UCPG Home Page

WHO IS THE UCPG?

The UCPG is a trade organization that was formed for three general purposes:

Accomplished passage of a law that licenses geologists and regulates the practice of geology before the public in Utah,
In the longer term, continue to track legislative issues as they affect professional geologists and their work, and
Conduct public outreach to educate the public about how geology affects them.

The UCPG has established individual, corporate, and organization memberships, and will act as an advocate for their members by using membership lists to facilitate the transfer and solicitation of information about applicable legislative issues.

Most states with a registration or licensure program have sister organizations, or councils, that function similarly to the UCPG. For example, in California groups of professional geologists can belong to the California Council of Geoscience Organizations (CCGO) via geological organizations or businesses. These organizations provide legislative tracking; regulatory review; governmental relations; advocate to improve professional practice; and provide public outreach. UCPG hopes to provide a similar function and service.

UCPG ESTABLISHED

In 1998, the Utah Geological Association (UGA) formed the Ad Hoc Committee for Licensure of Geologists in Utah. Other local and national geological organizations, including the Utah Section of the Association of Engineering Geologists (AEG), the Utah Section of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG), the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), and the Salt Lake Chapter of the Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG) joined with UGA to work through the process of establishing a licensure program for geologists. In 2001, the Committee made the decision to disband the UGA's Ad Hoc Committee and re-form as the Utah Council of Professional Geologists (UCPG) to focus our resources and create a more representative coalition by expanding the membership. This formal Council will better present a unified and coordinated voice to the Utah State Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) and the profession.

The UCPG was established on October 2, 2001 by filing Articles of Incorporation with the state of Utah as a nonprofit trade association within the meaning of Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. This means that the UCPG is able to lobby and advocate for the profession of geology.

MISSION OF THE UCPG

The purposes for which the Association is organized are:

To promote the education and professional expertise of geologists practicing in Utah or providing services to Utahns;
To promote, encourage, and support effective and safe geological counseling and analysis to Utah citizens and companies;
To oppose any local or state action that interferes with the ability of Utahns to obtain competent geological advice;
To elevate the awareness of and appreciation of the professional geologists before public policy agencies with particular focus on the executive and legislative branches of local and state government;
To influence the adoption of legislation, ordinances or other public policy statements to enact licensing and peer review statutes that enhance the competency and public perception of the geological profession in Utah;
To receive membership fees, as well as grants of money, in order to administer the Association solely for the proper accomplishment of these purposes; and
To engage in any other lawful activity for which only nonprofit organizations may be organized.