If you are called upon to hire a geotechnical engineer to investigate what you believe to be sinkhole activity, it is important that you take certain steps to assure that you have found a qualified, credible specialist. While there are a variety of different professional specialties with knowledge in the area of sinkhole investigations and repair, certain professionals will be able to provide you with more accurate, useful information. Proper License Requirements. There are several different kinds of professionals that do work relative to sinkholes: geologists, hydrologists, structural engineers, and geotechnical engineers. Sometimes, it will be necessary to find two more of these specialists, as each provides a different perspective on sinkhole investigation and repair. As for licensing, Florida provides special licenses for many of these specialties including "P.E," which means "Professional Engineer," and "P.G.," which means professional geologist. The person providing an opinion on the nature and extent of damage at a location should have one or both of these designations. Investigate the Investigator. Investigate the professional's background by contacting the appropriate licensing board. For example, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation can provide you with information about the background for most professionals in these specialties. Determine if the professional has the appropriate training and whether or not they have ever been the subject of disciplinary action by the State. Make Sure to Get Comprehensive Advice. Many of the sinkhole investigators throughout Florida represent that they have experience in investigating sinkhole activity but are thin on experience in actually remediating the soil or in repairing the structural damage to the property. Be cautious of any professional who only investigates and does not repair sinkhole activity. These professionals may be prone to tell you that sinkhole activity is present when, in fact, it is not. By comparison, you would not want to retain a physician who only identifies disease but does not treat it. By retaining professional companies that investigates and repairs settlement damage, you will be able to a comprehensive solution to the problem. This can be accomplished by requesting addresses of properties where previous work has been successful. If you are in the insurance industry, seek guidance from others in your company who may have dealt with a particular engineer. Contact Local Colleges or Universities for Information. Most large colleges throughout Florida have active geology programs, many of which with academicians with experience in sinkhole activity. This can provide you with good information about what steps can be taken to identify and stop the negative impacts of settlement damage, whether the damage is the result of sinkhole activity or some other cause. These professional can also direct you to locate engineers in your area who work on sinkhole related projects. Consult with Other Engineers. If you work for an insurance company, contact local engineers who assist you in repairing structural damage to property, as these professionals often have contacts with geotechnical specialists. While structural engineers often do not have the specialized training to formally diagnose sinkhole activity, they can frequently spot damage that is consistent with either sinkhole activity or other, more common causes of settlement damage.