Virginia Law

A. To be eligible to obtain the GIT designation, each applicant shall:

1. Make application on forms provided by the board;

2. Be of ethical character;

3. Have achieved a passing score on a board-approved Fundamentals of Geology examination;

4. Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a major in geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or a related geological science; or

5. Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university with a major other than geology, engineering geology, geological engineering, or a related geological science and have satisfactorily completed at least 30 semester hours (or the equivalent) of geological science courses including, but not limited to, the following subjects: stratigraphy, structural geology, mineralogy, paleontology, petrology, geomorphology, and field geology. At least 12 of the 30 semester hours of geological science courses must have been completed in four of the seven subjects listed in this subsection.

B. Prior to obtaining the designation of GIT, an applicant who qualified to sit for a board-approved Fundamentals of Geology examination under subdivision 3 or 4 of 18VAC145-40-83 and passed the examination must provide an official college transcript that demonstrates satisfactory completion of the degree program.

C. The designation of GIT will remain valid until the individual meets all requirements for certification as a Virginia certified professional geologist.

D. The designation of GIT does not give an individual the authority to practice as a certified professional geologist. An individual may not practice as a certified professional geologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia until his competence has been attested by the board through certification.