EPT Designation
Applying for EPt and Maintaining
Your Status
Stay up to date with the rapidly evolving environmental industry and your EPt membership
Ready to Apply?
Download Application Package
For more detailed information, fill out the form to download the EPt Application Guide. Continue reading below to discover more resources related to the Environmental Professional In-Training designation.
After Downloading the Guide, Continue With These Next Steps...
Set Up Your Account
Once you have set up your account, access the ‘My Application’ tab where you will see the link to you continue your application. You will then proceed to the application page, at which point you will complete several more fields of information, in addition to your general contact information.
Self-Assessment
Based on the technical competency statements in the area(s) of specialization that you have chosen, you will be required to conduct a self-assessment of your technical competencies comparing your skills and knowledge to the national standard.
As an EPt, you are not required to meet the minimum levels, but rather to use this as an opportunity to document any experience gained to date that can help you identify areas where more experience/training is required after becoming certified.
Board Approval
The Approvals Board will review elements of your application and provide final ratification. If your application is approved for certification by the Approvals Board, you will be notified via email.
Designation Granted
After you have paid your membership fee and completed the Ethics Agreement requirements, EPt status is granted. You will be mailed a membership package including a wall certificate and membership card, a welcome handbook with in-depth membership information, and your name will be added to the publicly available roster.
Maintaining Your EPt Status
As an EPt, we recognize that you are being introduced to a high level of knowledge and skill within our ever-evolving industry. We want to support you by encouraging you to participate in continuing education, industry events, volunteer activities and thought leadership so that you can gain experience. Keeping soft skills in mind, ECO Canada has developed the EPt PD Training Framework as a springboard to assist you with earning your PD credits and valuable knowledge.
To maintain your EPt membership, you must earn 20 professional development credits annually in at least three categories and six employment credits. While your EPt PD Training Framework meets these criteria, you must upload all of your PD activities into your member account for your credits to be received.
We have five distinct categories of Professional Development:
- Formal Education: 35+ hour formal courses, grad-level degrees/diplomas
- Informal Education: webinars, short courses, seminars, or workshops plus much more
- Professional Contribution: instructor, event speaker, author, etc.
- Volunteer/Professional Activities: Board/Committee member, mentorship program, etc.
- Community and Networking: exam proctor, networking event, community work, etc.
The number of maintenance credits required annually for an EPt membership are:
- PD Credits: 20 PDC (Across 3 different categories)
- Employment Credits: no minimum requirement
- Professional Practice (Audit Log) Credits: N/A
For further information about maintaining your EPt designation, please refer to your Member Guide, which is accessible through your ECO Account. It is in the Benefits & Resources section.
Learning as you Grow
Many resources are provided by ECO Canada on an annual basis to help you fulfill your professional development requirements. Webinars and short courses are available to you 24/7.
Visit our training page to learn more, including how you can participate in upcoming live and on-demand events.
Code of Ethics
The philosophy behind the EP® Code of Ethics and the central tenets contained within the Guideline of Ethical Practice is to support the vision, values, rules of conduct, and standards of practice for EP® members. The EP® Code of Ethics provides a common set of values within the profession.
To protect the public welfare, EP®s & EPts must continually conduct themselves to the highest ethical and professional standards.
Outstanding Fees Policy
If payment of our annual renewal membership fee is not received within 30 days of its due date, a penalty of $50.00 will be charged. You would no longer be considered in good standing and you would be temporarily removed from the membership roster until payment is received within the renewal period. This status will be lifted and the member’s name will be placed back on the roster once payment is received.
If it has been more than 60 days and your membership still has outstanding fees, your designation will lapse. Former members are eligible for reinstatement within 3 years from the date lapsed. Contact EP@eco.ca for reinstatement requirements and process. If your designation is lapsed more than 3 years, you will be required to apply as a new applicant.
Go to your member account login to check the status of your membership and PD credits.
If it has been more than 60 days and your membership still has outstanding fees, your account will be deleted. Your account will be permanently removed, and you can either appeal and pay to reinstate your designation or apply as a new applicant if the lapsed period exceeds 3 years.
If you are unsure of your membership status, login to your ECO Account which will have the status of your membership, fees and other relevant member info.
Annual Membership Fees
EPt members are required to pay a $130.00 renewal fee by April 30th every year. This is still a requirement even if you choose to upgrade to EP during the renewal period.
All payments can be made via member account login on our website. We send out reminder emails to all members in February and March each year.
If you qualify to upgrade from EPt to EP status, we recommend beginning this process in advance of the renewal period in order to avoid incurring additional fees. The upgrade and ethics exam annual fee is $200 – we will waive the renewal fee so you can save on your upgrade!
All payments can be made via member account login on the ECO website. Reminder emails are sent in February and March.
To gain your EP® status, you must pass the Core Knowledge Exam, complete Ethical Guidelines and go through peer validation for your chosen specializations.
