Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification ProgramSociety of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification ProgramSociety of Wetland Scientists
Professional Certification Program
WE ARE THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN
CERTIFYING PROFESSIONAL WETLAND SCIENTISTS SINCE 1994
Home

Certification Information

Overview of Program
Mission & Vision
Strategic Plan (PDF)
Board of Directors
Committees
Bylaws
Standing Rules
Requirements
Renewal Process

Professional
Wetland Scientist

Application Forms
Awards
Body of Knowledge
Code of Ethics
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
FAQ
Global Champions
Newsletters
Professional Short Courses

Annual Maintenance Fee
Online Ethics Course
PWS Seal Order Form
PWS Patch Order Form
Store My Renewal Documents
Update My Profile
Search for a Certified
Professional Wetland Scientist
Last Name
City
State
Service County
Service State

Resources

Application - Board of Directors
Application - Standing Committee
Application - Student Board Rep
Connect Session Webinars
COVID-19 Resources
Ethics Resources
Event Calendar
Global Representation
Informational Flyers
Online Store
PWS Photo Gallery
PWS Videos
SWSPCP Logo Use Guidelines
SWSPCP Jobs List
SWS Jobs List

Twitter LinkedIn Facebook



 

Frequently Asked Questions

The Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program (SWSPCP) is currently considering applications from persons interested in certification as a wetland professional. This announcement provides answers to some of the questions that you may have concerning the certification program.

Why was the Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program developed?

The SWSPCP was developed as a separate nonprofit corporate program by the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS), out of a recognized need for minimum standards of wetland science practice. The SWS is a non-profit scientific and educational organization formed to:

    (a) Operate solely and exclusively as a charitable and educational organization to foster conservation and understanding of wetlands.

    (b) Advance public education and enlightenment concerning the world's wetland resources.

    (c) Provide an independent forum for an interchange of ideas and data developed within wetland science.

    (d) Develop and encourage wetland science as a distinct discipline by supporting student education, curriculum development, and research.

    (e) Encourage and evaluate the educational, scientific, and technological development and advancement of all branches of wetland science and practice.

    (f) Encourage the knowledgeable management of wetland resources.

Encouraging and strengthening professional standards in all activities related to wetland science is consistent with these objectives. SWS developed this certification program to meet the needs of professional ecologists, hydrologists, soil scientists, educators, agency professionals, consultants, and others who practice wetland science. This program will also serve the public's need to identify qualified individuals to manage wetland resources.

Why obtain certification? What standing will it have?

Certification is not required by any agency and has no official or legal standing. Certification signifies that your academic and work experience meet the standards expected of a practicing wetland professional and provides acknowledgment to your peers of your adherence to the professional ethics of the Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program. Certification will aid in acceptance by other disciplines, especially in multi-disciplinary work environments.
Public Sector Perspective
Academic Perspective

When should I submit my application?

Specific requirements relating to wetland courses are required for certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS). In almost every case, however, applicants meeting the minimum education requirements will be able to attain certification as Wetland Professional In Training (WPIT).

How long will the process take to (1) complete my application and (2) receive certification?

The application form requires that you list your relevant academic history in the sciences (supported by transcripts) as well as describe your professional experience and publications in the area of wetland science. The most time-critical step may be obtaining signed and sealed references that must be submitted with the application. Applicants will be notified of the results as soon as possible, but usually within several months.

What are the types of certification awarded?

Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT) is considered a preliminary step for persons who have completed the educational requirements but do not meet experience requirements. Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification is awarded for those meeting both educational and experience requirements.

What will it cost for certification and are there annual fees?

All fees must be paid in US dollars, are non-refundable and are sent to the SWSPCP Business Office.

Fees presented below are based on income brackets established by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) using the latest income levels for each country calculated for 2022-2023 economic assistance flows. Four (4) income brackets have been established based on a country's per capita Gross National Income (GNI) as compiled by the World Bank in US Dollars.
  1. Table 1. Application Fee Structure for PWS/SPWS and WPIT for SWS members and SWS non-member from Developed Countries.
    Fees (USD)Developed Countries
    SWS MemberSWS Non-Member
    PWS Application Fee$300.00 US$400.00 US
    WPIT Application Fee$100.00 US$200.00 US

  2. Developed Countries include all G8 members not included in the EU and EU Countries including countries with an established firm date of entry into the EU as of 2022. These include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland and United States of America.
  3. Table 2. Application Fee Structure for PWS/SPWS and WPIT for SWS members and SWS non-member from Upper Middle Income Countries & Territories.
    Fees (USD)Upper Middle Income Countries & Territories
    SWS MemberSWS Non-Member
    PWS Application Fee$102.00 US$136.00 US
    WPIT Application Fee$34.00 US$68.00 US

  4. Upper Middle Income Countries and Territories include: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, China (People's Republic of), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Montserrat, Namibia, Nauru, Niue, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, South Africa, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Wallis and Futuna.
  5. Table 3. Application Fee Structure for PWS/SPWS and WPIT for SWS members and SWS non-member from Lower Middle Income Countries & Territories.
    Fees (USD)Lower Middle Income Countries & Territories
    SWS MemberSWS Non-Member
    PWS Application Fee$36.00 US$48.00 US
    WPIT Application Fee$12.00 US$24.00 US

  6. Lower Middle Income Countries and Territories include: Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bhutan, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Mauritania, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua, New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, West Bank and Gaza Strip, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
  7. Table 4. Application Fee Structure for PWS/SPWS and WPIT for SWS members and SWS non-member from Low Income Countries & Territories.
    Fees (USD)Low Income Countries & Territories
    SWS MemberSWS Non-Member
    PWS Application Fee$12.00 US$16.00 US
    WPIT Application Fee$4.00 US$8.00 US

  8. Low Income Countries and Territories include: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Yemen.
  9. Table 5. Annual Maintenance Fee Structure for PWS, WPIT and Emeriti.
    Fees (USD)Developed CountriesUpper Middle Income Countries & TerritoriesLower Middle Income Countries & TerritoriesLow Income Countries & Territories
    PWS Annual Maintenance Fee$75.00 US$50.00 US$18.00 US$14.00 US
    WPIT Annual Maintenance Fee$50.00 US$35.00 US$13.00 US$8.00 US

  10. The Annual Maintenance fee is due upon receipt of a bill from the Business Office. Individuals are not required to submit an annual maintenance in the year in which they were certified.
  11. Table 6. 5-year Certification Renewal for PWS/SPWS and WPIT.
    Fees (USD)Developed CountriesUpper Middle Income Countries & TerritoriesLower Middle Income Countries & TerritoriesLow Income Countries & Territories
    PWS/SPWS 5-year Certification Renewal$100.00 US$34.00 US$11.00 US$5.00 US
    WPIT 5-year Certification Renewal$50.00 US$17.00 US$6.00 US$2.00 US
    Emeriti Certification Renewal (One-time payment)$150.00 US$51.00 US$17.00 US$6.00 US
    WPIT upgrade to PWS$200.00 US$68.00 US$23.00 US$8.00 US

What are the general requirements for certification?

Minimum degree requirements for WPIT and PWS are the BA or BS degrees, with course distribution of 15 semester hours each in biological and physical sciences and 6 hours in quantitative areas. For certification as a PWS, additional experience of 5 years is required that demonstrates the application of current technical knowledge dealing with wetland resources and activities, some of which may be met by advanced degrees in related fields. Specific requirements include an additional 15 semester hours in wetland-related courses.

Beginning January 1 2015, PWS applicants must provide a statement of expertise essay (500-1000 words) that best describes his or her area(s) of expertise in wetland science. Choose no more than three "expertise areas" from the "General Knowledge Areas" below that best depict your area(s) of expertise in wetland science, and target your statement to focus on those areas. Please relate these area(s) of expertise to your academic training, specialized wetland course work, wetland-related work experience, and wetland science. Essays will be evaluated by the Review Panel based on a maximum of 20 points, with 14 or more points constituting a passing score.

Does this program conflict or overlap with other certification programs?

At the current time, there are no other national or international certification programs for wetland scientists. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has a draft certification program that is specific to wetland delineation and is intended to reduce the level of effort required by this agency in verifying delineation under section 404 requirements of the United States "Clean Water Act". Although this program was deployed as a pilot program in three Corps districts, it has been put on indefinite hold and is currently not in effect.

Can reference requirements overlap?

Each initial application for WPIT or PWS must provide a minimum of 5 listed references, one of which must be a member of SWS in good standing and two must be PWS's in good standing. Three of the 5 listed references must complete a Form 'C' reference. A reference who is both a member of SWS and a certified PWS is able to satisfy both requirements.

How is credit calculated for professional short courses?

Wetland related short courses taken outside of the university setting are calculated on an 'equivalent semester hour' basis where 15 hours of instruction equals 1 equivalent semester hour of credit. For example, a 36 hour course in wetland delineation methodologies would be worth 2.4 equivalent semester hours of credit. The applicant must clearly document the dates and location of the class, names of the instructors, the number of hours of instruction and provide copies of any certificates issued.

How do I format the required information regarding specialized wetland course work (SWCW)?

Professional short courses should be formatted in the following manner:
Basic Wetland Delineation, August 1-5, 2000, Chicago, IL
36 hours of Instruction, Equivalent semester hours = 2.4
Instructors: Dr. Jane Doe, Mr. John Doe
Acme Wetlands Training Consortium
101 Main Street
Anytown, State, USA 99999

Wetland Courses where academic credit was achieved:
Biol. 515 Wetlands Ecology
All American University
3 Semester Hours

Can I include additional information in the application other than what is specifically required?

Additional pertinent information may be included in either the professional experience section or in section IV. d. 'other Involvements as a Professional Wetland Scientist'. Do not however, provide copies or excerpts of any work products.

What is the difference between certification maintenance fees and certification renewal?

Please see the Certification Renewal vs. Certification Maintenance - A Letter from the President on the main page.

Where do I obtain an application?

Society of Wetland Scientists
Professional Certification Program

2800 W. Higgins Rd. Suite 440
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Toll Free: 877.226.9902
Fax: 847.885.8393

Program Manager
Adrianna Borczyk
Kindly contact me through Email.

Note: You can also apply online by clicking here.

 

© Copyright 2024
Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program
Last Updated 11/20/23