Become a Certified Ecologist
The 2010 certification application period is now OPEN!.
To find out more about the notification process or when the 2010 application period will open, please see the timeline under the FAQ section. If you have any questions, contact Membership Manager Lilly Schwartz at 
or 202-833-8773 ext. 216.
History: Defining a Standard
Since the 1960's, ecologists have been actively involved in setting environmental policy and influencing decision-making in our society. The Ecological Society of America strives to enhance the quality of this advice by instituting a Code of Ethics and providing a professional certification program designed to evaluate the education and professional experience of ecologists. Professional certification means that ecologists have demonstrated an appropriate level of education and experience in applying ecological principles in their professional environmental careers. There is an increasing nation-wide demand for certification credentials in the environmental arena. Most notably is the recent U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) call for certified professionals to act as Technical Service Providers to help farmers, ranchers, and other private landowners protect and restore resources through conservation planning.
Besides natural resource management, ecological expertise is needed on a host of other current environmental problems including: biotechnology, ecological restoration, ozone depletion, global climate change, ecosystem management, nitrogen deposition, species extinction and loss of biological diversity, invasive species, habitat alteration and destruction, and sustainable ecological systems. This expertise is provided by ecologists in academia, government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. However, it has been shown that only a small minority of individuals with graduate degrees find full-time employment in academic institutions. Private environmental companies, Federal, state, and local environmental and natural resource agencies, applied research laboratories, and non-governmental organizations, including private foundations offer major employment opportunities for ecologists. Recognizing this new direction for professional ecologists, the Ecological Society of America provides the certification program for its members, as well as nonmembers and the public who desire a statement of their professional qualifications.
The professional certification program, begun in 1981, recognizes ecologists who seek to incorporate ecological principles in decision-making, who meet a minimum set of standards in education and experience, and who adhere to high ethical standards. It is clear that a formal identification of minimum standards for ecologists is needed and that society needs, welcomes, and now recognizes the ESA Certification Program as a means of identifying well-trained and reliable professionals who meet criteria of competence. Other scientific environmental organizations have furthered their certification programs in response to the requirement for professional certification credentials. The demand for professional certification is apparent. Ecologists need to meet that demand in order to ensure that ecological science is considered in environmental policy and decision making be it on the local, regional, national, or international level. Formal certification is an important criteria to be met by ecologists, whether they are employed in the private or public sector or in academia. Clearly ecological certification will define the standards, formally identify the profession, and increase the respectability of ecologists in environmental affairs
Guidelines & Requirements
Goal and Function
The goal of certification is to foster the incorporation of ecological principles in the decision-making process of the Society. To meet this goal, the Ecological Society of America recognizes individuals whose education, training, and experience meet the established standards of the Society.
Guidelines & Requirements
The ESA certification program provides ready access to professional ecologists for advice and technical guidance on public policy and regulatory issues facing society.
Though certification does not guarantee the competence of individuals to address specific matters, the Society attests that certified members have met minimum education and experience requirement for various certification levels. Each certified member also acknowledges adherence to the ESA Code of Ethics.
Objectives
To serve the needs of ecologists who wish to establish and validate their professional credentials.
- To guide biologists, government agencies, courts, and the public in defining
minimum standards of education and experience for professional ecologists, and
to encourage all practicing ecologists to meet such standards.
- To create and maintain public confidence in the advice and opinions of
Certified Ecologists as well as educated and experienced professionals who have
pledged to uphold the Code of Ethics of the Ecological Society of America and
to act in the best interest of the public.
- To assist the public in identifying ecologists by establishing a procedure
for critical peer evaluation based upon defined minimum education, experience,
and ethical requirements.
Requirements for Eligibility: Education and Experience
Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree which includes the equivalent of at least 30 semester hours of biological science with at least 9 semester hours of ecology, and at least 12 semester hours of physical and mathematical science. Undergraduate requirements may be met in graduate programs but should be documented. Graduate degrees must include an introduction to three major areas of ecological inquiry: populations, communities and ecosystems.
Code of Ethics
Preamble: This code provides guiding principles of conduct for all members of the Ecological Society of America and all ecologists certified by the Society.
It is the desire and purpose of the Society to support and encourage ecological research and education, and to facilitate the application of ecological science in the management of ecological systems.
Code of Ethics
Towards these ends, this Code is intended to further ecological understanding through the open and honest communication of research; to assure appropriate accessibility of accurate and reliable ecological information to employers, policy makers, and the public; and to encourage effective education and training in the disciplines of ecological science.
Individuals aware of breaches of this Code are encouraged to refer to the Society's procedures for addressing violations of the Code, and to communicate with the Society's Executive Director who will explain the code and process.
General: All members of the Ecological Society of America and all ecologists certified by the Society should observe the following principles in the conduct of their professional affairs
- Ecologists will offer professional advice and guidance only on those subjects in which they are informed and qualified through professional training or experience. They will strive to accurately represent ecological understanding and knowledge and to avoid and discourage dissemination of erroneous, biased, or exaggerated statements about ecology.
- Ecologists will not represent themselves as spokespersons for the Society without express authorization by the President of ESA.
- Ecologists will cooperate with other researchers whenever possible and appropriate to assure rapid interchange and dissemination of ecological knowledge.
- Ecologists will not plagiarize in verbal or written communication, but will give full and proper credit to the works and ideas of others, and make every effort to avoid misrepresentation.
- Ecologists will not fabricate, falsify, or suppress results, deliberately misrepresent research findings, or otherwise commit scientific fraud.
- Ecologists will conduct their research so as to avoid or minimize adverse environmental effects of their presence and activities, and in compliance with legal requirements for protection of researchers, human subjects, or research organisms and systems.
- Ecologists will not discriminate against others, in the course of their work on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, race, color, national origin, age, economic status, disability, or organizational affiliation.
- Ecologists will not practice or condone harassment in any form in any professional context.
- In communications, ecologists should clearly differentiate facts, opinions, and hypotheses.
- Ecologists will not seek employment, grants, or gain, nor attempt to injure the reputation or professional opportunities of another scientist by false, biased, or undocumented claims, by offers of gifts or favors, or by any other malicious action.
How to Apply & FAQs: Basic Information
Application Process
Applications must be completed in their entirety and should include all information requested on the appropriate form. All applications should be received by February 1st. All applications post-marked between February 2nd and March 31st will be charged/ invoiced a Late Fee of $25. Certification will be approved or denied in June unless the Board advises the applicant that additional time is needed for review. Please see the Certification Timeline below.
Applicants can expect to be notified of their status during the end of July of the year applied. If approved for certification (both new and renewed), you will receive an official certificate reflecting your level of certification and the years your certification will be active.
After five years, all certified ecologists will be asked to apply for recertification. Recertification at a higher level than previously certified requires the submission of a regular Application for Certification (as opposed to the Application for Recertification).
Application Fees
| Member | Non-Member | |
| Associate Ecologist | $75 | $150 |
| Ecologist | $125 | $250 |
| Senior Ecologist | $125 | $250 |
| Streamlined Application | $125 | N/A |
Application Forms
We urge you to carefully read the information provided in the ESA Certification Guidelines & Requirements to assist in choosing the right form for you.
