(a) Pursuant to Section 7841.2 of the Code, each applicant for certification as a geologist-in-training shall successfully pass the Fundamentals of Geology examination created and conducted by the National Association of State Boards of Geology, also known as ASBOG, by meeting the requirements set by ASBOG for taking, and receiving a passing score for, that examination. After [effective date of regulations, to be inserted by OAL], applicants shall directly contact ASBOG, or its designated vendor, if applicable, to obtain a date, time, and place (testing facility) to take the Fundamentals of Geology examination. Applicants shall pay all ASBOG's required examination fees for examination materials and services directly to ASBOG, or its designated vendor, if applicable, and shall comply with all ASBOG examination and test center policies, procedures, and rules.

(b) Each applicant for licensure as a geologist who obtains a passing score on the Fundamentals of Geology and Practice of Geology examinations created by the National Association of State Boards of Geology on or after November 1, 1996, and obtains a passing score as determined by a recognized criterion-referenced method of establishing the pass point in the supplemental California specific examination pursuant to Section 7841 of the Code shall be deemed to have passed the required examinations for licensure as a professional geologist in California.

(c) Every applicant for licensure as a geophysicist or for certification in any specialty who obtains a passing score determined by a recognized criterion-reference method of establishing the pass point in the examination required by Section 7841.1 of the Code or Section 7842 of the Code, respectively, shall be deemed to have passed the examination required by Section 7841.1 of the Code or Section 7842 of the Code, respectively. Such a passing score may vary moderately with changes in test composition.