Elevating professional standards and advancing geoscience careers.
The Division of Professional Affairs (DPA) is AAPG’s flagship division, which seeks to advance the careers of AAPG members through subject matter expertise certifications, professional development and networking events, and promoting professionalism, career planning, and ethical standards.
What we do
DPA awards professional certifications as part of membership to help showcase your skillset and expertise as a geoscientist to current and future employers.
The DPA supports AAPG webinars, workshops, and networking events designed to advance the careers of AAPG members. Topics include the business of oil and gas and how to operate as an independent.
The DPA also curates AAPG’s Discovery Thinking Forum, which is held annually at the International Meeting of Applied Geoscience and Energy (IMAGE).
The Discovery Thinking Forum mixes data and case studies with solid storytelling. Each year, DPA ideates and organizes the programming for the Discovery Thinking Forum, highlighting the technical skills and personal stories of the speakers involved.
Your membership includes certification
What is Certification and why is it important?
Certification from AAPG’s Division of Professional Affairs represents the highest standard of commitment to continuing education, ethical practice, and professional excellence in petroleum geosciences—and it’s included as part of your DPA membership. This advanced certification is the DPA’s member-only accolade for those committed to professional excellence and improving their skillset.
DPA membership plus certification is more than just a title—it signals credibility, discipline, and integrity to peers, employers, clients, and regulatory bodies. Whether or not formal reciprocity agreements are in place, Certification elevates your professional reputation and demonstrates your dedication to staying current in a dynamic, technically demanding field.
DPA members are eligible to obtain more than one certification. Each new certification requires a separate application to be submitted.
Earn professional certification by joining DPA
Certified Petroleum Geologist
Petroleum Geophysicist
Coal Geologist
Credibility, in the form of employer/client recognition because your professional peer group attests to your abilities as a geologist.
Increase of improved skills, through participation in pertinent seminars, short courses and professional publications.
A stronger voice, in both industry and government affairs through the established committees within the DPA such as the Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) and its Instant Response Committee and its Government Liaison Subcommittee.
The GAC prepares official AAPG Statements which are then approved by the DPA President, and the AAPG Executive Committee.
AAPG Membership
Applicants must be an active Full Member of AAPG.
Education
Applicants must be graduates of a recognized institution with a degree in Geology.
Experience
Applicants must possess a minimum of 8 years professional experience (7 years with a Master’s Degree; 6 years with a Ph.D.)
Professional Standards
Applicants must demonstrate a sustained record of the highest professional and ethical standards.
Sponsors
Applicants must obtain sponsorship by three certified members of the Association having present knowledge of the applicant’s professional qualifications and ethics. In the extenuating circumstance that such Sponsors are not available to the applicant, the applicant may be sponsored by non-certified AAPG active members having training and experience equivalent to the requirements for certification at the Certified Member level. Sponsors’ endorsement shall be furnished in writing.
Board Approval
The application must be approved by the Board of Certification of the Division of Professional Affairs.
When applying as a Petroleum Geologist under reciprocity agreements with the Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists (SIPES), American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) or The Geological Society of London (GSL) you must be a member in good standing and meet the qualifications outlined in the online process.
The following candidates have submitted certification applications to the Division of Professional Affairs. This does not constitute election, but places the names before the membership at large. Any information bearing on the qualifications of these candidates should be sent promptly to the Executive Committee, P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101.
| LAST_FIRST | COMPANY | CITY | STATE_PROVINCE | SPONSORS | CERT_TYPE | PUB_DATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
McCasland, Ross | Independent Geologist | Lubbock | TX | CPG | 01/31/2026 | |
Hixon, Nick | TRANS PACIFIC OIL CORP | Wichita | KS | CPG | 01/19/2026 | |
Williams-Stroud, Sherilyn | Texas A&M University | College Station | TX | CPG | 01/08/2026 |
Resources
DPA Member Directory
Want to find a qualified DPA member to help with your projects or consulting needs? Search the directory:
DPA Leadership
If you have a recommendation for a leadership candidate, please send an email to Susan Nash.
DPA Honors & Awards
DPA honors and awards are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated distinguished or special service to the DPA, excelled in their field, made an impact for the DPA, and more. These honors and awards are distributed at the discretion of the current DPA leadership. Browse the following awards to learn more and view previous award recipients.
