| Name | Acronym | Issuing Organization | Subject Area | Education Needed | Relevant Experience Needed | Other Requirements | Leads to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineer-in-Training | EIT | A state licensing board | Engineering | Typically, a Bachelors in engineering from (or senior status in) an ABET-accredited program (varies by state) | None | Pass an exam | Professional Engineer (PE) |
| Geologist-in-Training | GIT | A state licensing board (not in all states) | Geology | Typically, a Bachelors (or senior status) in geology or related field (varies by state) | None | Pass an exam | Professional Geologist (PG) |
| Environmental Professional In-training | EPI | Board for Global EHS Credentialing | General | Bachelors degree in physical, earth, or natural science; engineering; or mathematics | None | Pass an exam | Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) |
| Certified Environmental Professional In Training | CEP-IT | Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals | General | Bachelors | 1 year of professional environmental experience | Pass an exam | Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) |
| Associate Environmental Professional | AEP | National Registry of Environmental Professionals | Environmental, Health, and Safety | Bachelors in an environmentally-related discipline | None | Pass an exam | None |
| Associate Safety Professional | ASP | Board of Certified Safety Professionals | Environmental, Health, and Safety | Bachelors degree, or associate degree related to environment, safety, and health | 1 year related to safety | Pass an exam | Certified Safety Professional (CSP) |
| Student Certified Hazardous Materials Manager | ST/CHMM | Institute of Hazardous Materials Management | Environmental, Health, and Safety | In a Bachelors program in environmental studies, environmental engineering, or related sciences | 1,500 hours of related experience | Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) | |
| Registered Environmental Health Specialist/ Registered Sanitarian- In Training | REHS/RS-IT | National Environmental Health Association | Environmental Health | Bachelors or higher with 30 semester hours of science coursework and a math class | None (if you have a degree in environmental health from a certified program, you can skip the trainee step) | Pass an exam | Registered Environmental Health Specialist/ Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) |
| Wetland Professional In Training | WPIT | Society of Wetland Scientists | Wetlands | Bachelors, with 15 semester hours each in biological and physical sciences, and 6 semester hours in quantitative sciences | None | Professional references in wetland science | Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) |
| Associate Professional Soil Scientist | APSS | Soil Science Society of America | Soil Science | Bachelors in soils or related field | None | Pass an exam | Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS) |
| Associate Wildlife Biologist | AWB | The Wildlife Society | Wildlife Biology | Bachelors, with 78 semester hours in various subject relating to wildlife biology | None | Professional references in wildlife biology | Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB) |
| Ecologist in Training | EiT | Ecological Society of America | Ecology | Bachelors or higher in ecology or related science, with 30 semester hours in biology (with 9 in ecology) and 12 semester hours in physical sciences and math | None | Certified Ecologist (CE) | |
| Candidate Certified Forester | CCF | Society of American Foresters | Forestry | A Bachelors or higher in forestry or related field, with 56 semester hours in forestry-related coursework | None | Pass an exam | Certified Forester (CF) |
| Qualified Stormwater Manager | QSM | EnviroCert International | Stormwater Management | Take a review course | None | Pass an exam | Certified Erosion, Sediment and Stormwater Inspector (CESSWI) |
| Certified Floodplain Manager | CFM | Association of State Floodplain Managers | Floodplains | None (degree recommended) | None (2 years recommended, if no degree) | Pass an exam | None |
| Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Associate | LEED Green Associate | U.S. Green Building Council | Sustainability | None | None | Pass an exam | LEED Accredited Professional (AP) |
| Envision Sustainability Professional | ENV SP | Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure | Sustainability | None | None | Take a training and pass an exam | None |
| Certified EcoLeader | – | National Wildlife Federation | Sustainability | Complete a set of core requirements and earn 25 elective leadership points through the program | Complete a sustainability project | None |
There are thousands of graduates each year earning their degree in an environmental field, and it can be difficult to stand out. Obviously, your coursework, work experience, and internships are important, but sometimes that isn’t enough. Or perhaps you just want a unique leg up on the competition? Well, there are many organizations out there (as shown in the table above) that will happily grant you an entry level certification, if you qualify (and pay up to several hundred dollars). Even though the fees can be expensive and many organizations require you to sit for an exam, it could be worth your time and money. Plus, what are another couple hundred dollars and another exam after an expensive and time-consuming college education…?
Joking aside, besides just being another bullet on your job application, these certifications can help you network with professionals and enhance your industry knowledge. The issuing organization may have meetings, conferences, or mentorship programs, and networking is one of the most powerful ways to secure your first job in the environmental industry. Many of these entry level certifications put you on track to achieve a full professional certification after a certain amount of experience as well. I have put together a different table of these full professional certifications, if you are curious.
However, do not feel pressured into spending on these certifications. While helpful, the vast majority of graduates being hired do not possess any of these. The exception may be geology and engineering graduates, who should certainly get their GIT or EIT if they can, as a PG or PE will greatly benefit their environmental career down the road.
Disclaimer: the purpose of the table is purely for quick reference and to show you what kind of certifications are out there. If you are seriously interested in pursuing a certain license or certification, conduct your own due diligence and review the application materials provided by the issuing organization. I’ve summarized the requirements for easier reading and formatting, but I am not an authority on any of these certifications. The wording of requirements has been simplified. Additionally, not all requirements, such as reference letters, fees, ethic statements, or experience summaries, are in the table. Furthermore, eligibility requirements can and do change, so visit the issuing organization’s website for the latest information.