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License Renewal Information

Renewal Notices - Renewal notices are sent to your address of record approximately 60 days before the expiration date. The expiration date is printed on the renewal notice and falls on the last day of your birth month. The expiration date is also available on License Lookup, where you can check to see that your correct address is on file with the Board. If you do not receive your renewal notice, you may send your renewal payment directly to the Board office; include a cover letter indicating your license number and correct address of record.

Address Change - You are required by Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Section 3009, to notify the Board of a change of address within 60 days of the change. An address change form is available by clicking here. You must notify the Board in writing directly. Submitting an address change or forwarding request to the U.S. Postal Service is not sufficient.

Renewal Fees -

• Renewal fee for a geologist or for a geophysicist: $270
• Renewal fee for a specialty geologist or for a specialty geophysicist: $67.50
• Delinquency fee for renewal or certificate of registration as a geologist or geophysicist or certification as a specialty geologist or specialty geophysicist: 50% of renewal fee in effect on the last regular renewal date. This is in addition to the payment-in-full of renewal fees owed
• Duplicate certificate fee: $6

Renewal Period - Geologist, geophysicist, specialty geologist or specialy geophysicist licenses are valid for two (2) years from the assigned renewal date (not the issue date).

Renew On Time to Avoid Penalty - Renewing on time will save you a delinquent penalty fee equal to half of the current renewal fee. If your renewal application is postmarked after the grace period, the penalty fee must be submitted with the renewal fee. (Geologists and geophysicists have a 30-day grace period.) The grace period only applies to the fee you have to pay to renew your license. If you do not pay your renewal fee by the expiration date, your license will be considered expired. It is illegal to practice, offer to practice, or use any restricted titles with an expired license, including during the grace period.

Delinquent License - A license is delinquent between the first day after the grace period up to five years after the grace period. (Geologists and geophysicists have a 30-day grace period.) A delinquent license can be brought up-to-date by paying the delinquent fee amount indicated on your renewal notice.

Payments - At this time, the Board cannot accept electronic fund transfers or credit cards for renewal payments. Payment must be made by check or money order sent to the address contained on your renewal notice. Due to administrative processing issues, the Board is not able to accept renewal payments prior to 60 days before the expiration date. If you submit your renewal payment more than 60 days before your license is scheduled to expire, the payment will be returned to you.

New Renewal Dates on License Lookup - The information in the online data base will be updated 24 hours after the payment you send is cashiered and entered into the system.

Military Service Personnel - Click here for more information about special provisions for military service personnel whose licenses expired while they were serving in the U.S. armed services.