Geologist Registration is a Scam

The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists says that as a petroleum geologist, you are exempt from registration/licensing and the liabilities of paying to be a professional geoscientist and joining their control of your profession. AAPG, the Houston Geological Society and other 'professional organizations' have supported this registration effort by academic bureaucrats. We have been lobbied by academic lobbyists, such as Peter Rose (and you elected him president of AAPG for 2005). I'm not buying it.

You are naive to think that it will stop here or that there is any benefit to you, or that somehow, by registering you are magically a professional. Take a look at the history of registration by self-directed, ego-centric, self-serving boards of registration of geology. Take a look at the idiotic disciplinary actions by the geology board in California.

ASBOG - the USA national organization of geologic professionals. Here's their guidance:

Why register geologists?
The application of geologic data are integral parts of many actions involving public health, safety, and welfare.  Professional geologists working with others can determine and apply sound geologic procedures that will serve to avoid endangerment of the public or the environment.

How will the public be protected?
First, no one may be represented as a geologist unless duly registered.   Second, registration boards are typically endowed with the authority to monitor and enforce the registration law.

Who can become registered as a geologist?
While it will vary from state to state, typically individuals who have a college degree in geology or a closely related field and five years of geological work experience can qualify for registration.  In most states, an examination is also required to demonstrate minimum competence in both the fundamentals and the practice of geology.

More specifics, please.
Registration would help assure that qualified reputable individuals provide accurate geologic information to the public in such areas as:

For instance in Canada:

Definition of the Practice of Professional Geoscience

The following definition of the Practice of Professional Geoscience reflects a consensus of views on the minimum content of what should be included in any definition of Professional Geoscience. Because the Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists (CCPG) has no legislative authority to define Professional Geoscience on behalf of its provincial and territorial members associations, the definition is presented for information and guidance only.

The definition was developed by a task group of the CCPG and has been approved for circulation by the Canadian Geoscience Standards Board and the Board of Directors of CCPG.
The "practice of professional geoscience" means the performing of any activity that requires application of the principles of the geological sciences, and that concerns the safeguarding of public welfare, life, health, property, or economic interests, including, but not limited to:
  1. investigations, interpretations, evaluations, consultations or management aimed at discovery or development of metallic or non-metallic minerals, rocks, nuclear or fossil fuels, precious stones and water resources;
  2. investigations, interpretations, evaluations, consultations or management relating to geoscientific properties, conditions or processes that may affect the well-being of the general public, including those pertaining to preservation of the natural environment.