Preparing for the National Geology Examinations requires structured planning and access to official references. This page compiles critical operational processes, field manuals, and content blueprints designed to guide candidates through registration and study.
Notice to Candidates
Eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and exam fees are set by individual State Member Boards. Always contact your local board first.
Official Registration & Handbooks
Scheduling Process
Standard procedures and scheduling steps for preregistered examinees selecting their exam slots.
Application Submission
Detailed guide for submitting applications specifically for candidate boards in GA, IL, MN, and UT.
Candidate Handbook
The official 2024 ASBOG candidate guide detailing blueprints, exam regulations, and practice questions.
ASBOG FG Prep Course
The official prep course developed by ASBOG to review key foundational principles for the FG exam.
Study References & Technical Manuals
Use the list below to access external textbooks, open-source resources, and geological utilities commonly referenced in exam preparation:
Basic Groundwater Hydrology (USGS)
USGS Water Resource Investigations (WRI 2220) - a cornerstone text for hydrogeology calculations, formulas, and hydraulic dynamics.
Engineering Geology Field Manual
Bureau of Reclamation (Volumes I & II) containing standardized guidelines for geological investigations, site characterization, and logging.
Rock Mechanics (Hoek's Corner)
Practical rock engineering resources, articles, and textbooks written by Dr. Evert Hoek and hosted by Rocscience.
Visible Geology 3D Tool
An interactive web-based 3D modeling environment to visualize geologic structures, block diagrams, folds, faults, and cross-sections.
Physical Geology (Open Textbook)
Comprehensive open-source textbook via the Open Textbook Library. Great for core mineralogy, structural geology, and stratigraphic reviews.
MIT OpenCourseWare (Geology)
Access free lecture notes, exam problems, and reading materials from undergraduate and graduate earth science courses at MIT.
Rock & Mineral Jeopardy
An interactive classroom-style jeopardy game designed to test core mineral identification and lithological characteristics.
AGI Data Sheets (5th Edition)
American Geosciences Institute handbook of laboratory data, standards, mapping codes, and reference sheets. ($ for purchase).
AGI GOLI Webinars
Geoscience Online Learning Initiative (GOLI) provides specialized professional webinar courses on specific applied geology topics.
Knowledge Base for Content Domains
ASBOG examinations cover eight specific content domains weighted according to professional practice demands. These documents contain the detailed task blueprints, study metrics, and reference listings for each exam domain:
