To apply for a credential under the International Certified Environmental Samplers & Specialists Program, you must FIRST complete the field course that corresponds to the certificate for which you are applying.  You must also complete the Exam Request Form, pay the examination fee, and take and pass the practical exam(s) based on the practical problems completed during that field course and corresponding course handout materials.  You may take the exam(s) at the field course or after the field course, and submit the exam(s) to NEFS for grading.  To pass the exam(s), you must attain a passing grade of 70% or better on each exam.  Grading is done after the course has been completed. 

AFTER you have completed the field course and passed the required practical exam(s), you must complete the Application Form and submit this form along with the documentation required for the certificate for which you are applying, including:

1a)  A copy of your undergraduate or graduate university or college diploma in an environmental field (or a copy of your transcripts); OR

1b) A copy of your undergraduate, graduate or associate university or college diploma in a non-environmental field (or a copy of your transcripts), or your high school diploma, along with a notarized statement from your current (or a past) employer (or employers) documenting 4 or more years of relevant experience in one or more job positions in an environmental field and describing that experience in detail;

2) A copy of the course completion certificate from the NEFS course that corresponds to the desired certification; and

3) Documentation of a passing grade on the practical exam(s) from the course at which you received your NEFS Course Completion Certificate.  Past students (see below) must request a copy of the exam(s) from the course they completed, and complete the exam(s) and submit it (them) to NEFS for grading.  A passing grade (70% or better) must be achieved on each exam.

The deadline for submitting your completed application is 60 days after you are notified that you achieved a passing grade on the practical exam(s).  To complete the application process, you must submit a check or credit card payment for the non-refundable application fee ($85.00 US) and the initial Certificate fee of $65.  An annual maintenance fee of $85.00 US will be due on January 1 of each year following your initial certification date.  Every 2 years following your initial certification, you must provide documentation of your having completed 16 hours of relevant continuing education.  To order your examinations, pay application or initial certification fees or to submit your annual renewal fee, click here.

Questions?

Give us a call (575-532-5535) or send us an email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )  if you have any questions about how to earn your certification today!