Divisions & Affiliated Societies
Complimenting the Role of AAPG
The American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) was founded in 1963 by a group of AAPG members for the purpose of providing personal credentials for geologists through a certification process. From AIPG’s modest early development accentuating competency, integrity and ethics, the Certified Professional Geologist (CPG) was begotten. Forty-six years later AIPG is the largest association dedicated to promoting geology as a profession. The more than 5,500 members, the vast majority in the U.S., are organized into 33 regional sections. Holding fast to the principles of professional responsibility and public service, AIPG is the only international organization that certifies geological scientists in all branches of the science. Its members are employed in a wide-ranging number of industries (including petroleum); as well as government and academia. As an advocate for the profession, the Institute promotes high standards of ethical conduct among its members and within the profession of geology as a whole.
Petroleum geologists have the contagious independent spirit and “can do” attitude that goes hand in hand with the desire to have the government get out of the way. That takes government interaction. Realizing AAPG has government relations programs, I would guess most of the interaction between AAPG and the government has to do with finding and bringing the oil to market as opposed to strictly professional issues. Rather than supporting a specific product or commodity, AIPG’s charge is to prepare timely position statements on a wide variety of important geo-issues and to communicate regularly to federal and state legislators and agencies on such matters. Because AIPG is funded mostly by member dues and not industry or academia, we can be perceived as neutral (not always) on matters related to energy or the environment, for example.We believe our message can be constructed so that it is not interpreted as coming from a potentially biased group.
Petroleum geologists already certified by AAPG may not be interested in AIPG certification, but we have other categories of membership that would allow you to join. One fun example, AIPG will be headed to the Western Slope of the Rockies for our annual national meeting this fall in Grand Junction. AIPG members will tour some of the most fantastic scenery in Colorado and Utah and learn the basic geology. The technical theme of the meeting is; Rocky Mountains and the Colorado Plateau - Canyons, Resources, & Hazards. Other annual meetings take place in a variety of great places, from Florida to South Dakota to New York to Arizona and many other non-petroleum destinations. If you are looking for a change of pace in this regard, AIPG may be just the ticket.
One of the most meaningful benefits of AIPG Membership for an AAPG member is the chance to make personal contact at the local and state level; to get together with fellow geologists not necessarily in the petroleum profession and to learn outside the normal petroleum scope. For those AAPG members thinking of a career change, AIPG certification can be the pry-bar you need to get your foot in the door of other geology related fields. For many former petroleum geologists, membership in AIPG has opened many doors, has taught them many things and most important has allowed them to make lifelong friends with geologists from all occupations. Please join us as we grow and prosper in our second fifty years, coming soon.