Q: What examinations will I need to take?
DOPL utilizes the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) and Practice of Geology (PG) exams.
Q: When are the FG & PG exams administered?
The ASBOG FG and PG exams are administered twice each year once in the Spring and once in the Fall. The dates are set by ASBOG, and the exams are typical scheduled for the 3rd Thursday and Friday of March and the first Thursday and Friday of October. ASBOG has published the following schedule for upcoming exams:
2025 – October 2 and 3
2026 – March 19 and 20; October 1 and 2
2027 – March 18 and 19; September 30 and October 1
Q: What is the deadline for applying for the exam?
The Board must review and approve the application for exam before candidates can be added to the system that allows for scheduling. The exam application deadline is three weeks prior to the Board meeting occurring before the upcoming date of the exam you wish to sit for.
Q: What is the process for applying for the exam?
There is a series of steps that occur during the application and exam process. This is how the application process goes:
- First you will create a customer account through edopl.idaho.gov.
- Once you have done so, the next step would be to use the Online Services portal to apply for the exam.
- The system will guide you through the application process, prompting you to enter the necessary information.
- Once the application is complete, it will be placed on the next available meeting of the Board of Geologists.
- After the Board has given the approval to take the exam, DOPL staff receive notification.
- From there we will add you to the roster of candidates with the testing vendor.
- You will then receive an email from the testing vendor with details for scheduling the exam.
Q: How to I apply to take the FG or PG exam?
To do this, when you are logged in, you’ll want to go to the tab that has the options that show the different applications you can select. From there, you’ll click on the option to Apply for a License/Registration/Certification. The online application will guide you through the various forms of documentation you need to provide.
The October exams are 10/2 and 10/3 and what makes it a bit complicated for applicants is that this Board typically only meets two or three times a year. The application for exam must be approved by the Board before you can be added to the scheduling list which allows you to register for the exam with ASBOG.
The next scheduled Board meeting is on 7/23/2025, and to have your application for exam considered at that meeting, you’ll need to have it completely ready to go no later than 7/3. Since they don’t have any additional meetings set yet, I anticipate they may set another meeting for the year during the July meeting, but I don’t know if it will be before or after the exam deadline.
Q: What should I study to prepare for the exam?
You can access the ASBOG test blueprint on the Documents tab of www.asbog.org or by clicking on this link ASBOG Exam Blueprint. The ASBOG Candidate Handbook is also very helpful and can be found on the ASBOG website under the Candidate’s section or by clicking this link ASBOG Candidate Handbook. Additional study resources and materials can be found on that same page ASBOG Candidate Study Material.
Q: What happens after I pass the FG or PG exam?
It typically takes ASBOG 8-12 weeks to review and score the examination. Once the scores are released from ASBOG, DOPL staff add your scores to your application in the Online Services system. The application is then put into the queue for processing. You will also receive an emailed score report from ASBOG, roughly around the same time your score is entered into the licensing system.