ESA Certification: Application Process
Basic Information
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.
- To apply for New Certification, download the Certification Application, (PDF - online and print) (MS Word - print only)
- To renew your ESA Certification, download the Recertification Application, (PDF - online and print) (MS Word - print only)
- To apply newly or renew your Certification using the Streamline Application Click Here, (PDF - online and print) (MS Word - print only)
Timeline
|
September October |
Certification Process Resumes – for Subsequent Year Recertification reminder: Broadcast email sent to current ecologist with certification ending the coming year. Certification Information: Email also sent to all ESA members containing information about our Certification Program. Renew membership now to receive member rate for certification |
|
November December January |
SUBMIT APPLICATIONS NOW TO ALLOW TIME FOR RECOMMENDATION LETTERS AND/ OR ANY OTHER MISSING INFORMATION TO BE REQUESTED AND RECEIVED BEFORE DEADLINE!!! |
| February March |
Primary Deadline February 1st. Late Fee ($25) applied to all applications received after this date. All applications post-marked between the dates of February 2nd and March 31st should include the Late Fee in its payment. If this payment was not included in the certification fee by the applicant, he/ she will be invoiced. |
| April | Final Deadline April 15th. ANY applications/ payments/ recommendation letters post-marked after this date may cause the application to be held for next year’s review. |
| May | ESA Headquarters Staff Prepares Applications for Review. |
| June | In early June The Board of Professional Certification Review takes place. The Board will determine if applications are accepted, denied, accepted at lower level, accepted at higher level or if additional information is needed. Notification of Certification Status will be mailed and questions regarding the results may be sent in response. Deadline for Additional Information is June 30th. ANY documents postmarked after this date will be held for next year’s review. |
| July/August | The Board of Professional Certification will hold its Final Review. Notification of Certification Status will be mailed and questions regarding the results and/or appeal requests may be sent in response. |
| August |
Certification Process Ends - please submit Current Year Applicants Appeals and General Inquiries ONLY |
Frequently Asked Questions
General Inquires
What happens to my application if received after the February 1st deadline?
You will receive an invoice for the Late Application Fee. Your application
will not be submitted to the Board for review if payment is not
received by April 15th.
What if I don’t know an ESA member to write one of my
recommendations?
A recommendation from an ESA member is a requirement for all
certification (except streamlined applicants). You may search our
ecologists directory and familiarize yourself with
Certified Ecologists near your or you may encourage a mentor or
colleague to become an ESA member.
What happens if my recommendations arrive after the deadline?
Recommendations letters are collected until 4/30. Any letters received
after this date may result in the application being held for review
the following year.
How long is the duration of ESA’s certification?
Certification at all levels lasts five years (July 1st, Current
Year - June 30th, Five Years Hence).
Application Forms
How many copies of my form does ESA need?
How many copies of my form does ESA need?
If you are submitting by mail, please send your original application plus 8 additional copies. These copies should include your cover letter and CV. Only one copy of any supplemental materials or letters of recommendation is required. Please leave the Application Fee Section blank on all copies but the original. If submitting online, only one copy of all materials is required.
How do I handle the Membership verification section if
I don’t have a membership ID?
Send a copy of your membership payment, if there is no proof of
membership, you will be invoiced for the difference of non-member
versus ESA member rate.
Streamlined Process
I am currently certified under Ecologist level and I am
interested in applying under the Streamlined Process, do I use the
streamlined form even though I am applying at a higher level?
Yes. On the Streamlined Forms there will be a new section
for you to indicate if your application is a new one or if it
is a recertification at higher level.
Deadlines
What happens to my application if it is received after February 1st?
All applications post-marked before February 1st will be accepted.
Those post-marked between February 2nd and March 31st will be accepted
and charged/ invoiced a late fee of $25. Any applications post-marked
after March 31st will be returned to the applicant.
If my recommendation letters are not submitted before the March 31st
deadline, how does that affect my application process?
If the letters are received before the Certification Board meets
to review the applications, the letters will be considered. However,
if the letter(s) is/are received after the first meeting it/they
will not be considered. The only possible exception is if the Board
needs more information and the letter(s) is/are received before
the second review of your application.
For additional certification information, please contact Rachel Dellon at (202) 833-8773 or email @ rachel@esa.org.
Thank you for your interest in our certification program and we look forward to your application.