Technical Professional Geologists specialize in such fields as engineering geology, environmental geology and hydrogeology, as well as locating and developing oil, gas and mineral deposits. Geologists conduct surface and underground investigations of the earth materials, history and structure of sites and provide interpretations of what they see.

Certified Engineering Geologists apply geologic principles to the safe development and grading of land, building of structures, search for ground-water resources, cleanup of underground contamination and repairing of geologic hazards. They investigate geologic constraints such as landslides, ground subsidence, earthquake faults and erosion and have special training in geology for working on civil engineering problems. Certified Hydrogeologists evaluate the underground conditions of properties in a variety of ways to aid in finding out the engineering and environmental aspects of a project or site. They make evaluations for insurance companies following earthquakes and floods. They are also familiar with regulations pertaining to land use and repair that require permits from various governmental agencies.

Certified Hydrogeologists apply geologic principles to the search for and cleanup of subsurface contamination and the discovery and development of ground-water resources. They complete Phase I, II and III environmental investigations. Certified Hydrogeologists evaluate the underground conditions at sites in a variety of ways to find out the environmental aspects of a project.