Earning Criteria

• Hold at least a 4-year, U.S. bachelor's degree or international equivalent in physical, earth or natural sciences, engineering, or mathematics.  A degree in a discipline other than those listed above is acceptable with 8 years of professional environmental work experience.
• Five or more years in environmental sciences with specialty-area knowledge in one of four areas:  Air Quality, Water Quality, Solid & Hazardous Waste, or Environmental Science and Management.
• Three references, preferably from environmental professionals familiar with the candidate's work.
• Pass a rigorous exam of 100 multiple-choice questions in general environmental science.  This requirement is also satisfied by individuals awarded the Environmental Professional In-Training (EPI) designation.
• Pass a rigorous certification exam of 100 multiple-choice questions in one of four specialty areas:  Air Quality, Water Quality, Solid & Hazardous Waste, or Environmental Science and Management.
• Applicants, candidates, and certified practitioners agree to uphold the BGC Code of Ethics and must practice ethically.
• Recertification requires documentation of knowledge, skill, and ethics requirements every 5 years.
• An oral examination can be taken in lieu of the written General Environmental Science and Specialty exams if the applicant has a baccalaureate degree and 15 years of professional environmental work experience (ten of which were in a position of a leadership or influence),  and one reference from a QEP.