(a) Qualifying examinations:
  (1) An applicant for the Geology discipline must pass both parts of the ASBOG® examination. Applicants taking the ASBOG® examinations must also abide by the rules and regulations of ASBOG®.
  (2) An applicant for the Soil Science discipline must pass both parts of the Council of Soil Science Examiners (CSSE) examination. Applicants taking the CSSE examinations must also abide by the rules and regulations of CSSE.
  (3) An applicant for the Geophysics discipline must pass the Texas Geophysics Examination (TGE).
(b) An applicant may request an accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Proof of disability may be required.
(c) An applicant who does not timely arrive at and complete a scheduled examination will forfeit the examination fee.
(d) Cheating on an examination is grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of a license and/or an administrative penalty.
(e) An applicant who has passed an examination may not retake that type of examination.
(f) Exam Waiver. Applicants requesting a waiver from any examination(s) shall complete a Waiver Request (Form VI) and shall comply with §851.22 regarding Waivers and Substitutions.
(g) Examination requirements and examination procedure: A qualified individual who has not passed qualifying licensing examination(s) may access and abide by all relevant components of one of the following procedures to sit for a qualifying examination(s) in the appropriate discipline:
  (1) Licensure in the discipline of geology (part I)/ASBOG® Fundamentals of Geology examination:
    (A) Requirements: Completion of the education qualifications for licensure as specified in Texas Occupations Code §1002.255 and §851.25 of this chapter or currently enrolled in a course of study that meets the education requirements for licensure and within two regular semesters of completion of the qualifying course of study.
    (B) Procedure:
      (i) The applicant shall complete and submit an Exam Request (Form E) and any required documents to the TBPG, along with the appropriate fee by the deadline posted on the TBPG website for the examination date desired by the applicant.
      (ii) The Board staff will review the application and inform the applicant of any deficiencies in the application. Upon determination that the requirements have been met, the Board staff will provide the applicant instructions on how to register, pay the examination fee and schedule to sit for the examination.
      (iii) The applicant shall follow all examination administration procedures and take the examination.
      (iv) The Board staff shall notify the applicant of the results of the examination after receiving the results from ASBOG®.
  (2) Licensure in the discipline of geology (part II)/ASBOG® Practice of Geology examination:
    (A) Requirements:
      (i) Under application for licensure as a Professional Geoscientist with the TBPG.
      (ii) Meet all other qualifications for licensure as specified in §851.20 of this chapter and be within six months of meeting the qualifying experience requirement.
    (B) Procedure:
      (i) The applicant shall complete and submit the following:
        (I) Application for P.G. Licensure (Form A), in accordance with the application procedures as specified in §851.20 of this chapter, along with the appropriate fee;
        (II) Qualifying Work Experience Record (Form A-1), as specified in §851.23 of this chapter;
        (III) Exam Request (Form E), along with the appropriate fee; and
        (IV) Any required documents to the TBPG, by the deadline posted on the TBPG website for the examination date desired by the applicant.
      (ii) The Board staff will review the application and inform the applicant of any deficiencies in the application. Upon determination that the requirements have been met, the Board staff will provide the applicant instructions on how to register, pay the examination fees and schedule to sit for the examination.
      (iii) The applicant shall follow all examination administration procedures and take the examination.
      (iv) The Board staff shall notify the applicant of the results of the examination after receiving the results from ASBOG®.
  (3) Licensure/Certification in the discipline of geophysics/TGE/TFGE:
    (A) Requirements:
      (i) Under application for licensure as a Professional Geoscientist with the TBPG and meet all qualifications for licensure as specified in §851.20 of this chapter, with the exception of the examination requirement; or
      (ii) Under application for certification as a Geoscientist-in-Training with the TBPG and meet all qualifications for certification as a Geoscientist-in-Training in §851.41 of this chapter with the exception of the examination requirement.
    (B) Procedure:
      (i) The applicant shall complete and submit the following:
        (I) Application for P.G. Licensure (Form A), in accordance with the application procedures as specified in §851.20 of this chapter, along with the appropriate fee;
        (II) Qualifying Work Experience Record (Form A-1), as specified in §851.23 of this chapter;
        (III) Exam Request (Form E), along with the appropriate fee; and
        (IV) Any required documents to the TBPG, by the deadline posted on the TBPG website for the examination date desired by the applicant.
      (ii) The Board staff will review the application and inform the applicant of any deficiencies in the application. Upon determination that the requirements have been met, the Board staff will provide TGE scheduling and examination payment information to the applicant.
      (iii) The applicant shall submit the required information, along with the examination fee to the TBPG.
      (iv) The applicant shall follow all examination administration procedures and take the examination.
      (v) The Board staff shall notify the applicant of the results of the examination.
  (4) Licensure in the discipline of soil science/Council of Soil Science Examiners (CSSE) Fundamentals of Soil Science and Practice of Soil Science Examinations: An applicant must meet the examination requirements of the CSSE; apply to take the required examinations directly with the CSSE and submit the required fees; follow all examination procedures of the CSSE; take and pass both parts of the examination; and follow CSSE procedures to ensure that the passing scores are forwarded to the TBPG.

Source Note: The provisions of this §851.21 adopted to be effective December 15, 2010, 35 TexReg 10695; amended to be effective December 11, 2014, 39 TexReg 9539; amended to be effective December 28, 2017, 42 TexReg 7406; amended to be effective October 31, 2018, 43 TexReg 7140; amended to be effective March 6, 2022, 47 TexReg 947; amended to be effective September 26, 2023, 48 TexReg 5550