Workshop: Exploring a Unified Credential
March 30, 2009 by Brian Butler , John Morelli , , gmoulder , and admin | Filed under: Certification and Licensing -- Exploring Creation of a Unified Credential for Environmental Professionals [4]
Representatives from IHMM, IPEP, ABCEP, ANSI and CESB have been exploring the possibility of aligning three existing premier credentialing programs for environmental professionals in the US. During these two workshop sessions, they will continue their deliberations and attempt to answer the following questions:
- How do we define “environmental professional?”
- What level of academic preparation should an individual have as a minimum requirement before being recognized as an environmental professional?
- How many years of relevant environment-related work experience should an individual have as a minimum requirement before being recognized as an environmental professional?
- Is it beneficial to have a single unified environmental credential, similar to the CIH or CSP, for those in environment-related professions?
- If so, how can we align existing programs to achieve this?
Moderator: John Morelli
Most states have licensing or certification requirements for professionals, such as engineers and geologists that are universally recognized despite the fact that most are honored only in those states which issued them. However, in the environmental community, there is a plethora of credentials, many of which perform similar duties and functions, yet differ primarily by the organization that issued the certification. Within industry, there is a movement towards an environmental, health and safety professional, a person who is expected to be knowledgeable and capable across many common and interfacing disciplines. As the number of environmental professional designations proliferates, the credibility of each professional designation deteriorates. However, as with the PE or CSP, if a single environmental professional standard was established with universally accepted standards of professional competence, the credibility and acceptability of that holder within the environmental profession would dramatically increase. Just as there are different fields of expertise within the PE designation, so would be the case with an environmental professional certification. Just because you are an MD, doesn’t mean you can perform brain surgery. The same would hold true for an environmental professional. The environmental professional designation would set that person apart within the environmental community of practice. Common, recognized standards along with a universal acceptance of a single environmental professional designation would go far in elevating the holder of this designation within industry, government and academia.
As a CSP, I would agree with the statement that not all MDs could perform brain surgery. The CSP certification includes a comprehensive test covering all areas of the EHS field, proof of experience in the field, and proof of a degree in higher education.
The first key to this certification is proof of academic achievement. This is accomplished by providing a transcript from a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or a U.S. Department of Education university or college. Equivalency criteria exist for applicants that have achieved the required educational experience from institutions outside of the United States.
The second key if proof of experience in the field. This experience must be at a full-time, professional level and cover the broad spectrum of EHS responsibilities. Proof is provided by submission of a detailed application for experience credit; however, two references must also be provided, one each from a direct supervisor and an accredited peer.
The third key is successful completion of a comprehensive exam. The exam acts as a tool to prove competency in the field.
There are also several certifications for individuals that practice EHS at the technician level, including the Occupational Health and Safety Technologist, Construction Health and Safety Technician, and Safety Trained Supervisor, each with a different requirement for certification that incorporates education, experience, and testing.
Precedence exists for development of unified credentials and memorandums of understanding with existing credentialing boards in the environmental field.
I would be very happy to see this come together. As an EHS professional and CHMM, I have found it somewhat confusing that there has never been a unified credential for the environmental field. The CHMM exam (IHMM) is very comprehensive and covered a wide range of material, as well as requiring essentially the same educational/professional criteria as the CIH and the CSP (see the previous posting). Since there are many more environmental certifications that are reputable in addition to the CHMM, how does an employer (or EHS professional) know which 3-4 letter acronym carries more credibility?
At the time I sat for the CHMM exam, I believed it to be a highly regarded certification but have since become aware that most employers are uninformed when it comes to environmental certifications, undoubtedly due to the fact that there are so many certifications available. In my region of the US (Southeastern), organizations do not list an environmental certification when posting job openings, only the CSP, and CIH are used as a “job pre-requisite” or “recommended” regardless if the assignment weighs heaviest on the environmental side.
I, also, believe that there should be a credential for the environmental field. Not only would having earned the credential allow for the profession be ‘unified’ its understandings and expectations, but it allows for there to be a weighted system. I learned a lot from reading srasmuss’ post. I am an MBA student and did not realize that there were more than one certificate in this field. From a hiring perspective, it seems detremental. If there is regional isolation with certificates, you may be cutting a large portion of your talent pool out of the running for positions within your company. A hiring manager’s goal is to find the best talent possible, and unifying the system will greatly reduce this unfortunate circumstance of regional isolation.
I agree with Rachel. For folks interested in entering the field, having one credential would be more clear. It would also be helpful to have a sub-credential, to serve the purpose of committing to the field. I don’t fit the profile of an expert. I have an engineering degree and 15 years of experience in telecommunications, and have recently obtained a PMP credential. In the project management field, there is also CAPM, for those who can not prove enough hours to be considered and expert but still want to be considered as ‘in the field’. I envision having more happiness in a field that is tied to my planet, managing technology projects for the environment instead of telecommunications. Knowing which path to pursue has been a bit confusing.