Continuing Education
As of June 1, 2017, the NC Board for Licensing of Geologists has a continuing education (CE) requirement. Licensees must obtain 12 hours of geologic education each license year in order to renew their license*. Licensees may earn up to 12 additional PDH to be carried over into the next license year. All CE must be technical in nature and focused on geology, in adherence with the Guidelines for Continuing Education established by this Board.
You can search for pre-approved CE providers and individually approved courses in the Approved CE Database. Any CE that is not approved can be submitted for review by the CE Committee up to 90 days before or 180 days after an event occurs, using the Application for CE Approval. Licensees may also assess for themselves whether an activity meets the criteria established in the CE Guidelines, though all CE is subject to Board approval in the event of CE audit.
*New licensees by way of examination are exempt from the CE requirement for their first license renewal. New licensees by comity are required to report 12 PDHs with their first renewal.
* * New: Claim CE for Hurricane Helene Disaster Assistance! * *
As you know, Western North Carolina and neighboring regions were recently devastated by torrential rain, flooding, and destructive winds caused by Hurricane Helene. This Board understands the critical roles that many licensed geologists and other technical professionals are serving to aid the recovery efforts and safeguard the public welfare. Many of you have already begun providing your time and technical expertise to the cause - mapping landslide events, performing environmental assessments, assessing structural damage, and more – and your work will remain essential in the weeks and months ahead.
The Board would like to acknowledge and encourage your efforts related to the ongoing disaster response and recovery. Licensees will be allowed to claim up to 24 CE hours for geological services directed toward helping these recovery efforts in declared disaster areas. While paid services provided as part of your regular job duties may be claimed, we ask that you exercise your best judgment to claim hours proportionate to the time and effort devoted to this response and recovery. We recommend that you keep a log of the hours you plan to claim, along with notes, photos, or any other documentation you believe may be appropriate. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Board staff with any questions.
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