ASTM_E_1929_-_98.pdf

Designation:E 1929 98Standard Practice forAssessment of Certification Programs for EnvironmentalProfessionals:Accreditation Criteria1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1929;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice covers minimum acceptable accreditationcriteria to assist in the assessment of certification programs forenvironmental professionals.1.2 The practice will assist a user of environmental servicesin identifying credible certification programs for environmentalprofessionals.1.3 This practice does not propose to address any specificcertification program for environmental professionals.It is theresponsibility of the user of this guide to determine whether ornot a specific certification program meets the criteria con-tained herein.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1CESB Standard:Guidelines for Engineering and Related Specialty Certifica-tion Programs22.2NCCA Standard:Standards for Accreditation of National Certification Orga-nizations33.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 accreditationthe recognition of a certification pro-gram as conforming to certain standards that qualify individu-als receiving the certification for practice in a specific area.Accreditation applies to institutions and programs,not indi-viduals.3.1.2 certificationrecognition by a body that an individualor entity has met specified criteria and is thereby qualified fora designated function.3.1.3 environmental professionala person possessing suf-ficient education,training and experience necessary to qualifyfor practice in a specialty area of the environmental profession.3.1.4 licensingthe authorization granted by a governmentto an individual or entity to perform a function or service.3.1.5 registrationthe listing of an individual with and bya certifying or licensing body.The body may be eithergovernmental or non-governmental.Registration grants noauthority nor does it address qualifications.3.1.6 specialty areaa specified,distinctly identifiable areaof practice within a profession.4.Significance and Use4.1 This practice may be employed by users of environmen-tal services to assess the credibility of certification programsfor environmental professionals.4.2 Environmental professionals seeking certification mayuse this practice to assess the credibility of certificationprograms for environmental professionals.4.3 Certifying bodies for environmental professionals mayuse this practice to demonstrate that their specific certificationprogram for environmental professionals meets minimum stan-dards for credibility.4.4 This practice is not meant to apply to,replace orotherwise interfere with any existing government licensingboard or registration program.5.Types of Certifying Bodies5.1 Certifying bodies may be either governmental or non-governmental.5.2 Governmental bodies such as state licensing boards mayhave established certification programs to meet their individualrequirements,including state laws and programs.This standardis not mandatory for such bodies,however it may be used as ameans to improve their programs.6.Structure of Certifying Body6.1 The Certifying Body Shall:1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-50 on Environ-mental Assessment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E50.05 onWetland Ecosystems.Current edition approved Jan.10,1998.Published June 1998.2Available from Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards(CESB),130 Holiday Court,Suite 100,Annapolis,MD 214017032.3Available from National Commission for Certifying Agencies(NCCA),120019th Street,N.W.,Suite 300,Washington,DC 200362401.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.6.1.1 Be independent from sponsoring professional organi-zations in matters pertaining to certification;6.1.2 Consist of a majority of certified individuals(newcertifying bodies should refer to 8.1.1.7);and6.1.3 Maintain formal written procedures defining the crite-ria and process used to select or appoint members to thecertifying body.7.Resources of Certifying Body7.1 The Certifying Body Shall:7.1.1 Possess the expertise,knowledge and skill to imple-ment the certification program.8.Certification Program Operation8.1 The Certifying Body Shall:8.1.1 Have a program to evaluate individual competence forcertification that is objective and based on the knowledge,skills,and abilities needed to function in the specialty area.Such programs shall includ