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Being A PG
This Page Last Updated 10-16-09.
Professional Geologists are stewards of the earth's natural resources. It is incumbent upon Pennsylvania's PGs to utilize and protect Pennsylvania's natural resources with integrity, ethics, and in compliance with Pennsylvania's Professional Geology laws and regulations.
This page provides information about Pennsylvania's PG law and regulations, links to relevant websites, and policies about being a PG in the Commonwealth.
Renew Your License
You should have renewed your PA P.G. license by September 30, 2009. Please go to the State Licensing Board Website to renew. PCPG is NOT the Licensing Board. We are a Professional Organization.
Link To Licensing Board Website.
Continuing Education Question
When will I need my CEUs (Continuing Education Units)?
The State Licensing Board Does Not Know When The Continuing Education Regulations Will Be Enacted.
Discussion at the PA Licensing Board Meeting, on September 16, 2009, indicated that continuing education will be required SOMETIME during the 2009-2011 license cycle, but the Board is uncertain exactly when regulations will be promulgated. The next Liscensing Board Meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2009.
PCPG is in contact with members of the State Licensing Board. When we are notified that the regulations have been approved, we will send an e-mail to PCPG MEMBERS and give our MEMBERS all of the available, relevant, information about continuing education requirements. PCPG is NOT the Licensing Board, we have no control over the current situation.
Want to make sure you receive up-to-date news about continuing education - Join PCPG.
Please understand PCPG is NOT the State. We have no control over when continuing education credits will be required. PCPG is a professional organization. When you pay your licensing fee to the Licensing Board, you do NOT automatically become a member of PCPG.
More Confusion & Complications
In addition to the situation with the Regulations, a PA House of Represntatives bill to modify the existing law regarding Continuing Education has been approved by the House and is presumably being sent to the Senate. Please See PCPG's Legislation Page for further information.
Also read a letter from the Executive Director attempting to explain the conflict between the Regulations and potential changes to the existing Law. Download PDF
Meanwhile, the Licensing Board is reviewing public comments regarding the continuing education REGULATIONS and expects to submit the revised regulations to all of the required governmental committees, commissions, and the General Assembly during the fall of 2009. As we receive additional information we will try to keep our MEMBERS updated. The cited regulations have been wrritten pursuant to the existing law, not the new legislation in the General Assembly.
Additional Information
Very briefly, the current law states that 24 CEUs will be required in every 2-year licensing period. Each single hour of continuing education is equivalent to 1 CEU.
Further information pertaining to continuing education requirements can be found in
SB 655.
Licensure Law
The PG licensure law, referred to as both Act 367, the original legislation that created licensing requirements for engineers and land surveyors, and as Act 151, which amended that legislation to include the licensing of Professional Geologists:
1992 P.L.1151, No.151
Act 367
PCPG is not a licensing board, we are an organization of earth resource professionals and consultants. PG licensing, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is the responsibility of the State Licensing Board:
State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists
The Board is part of the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Although PCPG is not the licensing board, two PGs sit on the Board and provide geologists representation on the Board.
Regulations
The regulations governing the practice of geology in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are found in 49 PA Code Chapter 37.
Chapter 37 in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Code of Ethics
Pennsylvania PG's are bound by a Code of Ethics defined in Section 4(g) of the Regulations:
- It is our responsibility to act for our clients or employers in professional matters only as faithful agents or trustees, and accept only the stated remuneration.
- It is our responsibility never to injure falsely or maliciously, directly or indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects or business of anyone.
- It is our responsibility never to attempt to supplant another Geologist after definite steps have been taken towards that other Geologist's employment.
- It is our responsibility never to attempt to compete with another Geologist for employment by the use of unethical practices.
- It is our responsibility never to review the work of another Geologist for the same client without their knowledge, unless their connection with the work has terminated.
- It is our responsibility never to attempt to obtain or render technical services or assistance without fair and just compensation; donation of services to a civic, charitable, religious, or eleemosynary organization is permitted.
- It is our responsibility never to advertise in self-laudatory language, or in any other manner, derogatory to the dignity of the profession.
- It is our responsibility never to attempt to practice in any field of geology in which we are not proficient.
- It is our responsibility never to use or permit the use of your professional seal on work over which you have not been in responsible charge.
- It is our responsibility never to aid or abet any person in the practice of geology not in accordance with the provisions of the Act or prior laws.
PG Seal
Requirements stipulating the use of the PG seal are specified in Section 37.59 of the Regulations.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) developed a policy stipulating those submittals which must be sealed by a PG: PA Bulletin Volume 26, Number 15, April 13, 1996
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