Become an Environmental Professional in-training (EPt)
Gain early recognition, build your credibility, and take the first step toward becoming a fully certified Environmental Professional (EP®).
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What the EPt Designation Means in Practice
Earning your EPt designation is more than a credential, it’s a signal that you’re actively building a career in the environmental sector with purpose and direction.
As an EPt, you are recognized as a developing professional who is committed to gaining the experience, skills, and knowledge required to become a fully certified Environmental Professional (EP®). It shows employers, mentors, and peers that you take your career seriously and are aligned with industry standards.
THE EPt® DESIGNATION
Canada’s Benchmark for Environmental Excellence
The Environmental Professional in-Training (EPt) designation is a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates your expertise, ethical commitment, and professional competence in the environmental sector, across all disciplines.
Validated expertise
Demonstrates your knowledge meets a rigorous national standard.
Nationally recognized
Accepted by employers and regulators across all provinces.
Career advancement
Opens doors to senior roles, contracts, and leadership positions.
Peer community
Join 6,000+ EP® professionals across Canada’s environmental sector.
Eligibility Criteria
EPt Designation Requirements
The EPt designation is your pathway to becoming a recognized environmental professional in Canada. As an EPt, you’ll expand your professional network, learn from certified EP mentors, and develop the skills to advance your environmental career.
Education & Training
Recognized Education
You hold a recognized college diploma, university degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD), or equivalent international credentials, qualifying you to pursue the EPt designation.
Professional Commitment
Completion of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) environmental employment assessment to understand your strengths and areas of growth.
Ethics
Agree to the EPt Code of Ethics
You agree to follow the Code of Ethics and sign the EPt Ethics Agreement.
Professional Experience
No Environmental Experience Required
You don’t need prior environmental work experience to start your EPt journey
Start Strong in Your Environmental Career
Benefits of the EPt Designation
The EPt designation gives you a competitive edge early in your career, helping you build credibility, access opportunities, and grow within Canada’s environmental sector.
Exclusive Events & Networking
Receive free passes to EP meetups and connect with professionals across the industry.
Industry Visibility & Recognition
Be included in the membership roster and gain access to major events like the ECO Impact Learning Series and Awards Gala.
Member Perks & Coverage
Enjoy free AD&D insurance coverage, retail benefits, and travel discounts as part of your membership.
Job-Ready Skills Training
Access a free course on essential job-seeking skills to help you stand out in the hiring process.
Mentorship Opportunities
Mentor emerging professionals or connect with senior EP® members, contributing to the strength and depth of Canada’s environmental workforce.
Learning & Development Access
Explore over 60 webinars, training discounts, and a comprehensive library of resources to build your expertise.
Before you Apply
16 Specializations to Choose From
The environmental sector is constantly evolving, and the EPt Certification path is keeping pace. Now, with 16 specializations to choose from, you can showcase your expertise in even more fields. Specializations provide you with an extra credential to promote your areas of expertise. You will need to select at least one and up to two of 16 specializations to include as part of your application.
Over 300 competency statements have been classified into one or more of the environmental sub-sectors:
- Environmental Protection
- Resource Management
- Environmental Sustainability
- Impact Assessment
- Environmental Management
Don’t see a perfect fit? Not to worry. You can earn an EP® without a specialization. Recognizing the wide variety of environmental science and expertise, we offer a flexible path. Environmental professionals are encouraged to proceed with or without a specialization.
Become Designated
How to Become EPt Designated
Follow these four easy steps to start your certification journey.
Apply
Review requirements, pay $200 CAD & fill out your application online
1–2 hours
Validation
ECO Canada reviews and validates your application
10 business days
Certification Fee
Pay $130 CAD your certification fee once approved
Upon approval
Designated
You’re officially a designated EPt
You’re in!
EP® Obligation
Code of Ethics
The philosophy underpinning the EP® Code of Ethics aspires to ensure the advancement of environmental practice, recognising that all EPs, within their sphere of influence, can act in a manner consistent with the values of the designation. The code ensures EP® professionals continuously conduct themselves to the highest ethical and professional standards.
A Strong Foundation
Body of Knowledge
Being a strong environmental professional demands broad knowledge and technical skills. The EP® Body of Knowledge guides you on all the professional and technical competencies required to achieve EP® status, helping to instil values and stakeholder trust in the profession.
Ever-Evolving Professionalism
Maintaining Your EPt Status
To maintain your commitment to competency standards as an EPt, you are required to complete professional development activities and submit your membership fees on an annual basis.
Annual Membership Fee
Renew your EP® membership each year by the due date to maintain your designation, public directory listing, and access to all member benefits.
Due each April
Professional development
20 professional development credits per year are required to demonstrate continued engagement with current auditing standards and industry practices.
If payment is not received within 30 days of the due date, a $50 CAD late fee will be applied. The member will also be listed as not in good standing in the public member directory until payment is received.
Ready to Apply
Join the Thousands of Practitioners Who Have Become Certified
Begin your EPt application today. Applications are reviewed within 10 business days.
Application fee: $200 + taxes · Annual renewal: $130 + taxes is due on April 1 each year