up:: [[Sustainability and Sustainable Design]] tags:: #source/article # Environmental Professional by ECO Canada [Environmental-Professionals-ECO-Canada.pdf](https://info.eco.ca/acton/attachment/42902/f-f2ef0a42-c9cf-41a1-836c-1a9ddd959c0d/1/-/-/-/-/NOS-for-Environmental-Professionals-ECO-Canada.pdf) To become an Environmental Professional (EP) through ECO Canada, candidates must meet specific competency requirements that affirm their expertise and experience in the environmental sector. Here's a summary of the core eligibility criteria and competency requirements: ### Eligibility Criteria: - **Education:** Applicants must hold a recognized Canadian college diploma or university degree, or equivalent international credentials. The field of study is not restricted to environmental disciplines, making the certification accessible to a broad range of professionals who contribute to environmental work. - **Employment History:** At least five years of environmental work experience in Canada is required, which must be recent (within the past ten years). This experience is crucial for demonstrating practical knowledge and competence in the field. - **Specializations:** Applicants have the option to emphasize their expertise in one or more of 14 specializations of the environmental sector. This allows for recognition of specific skills and knowledge areas within the diverse field of environmental work. ### Competency Requirements: - **Professional Credibility:** The EP designation is designed to formally recognize and verify an individual's environmental skills and knowledge, enhancing their professional credibility nationwide. - **Ethics Exam:** All new EPs must pass a Body of Knowledge and Ethics exam, ensuring that certified professionals adhere to a high standard of ethical and professional conduct. - **Continuous Professional Development:** EP certification encourages lifelong learning and professional growth, with requirements for ongoing education and participation in community events like the ECO Impact annual conference, to maintain certification status and stay updated with industry developments. ECO Canada also encourages individuals working in, supervising, or with experience in the environmental sector to participate in shaping new competency profiles. These profiles are part of ECO Canada's effort to map out labor needs, identify competency requirements, and guide curriculum development for training programs, especially in emerging sectors like Canada’s electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain. The EP designation not only validates environmental expertise and integrity but also opens up networking opportunities, provides access to exclusive resources, and enhances marketability and mobility within the environmental sector. By meeting these criteria, professionals can align their careers with the evolving needs of the environmental workforce and contribute to sustainable development and environmental stewardship in Canada.