Standard Practice for Assessment of Certification Programs for Environmental Professionals: Accreditation Criteria (Withdrawn 2007)

SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers minimum acceptable accreditation criteria to assist in the assessment of certification programs for environmental professionals.  
1.2 This practice will assist a user of environmental services in identifying credible certification programs for environmental professionals.  
1.3 This practice does not propose to address any specific certification program for environmental professionals. It is the responsibility of the user of this guide to determine whether or not a specific certification program meets the criteria contained herein.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This practice covers minimum acceptable accreditation criteria to assist in the assessment of certification programs for environmental professionals.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee E50 on Environmental Assessment, Risk Management, and Corrective Action, this practice was withdrawn in January 2007 in accordance with section 10.5.3.1 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.

General Information

Status
Withdrawn
Publication Date
09-Jan-1998
Withdrawal Date
08-Feb-2007
Current Stage
Ref Project

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ASTM E1929-98 - Standard Practice for Assessment of Certification Programs for Environmental Professionals: Accreditation Criteria (Withdrawn 2007)
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E 1929 – 98
Standard Practice for
Assessment of Certification Programs for Environmental
Professionals: Accreditation Criteria
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1929; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.2 certification—recognition by a body that an individual
or entity has met specified criteria and is thereby qualified for
1.1 This practice covers minimum acceptable accreditation
a designated function.
criteria to assist in the assessment of certification programs for
3.1.3 environmental professional—a person possessing suf-
environmental professionals.
ficient education, training and experience necessary to qualify
1.2 The practice will assist a user of environmental services
for practice in a specialty area of the environmental profession.
inidentifyingcrediblecertificationprogramsforenvironmental
3.1.4 licensing—the authorization granted by a government
professionals.
to an individual or entity to perform a function or service.
1.3 This practice does not propose to address any specific
3.1.5 registration—the listing of an individual with and by
certification program for environmental professionals. It is the
a certifying or licensing body. The body may be either
responsibility of the user of this guide to determine whether or
governmental or non-governmental. Registration grants no
not a specific certification program meets the criteria con-
authority nor does it address qualifications.
tained herein.
3.1.6 specialty area—a specified, distinctly identifiable area
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of practice within a profession.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.1 This practice may be employed by users of environmen-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tal services to assess the credibility of certification programs
2. Referenced Documents for environmental professionals.
4.2 Environmental professionals seeking certification may
2.1 CESB Standard:
use this practice to assess the credibility of certification
Guidelines for Engineering and Related Specialty Certifica-
2 programs for environmental professionals.
tion Programs
4.3 Certifying bodies for environmental professionals may
2.2 NCCA Standard:
use this practice to demonstrate that their specific certification
Standards for Accreditation of National Certification Orga-
program for environmental professionals meets minimum stan-
nizations
dards for credibility.
3. Terminology
4.4 This practice is not meant to apply to, replace or
otherwise interfere with any existing government licensing
3.1 Definitions:
board or registration program.
3.1.1 accreditation—the recognition of a certification pro-
gram as conforming to certain standards that qualify individu-
5. Types of Certifying Bodies
als receiving the certification for practice in a specific area.
5.1 Certifying bodies may be either governmental or non-
Accreditation applies to institutions and programs, not indi-
governmental.
viduals.
5.2 Governmental bodies such as state licensing boards may
have established certification programs to meet their individual
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-50 on Environ-
requirements, including state laws and programs.This standard
mental Assessment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E50.05 on
is not mandatory for such bodies, however it may be used as a
Wetland Ecosystems.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 1998. Published June 1998. means to improve their programs.
Available from Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards
(CESB), 130 Holiday Court, Suite 100, Annapolis, MD 21401–7032.
6. Structure of Certifying Body
Available from National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), 1200
6.1 The Certifying Body Shall:
19th Street, N.W., Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036–2401.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1929–98
6.1.1 Be independent from sponsoring professional organi- 8.3 Have written mechanisms in place within the organiza-
zations in matters pertaining to certification; tion to re-evaluate on a periodic basis the knowledge, skills,
6.1.2 Consist of a majority of certified individuals (new and abilities used to define the specialty area;
certifying bodies should refer to 8.1.1.7); and 8.4 Develop a comprehensive examination designed to test
6.1.3 Maintain formal written procedures defining the crite- the body of knowledge relevant to the specialty area;
ria and process used to select or appoint members to the 8.5 Take reasonable precautions to protect the integrity of
certifying body. all examinations before, during and after the examination
period;
7. Resources of Certifying Body
8.6 Have written mechanisms in place to avoid any real or
7.1 The Certifying Body Shall:
perceived conflict of interest, (for example, an applicant and
7.1.1 Possess the expertise, knowledge and skill to imple-
the evaluator shall not be from the same company); and
ment the certification program.
8.7 Provide a means for differentiating certifications issued
after a substantive revision to the certification requirements of
8. Certification Program Operation
the certifying body from those certifications issued prior to the
8.1 The Certifying Body Shall:
revision.
8.1.1 Have a program to evaluate individual competence for
certification that is objective and based on the knowledge,
9. Public Disclosure of Certification by Certifying Body
skills, and abilities needed to function in the specialty area.
9.1 The Certifying Body Shall:
Such programs shall include the following as minimum crite-
9.1.1 Publish and make publicly available a document that
ria:
clearly defines the certification responsibilities of the certifying
8.1.1.1 Have a developed document specifying the “mini-
body and outlines any other activities of the certifying body
mum level of skills and knowledge” (referred to as the “body
which are not related to certification;
of knowledge”) required of a practitioner in the specialty area.
9.1.2 Publish and make publicly available a general descrip-
The “body of knowledge” document shall be subjected to peer
tion of the procedures used in examination construction and
review by practicing professionals in the field of the specialty
validation, administration, and results reporting;
area.Provisionshallbemadetoupdatethedocumenttoremain
9.1.3 Publish and make publicly available a comprehensive
current and relevant. Such document shall be made available
summary of the information, knowledge, or functions covered
upon request.
by any examination required; and
8.1.1.2 Require applicants for certification to meet mini-
9.1.4 Publish and make publicly available, at least annually,
mumeducationalandexperiencerequirementsforthespecialty
a summary of certification activities, including number of
area.
applicants, and number and names of those certified.
8.1.1.3 Require applicants for certification to document
education. The certifying body shall verify that minimum
10. Certifying Body Responsibilities to Applicants
educational requirements have been met.
10.1 The Certifying Body Shall:
8.1.1.4 Require applicants for certification to supply refer-
10.1.1 Not give preferential or prejudicial treatment to any
ences supporting relevant experience in the specialty area.
applicant;
References shall be contacted by the certifying body to verify
10.1.2 Provide all applicants with written copies of proce-
relevant experience.
dures to apply for and attain certification;
8.1.1.5 Have a professional code of ethics that applicants
10.1.3 Maintain a written policy for the periodic review of
requesting certification are provided with and that certificants
application and testing procedures to ensure consistency and
are required to adhere to in their professional practice.
equitableness;
8.1.1.6 Award certification only if the applicant passes a
10.1.4 Report examination results to applicants in a timely
comprehensive examination based on the requirements of the
manner;
document specified in 8.1.1.1; and meets all other stipulated
10.1.5 Provide, upon request, to all applicants who fail the
certification requirements.
examination or fail to meet the requirements of the certifica-
8.1.1.7 New certification programs may grant certification
tion, a written response indicating the general areas of defi-
to applicants on the basis of education and demonstrated
ciency;
experience, without examination, for a limited period of time
10.1.6 Consider and treat the specific and detailed exami-
not exceeding approximately two years, provided all other
nation results of each applicant as confidential; and
certification requirements are met.After that time, no applicant
10.1.7 Publish and maintain a written policy detailing ap-
shall be certified other than by examination.
peal procedures.
8.1.1.8 Award certification for a predefined and limited
period of time, not exceeding approximately five years, after
11. Certifying Body Responsibilities to the Public and
which recertification shall be required.
Consumers
8.1.1.9 Establish re-certification requirements.
8.2 Provide any sponsoring professional organization(s), 11.1 The Certifying Body Shall:
and those who employ or otherwise use environmental services 11.1.1 Ensure that the examination measures the knowl-
within the specialty area an opportunity for input into the edge, skill, and abilities required for practice in the specialty
policies of the certifying body; area;
E1929–98
11.1.2 Award certification only after the examination has the accreditation organization which conducted
been successfully passed and all other certification require- the accreditation and provide the address and
ments have been met; phone number).”
12.5 Independent (third party) accreditation of conformance
11.1.3 Maintain a publicly accessible roster of individuals
with this standard shall be re-evaluated by the accrediting body
awarded certification;
within a period not exceeding approximately five years.
11.1.4 Maintain written due process policies and procedures
12.6 Independent (third party) accreditation shall require
fo
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