Guidelines & Requirements
Levels of Certification
Associate Ecologist
Successful completion of a bachelor's or higher degree in ecology or a related science from an accredited college or university, and at least one year of post-graduate professional experience* gained in the performance of research or development of methods demonstrating technical competence in the current application of ecological principles and/or theory to decision making.
Guidelines & Requirements
Ecologist
- Successful completion of a master's or higher degree in ecology or a related science from an accredited college or university, and at least two years of full-time equivalent professional experience* after degree, OR at least 5 years of professional experience* in addition to the education requirement for Associate Ecologist.
- In addition to experience required for Associate Ecologist, demonstration of ability to perform professional work in ecology such as independent studies, complex data analyses, and formulation and testing of hypotheses must follow completion of the master's degree or the degree level used to qualify for Ecologist's level.
Senior Ecologist
- Successful completion of a doctoral degree in ecology or a related science from an accredited college or university, and at least five years of professional experience*, OR at least 10 years professional experience* in addition to the education requirement for Ecologist.
- Additional experience necessary to qualify at this level includes: a) demonstration, in work output, of thorough knowledge of the literature, scientific principles and theories of ecology, b) demonstration of written original contributions or original interpretation of ecological information, and c) demonstration of technical or organizational competence as evidenced by supervision of projects. Experience must follow completion of the degree level used to qualify for Ecologist.
- An applicant who does not qualify under the above criteria may submit a statement to the Board of Professional Certification explaining why and how the intent of the education and experience requirements is satisfied.
Streamlined Application Requirements
- Must be an ESA members
- Must meet the requirements of a Senior Ecologist
- Must have at least 10 years of experience beyond PH.D.
* Time spent in graduate school beyond the degree being used for the level of certification sought counts as half-time experience. Length of experience will be evaluated only up to the application deadline (February 1).
