examiners (CSSE).
(h) Education Waiver for License in Geology Discipline
- Fundamentals. An individual who plans to apply for licensure as
a Professional Geoscientist in the discipline of geology who does
not fully meet the education requirement for licensure may take the
ASBOG® Fundamentals of Geology examination as long as the applicant:
(1) Has submitted any other necessary forms, documents,
and fees; and
(2) Has acknowledged that the Appointed Board must
approve an education waiver request or approve the substitution of
experience for education before the applicant may be licensed as a
Professional Geoscientist and that the Appointed Board will not consider
an education waiver or a request to substitute experience for education
until after both the ASBOG® Fundamentals of Geology and Practice
of Geology examinations have been passed.
(i) Education Waiver for License in Geology Discipline
- Practice. An applicant for licensure as a Professional Geoscientist
in the discipline of geology who does not fully meet the education
requirement for licensure may take the ASBOG® Practice of Geology
examination as long as the applicant:
(1) Meets or is within six months of meeting the qualifying
experience requirement for licensure;
(2) Submits the qualifying work experience claimed
(or has verified qualifying work experience claimed through an alternate
means, as provided by TBPG rules);
(3) Has submitted a request for an education waiver
or a substitution of experience for education;
(4) Has submitted any other necessary forms, documents,
and fees; and
(5) Has acknowledged that the Appointed Board must
approve the education waiver request or a request to substitute experience
for education before the applicant may be licensed as a Professional
Geoscientist and that the Appointed Board will not consider an education
waiver or a request for substitution of experience for education until
after both the ASBOG® Fundamentals of Geology and Practice of
Geology examinations have been passed.
(j) Education Waiver for License in Geophysics Discipline.
An applicant for licensure as a Professional Geoscientist in the discipline
of geophysics who does not fully meet the education requirement for
licensure may take the Texas Geophysics Examination as long as the
applicant:
(1) Meets or is within six months of meeting the qualifying
experience requirement for licensure;
(2) Submits the qualifying work experience claimed
(or has verified qualifying work experience claimed through an alternate
means, as provided by TBPG rules);
(3) Has submitted a request for an education waiver
or a substitution of experience for education;
(4) Has submitted any other necessary forms, documents,
and fees; and
(5) Has acknowledged that the Appointed Board must
approve the education waiver request or a request to substitute experience
for education before the applicant may be licensed as a Professional
Geoscientist and that the Appointed Board will not consider an education
waiver or a request for substitution of experience for education until
after the Texas Geophysics Examination has been passed.
|
| Source Note: The provisions of this §851.22 adopted to be effective October 31, 2018, 43 TexReg 7140; amended to be effective October 28, 2019, 44 TexReg 6374; amended to be effective March 6, 2022, 47 TexReg 947; amended to be effective September 21, 2022, 47 TexReg 5861; amended to be effective September 26, 2023, 48 TexReg 5550; amended to be effective December 24, 2023, 48 TexReg 7573 |
