ABOUT THE BOARD:
- 1891: Licensing for land surveyors (first in nation) was enacted on March 31, 1891 by the Legislature, which also established the State Surveyor General.
- 1920s: The Board was created by the Legislature. Registration was for civil engineers only.
- 1930s: Structural Engineer license was added by the Legislature. State Surveyor General’s office was abolished and Land Surveyor licensing authority was transferred to the Board by the Legislature.
- 1940s: The Legislature added restrictions on use of engineering titles (this began the creation of the “title acts”) for the branches of professional engineering in the fields of chemical, electrical, mechanical, and petroleum engineering.
- 1960s: The Legislature added restrictions on use of engineering titles for the branch of metallurgical engineering. The Legislature added restrictions on the practices of electrical and mechanical engineering (change in status from “title act” to “practice act”) and on use of engineering titles for the branch of industrial engineering. The Legislature delegated authority to the Board to create new title acts. The Legislature created the Board of Registration for Geologists under the Geologist Act to regulate the practice of geology.
- 1970s: The first Professional Geologist license and the first Certified Engineering Geologist title authority license were issued. o Professional Geophysicist licensure and regulation of the practice of geophysics were added by the Legislature. he Board held hearings and created nine additional title act branches of engineering: agricultural, control systems, corrosion, fire protection, manufacturing, nuclear, quality, safety, and traffic.
- 1980s: The Geotechnical Engineer license was added by the Legislature. The Board’s authority to create new title act branches of engineering was eliminated by the Legislature at the Board’s request. The requirement for testing of all civil engineering applicants on engineering surveying principles and seismic principles was added by the Legislature.
- 1990s: The Legislature created the sunset review process for all licensing boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs. The Board adopted regulations to create the title authority license of Certified Hydrogeologist for Professional Geologists.
- 2000s: Laws requiring licensees to execute written contracts for professional services were enacted. Legislation was enacted that eliminated the Board for Geologists and Geophysicists and transferred all of the duties, powers, purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdiction to regulate the practices of geology and geophysics to the Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
- 2010s: Effective January 1, 2011, the name of the Board was changed to the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. The Board began administering its state-specific licensing examinations via computer-based testing (CBT). The Board implemented online licensure renewals via credit card payment. The Legislature authorized the Board to collect fingerprints from applicants for the purpose of a criminal history record check to further its mission of public protection. The Board conducted a review of its operational processes and procedures and, based on that review, reorganized into four functional units: Administrative Services, Enforcement, Examination Development, and Licensing. The Board transitioned all eight of its state-specific licensing examinations to computer-based testing (CBT) format, allowing for more testing opportunities.
- 2020s: Working with a vendor and the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Information Services, the Board developed and launched its BPELSG Connect system, a licensing and enforcement monitoring system that allows submission of applications, renewals, and complaints through an online portal.
Mission: We protect the public’s safety and property by promoting standards for competence and integrity through licensing and regulating the Board’s professions.
Vision: A safe and resilient California with confidence in the integrity and work of the Board’s licensed professionals.
Values:
- Accountability
- Competence
- Consumer Protection
- Equity
- Fairness
- Integrity
- Professionalism
Visit the BPELSG Website at www.bpelsg.ca.gov or connect on Facebook.
CONSUMER RESOURCES:
- Forms
- Subscribe to the Board’s Email List
- Consumer Guide to Geological and Geophysical Services Publications for Consumers
- Consumer Guide to Professional Engineering and Professional Land Surveying
- Information for Military Personnel and Their Spouses/Domestic Partners
