As a practicing Certified Professional Geologist in Virginia, I strongly support continuing the certification process in Virginia. I also recommend making licensure mandatory for providing professional geological services. Geologists provide an essential service in both private and public sectors. The work we do protects public safety, supports infrastructure, and ensures the sustainably of our natural resources. These are essential services that require a complex skill set and knowledge base to execute properly.

Maintaining the rigorous standards associated with certification in Virginia ensures that only those with the necessary qualifications can perform these essential services. Allowing certifications to lapse would reduce the standard of care being paid to the important aspects of public safety, infrastructure, and sustainability that professional geologists are responsible for.