Climate Scientists

Certification or Licensing

"There is an increasing nationwide demand for certification credentials in the environmental arena," according to the Ecological Society of America (ESA). "Besides natural resource management, ecological expertise is needed on a host of other current environmental problems, including: biotechnology, ecological restoration, ozone depletion, global climate change, ecosystem management, nitrogen deposition, species extinction and loss of biological diversity, invasive species, habitat alteration and destruction, and sustainable ecological systems."

Climate scientists can pursue voluntary certification from a variety of professional associations such as the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals (certified environmental professional, certified environmental professional-in training), ESA (certified ecologist), and the Soil Science Society of America (associate professional soil scientist, certified professional soil scientist). Certification requirements vary, but most programs require applicants to have completed several years of experience, have a minimum level of education, complete additional coursework, and pass an examination.

What are the benefits of certification? Scientists who are certified typically earn higher salaries and have better advancement prospects than those who are not certified.