MISSISSIPPI STATE BOARD OF REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGISTS

NEW PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
777 HARRIS STREET, SUITE 103
JACKSON, MS 39202

MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. BOX 22742
JACKSON, MS 39225-2742
Phone: 601/354-6370
geology@msbrpg.state.ms.us

Rick L. Ericksen, RPG, CPG
Executive Director


Introduction


The Registered Professional Geologists Practice Act of 1997 is enacted legislation requiring the registration of geologists practicing within Mississippi. The Act contains the requirements for registration, definitions of terms, as well as a description of the governing board. This legislation was passed during the 1997 Legislative session and was effective July 1, 1997. This legislation was revised during the 2006 Legislative session. The resulting legislation, that was effective on July 1, 2006, no longer has a repealer (sunset) provision, changes the renewal period from biennial (every two years) to annually (each year), changes fees (please see "New Fees" for important information), and contains some minor revisons related to ethics.

Application Package


All forms and the required reading of the Rules of the Board, including the codified Registered Professional Geologists Practice Act of 1997, may be downloaded from this site. The entire application package is in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader software, it is available free from Adobe. To download, click on the following, Adobe Acrobat Reader. Once there, follow the instructions to download the software. After downloading the Adobe Acrobat Reader, click on the following to download the application package - APPLICATION . All of the required forms and instructions for filling out the application are contained therein.

You must have a completed Geologist-In-Training (GIT) or Registered Professional Geologist (RPG) Application per above on file with the Board prior being allowed to take either the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology or the Practices of Geology Examinations. You may take only one exam per exam offering. Also note that you will be considered for registration as a RPG only after the successful passage of both ASBOG examinations.

The application and reference forms may be filled out on screen. After completing the required forms you only then need to print them utilizing your printer. It is suggested that you print each page immediately after it is completed in case you have computer or printer problems, as the Application cannot be saved.

Get Acrobat Reader

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Members of the Board of Registered Professional Geologists


Everett J. Ferris, Earth Consulting Group, representing government sector (Term: July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2013).

Darrel W. Schmitz, Ph.D., President, Mississippi State University; representing academia (Term: July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2013).

Mike Wright, Vice President MDOT, representing at large sector (Term: July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2012).

Ken Ruckstuhl,Environmental Management Services, representing geotechnical/environmental industrial sector (Term: July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2012).

Maurice N. Birdwell, Consulting Geologist; representing mining/extraction sector (Term: July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2015);

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Important News plus Dates of Upcoming Meetings and ASBOG Examinations


IMPORTANT - BOARD ON THE MOVE! Effective March 19, 2012 the Board's offices will be relocated to 777 Harris Street, located just off of I-55 and High Street, near downtown Jackson (Please see location map and photo of building below). The Board is very pleased with this new location and building and hopes that it will increase its accessibility in serving its registrants, enrollees, and the public.

Board Meetings - The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board is Tuesday, June 19, 2012 starting at 5:30 PM at the Board's Office, Suite 103 located at 777 Harris Street, Jackson, MS 39202. The public is welcome, invited, and encouraged to attend. If you need traveling directions or have an agenda item that you wish to address before the Board, please contact the Board's Executive Director at 601/354-6370 or e-mail at: geology@msbrpg.state.ms.us.

RENEWALS - The MSBRPG is concluding its renewal period for calendar year 2012. If you have not received your payment receipt letter yet it may because you have not returned your questionnaire/demographic form. Please return your form as soon as possible. If you have not yet paid you may do so by making a secure payment by clicking the following link (note that you should use Internet Explorer as other browsers are NOT supported):

Credit/Debit Card Renewal Payments

MSBRPG revised Rules and Regulations Adopted - The Board has submitted its compilation of revised Rules and Regulations to the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office and they were subsequently adopted after receiving no comments.

Rules and Regulations of the Board

LOUISIANA "GRANDFATHERING" - IMPORTANT NOTICE! The MSBRPG has contacted Dr. M.B. Kumar, Acting Chairman for the yet to be formed Louisiana Board and has formally requested that all Mississippi RPGs be considered for licensure in Louisiana via its current time frame for grandfathering. This was done to ensure that all Mississippi RPGs that may want to become licensed there will not be disallowed from doing so. The current grandfathering period for Louisiana ends at midnight, December 31, 2011. It is expected that a new grandfathering period will be initiated when legislative amendments are proposed during the anticipated March, 2012 convening of the Louisiana Legislature. Our actions will ensure all Mississippi RPGs the ability to obtain a license if the grandfathering time frame is not altered.

MSBRPG PRESS RELEASE - June 14, 2011 - The MSBRPG Elects New Officers for FY 2012

New Officers

MSBRPG PRESS RELEASE - November 2, 2010 - The ASBOG Foundation Elects New Officers. Jackson, MS - The ASBOG Foundation, formed in 2007 to support the Association of State Boards of Geology, has elected Dr. Darrel Schmitz (MSBRPG Board member, current Board President) as the Foundation's new President. Rick Ericksen, the Board's Executive Director was also nominated to serve on the Foundation's Board of Directors and was subsequently elected as the Foundation's Treasurer. For more information about the ASBOG Foundation and how to become a Sponsor, please go to www.asbogfoundation.org for more details.

MSBRPG SIGNS COMITY/RECIPROCITY AGREEMENT WITH TEXAS BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL GEOSCIENTISTS - The MSBRPG has signed an agreement with the Texas Board effective September 1, 2008. Please scroll down to the section titled Comity Agreements for a copy of that agreement as well as those with Arkansas, Alabama, and Georgia

NOTICE: COMPLIANCE REVIEWS OF STATE AGENCIES - The MSBRPG has been reviewing geoscience reports that are being generated in and being submitted to state agencies over the past several months to ensure that they are being properly signed and stamped by RPGs, that those who are submitting such documents are registered to practice, etc. as required pursuant to the Geologist Practice Act of 1997, as amended, and the Rules of the Board (please see those documents as well as RPG Guidance Document 2007-01, below, and other documents on this web site for additional information concerning the public practice of geology in the State of Mississippi)

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS OF THE BOARD - PLEASE CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR A LISTING OF DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY TAKEN BY THE MSBRPG

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MSBRPG

STAMPING/SEALING AND SIGNING REQUIREMENTS

ASBOG EXAMINATION SCHEDULE -

IMPORTANT NEW EXAMINATION ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS: RECEIPT OF PROCTORING FORM AND FEE, AUGUST 7, 2012; ASBOG RECEIPT OF AUTHORIATION FORM AND EXAM PAYMENT, AUGUST 21, 2012 FOR THE OCTOBER 5, 5, 2012 EXAMS:

Assessment/Exit Examinations

For those taking the Fundamentals of Geology as an "Assessment/Exit" Examination, you must submit the following authorization form along with payment of a $25.00 proctoring fee to the MSBRPG no later than August 7, 2012. Once this form and payment have been received by the Board we will send you an ASBOG Candidate Request Form that you must complete and mail with your appropriate examination payment directly to ASBOG. Remember that you must have prior authorization from this Board to sit for the examination, no exceptions. Further, ASBOG must receive the form (Authorization/Examination Order Form ) and examination fee payment no later that August 21, 2012. If ASBOG does not physically receive that form and fee payment by 5:00 pm, August 21, 2012 you will not be allowed to order the exam and you will forfeit your fee paid that accompanied your Proctoring/Verification Form sent to us. YOU CANNOT ORDER THE EXAM WITHOUT THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF THIS BOARD

Fundamentals of Geology and Practice of Geology Examinations

For those taking either the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) or the Practice of Geology (PG) examination you must submit the following proctoring form along with payment of a $25.00 proctoring fee to the MSBRPG no later than August 7, 2012. Once this form and payment have been received we will send you an ASBOG Authorization form that you must complete and mail with the examination payment directly to ASBOG. Remember that you must have prior authorization from this Board to sit for the examination, no exceptions. Further, ASBOG must receive the form (Authorization/Examination Order Form ) and examination fee payment no later that August 21, 2012. If ASBOG does not physically receive that form and fee payment by 5:00 pm, August 21, 2012 you will not be allowed to order the exam and you will forfeit your fee paid that accompanied your Proctoring/Verification Form sent to us. YOU CANNOT ORDER THE EXAM WITHOUT THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF THIS BOARD

ASBOG AUTHORIZATION FORM

EXIT EXAM AUTHORIZATON FORM

GIT AND RPG EXAM AUTHORIZATION FORM

NEW REGISTRATION/ENROLLMENT RENEWAL DATE AND NEW FEE SCHEDULE - As a result of the changes put into place during the 2006 Legislative session, there has been a change in renewal/enrollment payment due dates. Instead of these payments being on a quarterly basis they will be due annually on or before January 1 of each year. There has also been important changes concerning fees. Please review the following two links concerning the new fee schedule now in place and your pro-rated renewal or enrollment fee payment due (see "Your Renewal Fee Calculation and Amount Due below).

Fee Schedule

Temporary Work Permit

Announcement - The ASBOG Foundation. In the effort to secure additional funds, for example funds to help defray travel/lodging costs for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who semi-annually attend workshops at various locations in the U.S., the ASBOG Foundation was formed. The Foundation is a 501 c(6), not for profit organization. Those interested in becoming a Sponsor should visit the Foundation's web site at: www.asbogfoundation.org

FACTOIDS, LEGISLATION, AND TRIVIA - CHECK IT OUT!!! Requires Adobe Reader available at the top of this page. FACTOIDS

UST REGULATION REVISIONS ADOPTED BY THE MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY - The MCEQ at its March 25, 2004 adopted in unamity the revisions related to Underground Storage Tank work and after the withdrawal of an Evidentiary Hearing request by the Board for Registration of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors the regulations are now in full force and effect. As adopted an "Environmental Response Action Contractor" may be a geologist or engineer. The scope of each professions work activities is subject to the laws governing each. The MSBRPG initiated discussions with the MDEQ some 3 1/2 years ago concerning these regulations to bring them into compliance with the MS RPG law which has been in place since July 1, 1997.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Registered Professional Geologists and the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors - The following document is the Memorandum of Understanding which became effective on October 5, 1999. Please click on the following to view this agreement Memorandum of Understanding

VOLUNTARY CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - The Board has formally adopted guidelines related to its' Voluntary Continuing Education and Professional Development Program. Those that wish to participate in the program must first contact the Board requesting their inclusion. Once enrolled you, the registrant, are required to keep records of the continuing education courses, seminars, college course work, presentations, published articles, etc. which you have attended or authored/co-authored. The registrant's participation in this program will be indicated on the official roster of the Board maintained at the Board's office and also on this web site.

The Board will audit those involved in the program periodically to assure that those registrants who have elected to be involved in the program are: 1) in ethical compliance pursuant to Board Rules and the RPG Act of 1997; and 2) also in compliance with the terms and conditions as set forth in the continuing education and professional development program.

Click the following link to view the Official Guidelines adopted by the Board for its Voluntary Continuing Education and Professional Development Program (requires Adobe Acrobat, downloadable for the link at the top of this page. PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Click the following link for the participation letter required to enroll in this program (requires Adobe Acrobat, downloadable from the link at the top of this page) - the form letter is designed to be filled out on screen and then printed and mailed to the Board at the PO Box address at the top of this page. PARTICIPATION LETTER

Do you have a matter (an issue, concern, or opinion) that you would like to discuss or share with a Board member or the Board? Please send an e-mail with your comments as feedback to the Board member or the Board. All such correspondence will be treated confidentially, just click on the following to communicate your issue, concern, or opinion - it will be directed to the Board member to which you wish to contact. geology@msbrpg.state.ms.us

COMITY AGREEMENTS - Due to the increased number of questions concerning these agreements, please click on the following links to determine whether or not you qualify. Note that we now have an agreement with Texas, effective September 1, 2008 (Adobe Acrobat Reader required). If you use one of the existing agreements please note that we still require the following: Completed Parts A, B, and C of the MSBRPG Application Package (found at the top of this page); One (1) completed reference from the time you were registered/licensed in the state whose agreement you are applying for comity/reciprocity with covering the time frame of your registration/licensure there up until current; and certified copies of your file on file with that board.Mississippi/Alabama Comity Agreement - Mississippi/Georgia Comity Agreement - Mississippi/Arkansas Comity Agreement - Mississippi/Texas Comity Agreement

Board Guidance Documents -The following documents are provided by the MSBRPG for guidance purposes. Should you have any questions concerning these documents or wish the Board to address other questions related to geologic practice in Mississippi please contact the Board.

RPG Guidance Document No. 2000-01, Is a RPG required to acquire well samples on site for analysis or can the work of sample collection be done by a qualified technician?

RPG Guidance Document No. 2000-02, Guide for sealing/stamping of geologic documents by state government employees

RPG Guidance Document No. 2002-01, Must an RPG sign and stamp/seal geologic reports, maps, lithologic logs, X-sections, or other geologic information, documents, or literature research documents upon which geologic inferences and/or conclusions are made relative to geologic or geohydrologic conditions/settings/environments of an area, or any other investigations of geologic or geohydrologic nature which are submitted or required to be submitted to public agencies and/or their contractors/subcontractors of the state of Mississippi?

RPG Guidance Document No. 2007-01, Detailed Guidance Document for sealing/stamping and signing geologic documents, maps, etc. by all Registered Professional Geologists

Attorney General Opinion -The following opinion was issued on August 11, 2000 in response to a request by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. This opinion was issued in response to questions concerning stamping-embossing and signing of geologic reports etc. Board Opinion No. 2000-02 also addresses this issue and the Board's Opinion and Attorney General's Opinion are in agreement. This document may also be accessed from the Attorney General's web site, http://www.ago.state.ms.us. Should you have any questions concerning these documents please contact the Board. Click on the following to review this document August 11, 2000 Attorney General's Opinion

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Further Information


For additional information regarding registration in Mississippi, please contact the Board.

geology@msbrpg.state.ms.us - or by phone at 601/354-6370 or write to: Rick Ericksen, Executive Director, Mississippi State Board of Registered Professional Geologists, P.O. Box 22742, Jackson, MS 39225-2742. Please note: The Board has entered into reciprocity/comity agreements with Alabama, Georgia and recently with Arkansas whereby registrants of those boards may apply to the MSBRPG by completing sections A - C of the Application Package available above. Before applying for registration by reciprocity/comity please contact your respective board or read the appropriate agreement posted herein to determine whether you qualify. If you determine that you qualify please have your respective board (Alabama, Georgia, Texas, or Arkansas) send directly to this Board the following information:

  • Your registration date and number;
  • Scores on qualifing examination(s), if taken;
  • Your current status with said board.
  • Certified copies of the contents of your file held by that board
  • One reference covering the time frame from the date of your registration/licensure with the comity/reciprocity board under which you are using and up to the date of your application with this board

BOARD'S NEW OFFICE LOCATION -

LOCATION MAP

BUILDING PHOTO

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IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS, FORMS, AND ARCHIVED NEWSLETTERS

2011 Annual Report

Registered Professional Geologists Practice Act of 1997

Executive Summary of the Act

Rules of the Board (requires Adobe Acrobat)

Listing of Registered Professional Geologists - As of 03/12/12

Listing of Geologists-In-Training - As of 03/01/12

Complaint Form (Adobe Acrobat Format)

Order form for stamp and/or embosser (Adobe Acrobat Format) - Registrants must order these items from the Board in accordance with the Registered Professional Geologists Practice Act of 1997.

Verification form (Adobe Acrobat Format) To be used when appling with the MSBRPG for licensure/registration for the state(s) in which you currently hold a license or registration. Send to the state(s) where you are licensed and have them send this form directly from that board to the Mississippi Board.

ARCHIVED RPG NEWSLETTERS ETC. Note: All documents in this section require Adobe Acrobat Reader available by clicking on the Adobe icon at the top of this page.

Spring, 2008 Newsletter

Spring, 2007 RPG News

Spring, 2006 RPG Newsletter

Spring, 2005 RPG Newsletter

Special Edition of the the RPG News - 2004

Spring, 2004 Newsletter

Spring, 2003 RPG Newsletter

Summer, 2002 RPG Newsletter

Winter, 2001 RPG Newsletter

Spring, 2001 RPG Newsletter

April, 2000 RPG Newsletter

July, 1999 RPG Newsletter

April, 1999 RPG Newsletter

RELATED LINKS

Association of State Boards of Geology web site

Useful Geoscience Web Resources

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Mississippi State Board of Registered Professional Geologists Disclaimer

Mississippi Transparency

The Mississippi State Board of Registered Professional Geologists, last changed: 5:38 pm, 2012