Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you. We’re here to answer your questions and listen to your suggestions.
Hours
Mon – Fri
9:00 am — 4:00 pm
Sat
Closed
Sun
Closed
Contact
Have Questions?
We have answers.
In a perfect world, begin studying at least 6 months in advance. If you have significant free time, it may be achievable in a couple of months — but for people working full-time jobs (especially those with field seasons or heavy travel), 6 months is strongly recommended. Summer is a particular concern: it is peak field season for many parts of the country, which significantly limits study time. Register for the earliest available review course and begin studying immediately. See also REG REVIEW’s free study planning tool: https://bit.ly/3KpSbEf
As soon as you are eligible — ideally during your final semester of college or within 6 months of graduation. The FG covers material that closely mirrors undergraduate coursework, and it is genuinely easier when that material is still fresh. Geologists who wait until they have been working in the field for several years often find the FG more difficult because academic fundamentals fade and professional work rarely covers the full breadth of the exam. Don’t put it off.
The FG exam is considered challenging but passable for a well-prepared graduate geologist. The PG is harder for many candidates because it tests professional judgment and applied problem-solving, not just factual recall. National pass rates vary by year but are generally in the range of 60–65% for the FG and 70–75% for the PG. REG REVIEW students consistently pass at rates 20–25% higher than the national average on both exams, with some course cohorts reaching as high as 99%.
Both are computer-based, multiple-choice only. FG: 140 questions, 4 hours. PG: 110 questions, 4 hours. Both exams require some problem solving, map and cross-section interpretation, and, though it varies exam by exam, many require some conversion factors and equations to be memorized.
Yes, the FG is required before the PG. Most states allow you to take both in the same exam season (either on consecutive days or in the same day) if you meet experience requirements. Check with your state board.
Yes. REG REVIEW continuously updates its study materials. Additionally, the field moves slowly and most foundational geologic knowledge is not changing year to year. If you have an older version of the REG REVIEW guides it will still be valuable for studying.
Yes. Geology is a mobile profession. You may need licensure in states where your work is performed, not just where you live. REG REVIEW materials apply to the national ASBOG® exam, which is the same in all states.
No. REG REVIEW has an explicit policy against using or reproducing actual exam questions. All practice problems are original work, written by Professional Geologists to simulate exam style and content. This is a deliberate ethical and legal choice.
PG licensure is issued by a state government and is legally required to practice geology in most jurisdictions where the work affects public health and safety. Certifications (CHG — Certified Hydrogeologist, CEG — Certified Engineering Geologist) are offered in some states — primarily California, Oregon, and Washington — as specialty credentials that augment your Professional Geologist license. They are separate from the PG and have their own exams. Both may be required or highly valued depending on your employer and the type of work you do.
Both the AIPG and AAPG have Certified Professional Geologist (CPG) designations that require at least 8 years of experience and letters from other CPGs. They are peer-reviewed credentials — there is no exam and a PG is not required. They are separate from and in addition to state-issued PG licensure. The AIPG CPG is generally valued in the mining, hydrogeology, and environmental consulting fields; the AAPG CPG is specific to petroleum geology. Neither is administered by ASBOG®.
The ASBOG® PG exam is a national exam covering broad professional geology practice. The California Specific Exam (CSE) is an additional state exam covering California geology, state regulations, and agencies. California is one of only two states (along with Maine) that requires a state-specific exam beyond ASBOG® for full PG licensure.
Yes, there is no limit on retakes. ASBOG® encourages candidates who fail to review the domain-level feedback from their state board and adjust their study focus before retaking. Most state boards allow you to re-take the exam without paying again for one year from approval.
No. You only need to retake the exam you did not pass.
Yes. All REG REVIEW instructors are Professional Geologists who have recently taken the ASBOG® exams, and, for the California course, the California Specific Exam (CSE). Instructors review course materials and student surveys between every exam administration and make updates. Study manuals are updated every few years as well to make sure content is aligned with the latest, and ever evolving, ASBOG® exams.
Contact admin@regreview.com for refund and order policies.
REG REVIEW does not issue formal CEU certificates, but will provide upon request a Proof of Attendance certificate describing the date and hours of attendance. These certificates are accepted by most states as adequate documentation for continuing education requirements. Some states accept hour-for-hour value; others require formal CEU certificates. Check with your state board to confirm what is accepted.
Yes. REG REVIEW offers discounts to university professors who coordinate a group of students to take a course, or to groups of students who register together. Contact admin@regreview.com with the specifics of your situation — larger groups are eligible for larger discounts. REG REVIEW is committed to remaining the least expensive live ASBOG® prep course available and to keeping its materials accessible to both working professionals and students.
Yes. Students who took a REG REVIEW course previously (for example, for the FG exam) and are returning to prepare for the PG exam can register at a reduced rate here: https://regreview.com/product/courses-5/. Students who have already purchased the study manual separately may register for the course at https://regreview.com/product/courses-3/.
Accommodation requests must be submitted to and approved by your State Board — not Prometric and not ASBOG®. Prometric administers the physical accommodations (extra time, private room, etc.) but only after your state board has approved and communicated them. The process requires a written statement from a doctor outlining your needs, and must be initiated no later than 90 days before your scheduled exam. Contact your state board early to begin this process. ASBOG® does not alter the content of the exams; only the physical administration conditions are adjusted.
No. The ASBOG® PG license is issued by individual U.S. states and is valid only within those jurisdictions. It is not recognized in Canada (which has provincial programs such as APEGA), the UK (which has the Chartered Geologist designation), Australia, or other countries. If you work internationally, you will need to research the professional credentialing requirements for each country or province separately.
This is highly state-dependent. Most states require a bachelor’s degree in geology or a closely related field. Some states permit other degrees if specific geology coursework requirements are met. A few states allow extensive work experience to substitute for some educational requirements. Check with the state board where you intend to seek licensure for their specific requirements.
Geology is a mobile profession. Licensure requirements depend on where your work is performed, not where you live — a geologist working for an unlicensed state may still need licenses in neighboring states where project sites are located. Beyond legal requirements, having a PG license can open doors to senior roles, consulting positions, and project oversight responsibilities that require a licensed professional to stamp reports. Many employers specifically seek licensed geologists for advancement. Getting licensed before you need it sets you apart from other candidates and is significantly easier while the material is fresh.
REG REVIEW offers three free tools for anyone preparing for the ASBOG exams:
– Overview video covering the FG and PG exams, the licensure process, and study advice: https://youtu.be/FBk9HJG1xjU?si=8fyhru3VXUSv0ern
– Study planning spreadsheet that calculates how to allocate your study hours across all exam domains based on your available time and the ASBOG test blueprint: https://bit.ly/3KpSbEf
– Study buddy pairing help to connect students looking for a study partner. REG REVIEW offers a free Study Buddy sign-up to connect candidates with study partners. We strongly recommend studying with a partner: ideally one whose experience complements your own. PG candidates often benefit from studying with someone fresh out of school whose academic knowledge is more current; FG candidates often benefit from the applied problem-solving experience of someone preparing for the PG. Study buddies also help hold you accountable to a study plan. Sign up here: https://regreview.com/studybuddy/.
Note for REG REVIEW course students: If you are enrolled in a REG REVIEW course, reach out separately to courses@regreview.com for a study buddy — we pair course students with other course students.