What is and why geoscientist licensure?
Licensure is a means to protect the public, and the licensed profession, from unqualified and unethical practitioners of the profession. Licensing establishes a degree of legal accountability for the work product of the regulated practitioners. The State legislation establishing a licensure program defines basic experience and educational requirements that all licensees must meet. The legislation also sets civil penalties that can be enforced on licensees determined to have violated the practice and ethical standards required by the legislation. • How was Geoscientist Licensure established in Texas? The Texas Geoscience Practice Act (the Act) was enacted by the 77th Texas Legislature upon passage of SB-405 in May of 2001. SB-405 was developed by a coalition of Texas geoscientists working in the petroleum, environmental, groundwater resources, engineering, and mining practice areas. Representatives of State Agencies also participated. • How will the Act be administered and enforced? The
