Recognition
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
IPEP
was notified in October 1997 that the EPA officially considers the QEP to
be "a desirable qualification that can assist applicants in
their ability to successfully compete for positions and promotions at EPA." They
have made information on the QEP available to employees through the EPA
Learning Institute, and will exhibit information about the QEP in their
development resource center.
In March, 1998, the EPA's Office of Acquisition Management (OAM) reviewed the QEP and "indicated that the QEP certification serves to distinguish a highly competent and accomplished individual in the environmental field. Therefore, to the extent that a program office recommends inclusion of a QEP certification for individual solicitation action, OAM contracting personnel will include the requirement in the evaluation criteria."
ASTM's Standard
In
January 1998, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) issued
Standard E 1929-98, Standard Practice for the Assessment of Certification
Programs for Environmental Professionals: Accreditation Criteria. The
standard was passed after three years of work and the input of more than
4,000 environmental professionals. The Qualified Environmental Professional
(QEP) certification of the Institute of Professional Environmental Practice
(IPEP) is already in full compliance with this standard. (Note: The ASTM Standard is currently subject to required routine review and possible revision. IPEP is monitoring this review)
The Institute's QEP credential is among only five environmental credentials
in compliance with the standard. To comply with the ASTM standard, certifying
bodies must meet stringent accreditation criteria that includes (1) development
of a peer-reviewed document specifying minimum education and experience
requirements, (2) adherence to a professional code of ethics, (3) documentation
of the applicant’s education and experience, with subsequent verification
by the certifying body, (4) passing a comprehensive examination, (5) a written
mechanism to avoid any real or perceived conflict of interest, (6) establishment
of written provisions for sanctions resulting from misuse, abuse, or fraudulent
use of the certification, and (7) the certifying body of the credential
must receive third-party accreditation that conforms with the accreditation
criteria established in the ASTM standard.
US Air Force
The Department of the Air Force issued a letter in early 1997 notifying IPEP that the Air Force Civil Engineer Career Program recognizes the QEP certification. The Civil Engineer Career Guide was revised to reflect the QEP and list contacts for those interested.
CESB Accreditation
The Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB), an independent, third party accreditation body, has granted full accreditation to the QEP.
For more information, please contact us.