This certification program is managed by the National Registry in Clinical Chemistry (NRCC), an organization that was founded in 1967 to certify professionals in clinical chemistry.  However, in response to a 1994  Task Force on Safety Certification, this organization was selected to administer a certification program for chemists involved in Environmental Analytical Chemistry.  Since 1998 the NRCC offers two certifications of interest to chemists and other scientists involved in environmental chemistry: Environmental Analytical Chemist  and Environmental Analytical Technician.
Several states recognize (have legislation) this NRCC certification which may become a requirement for personnel working in environmental chemistry laboratories.  Another plus for these certifications is that they are sponsored by the following Associations, of which several faculty in our department are active members:
    American Chemical Society (ACS)
    American Institute of Chemists (AIC)
and several other associations related to clinical, forensic and hygiene specialties.

Applicants for the Environmental Analytical Chemist certification must meet the following requirements:  Bachelor's degree in chemistry (ACS certified) OR Bachelor's degree in a chemical science AND 2 years of laboratory experience OR Bachelor's degree in a Natural science (oceanography agriculture, soil science, biological...) with 16 semester hours of chemistry AND  3 years of laboratory experience.

Applicants for the Environmental Analytical Technician certification  require:  A degree (Associate's to a Ph.D.) in any natural science with 10 semester hours of chemistry OR 5 years of laboratory experience.

The examination consists of 150 questions in chemistry related to the environment in the following categories:
        Safety
        Sampling Schemes
        Chain-of-Custody
        Sample Integrity
        Method of Selection
        Sample pre-sub sample
        Calibration of Instruments
        Analysis
        Analytical Methods
        Data Calculations/Treatment
        Data Reporting
        QA/QC
        Sample and Reagent Disposal
        Data Retention
        Expert Witness
        General Laboratory Procedures

Clearly, this program has a lot of flexibility in the qualifications, which are easily achieved by SWES students with strong (analytical) chemistry backgrounds.  If you are interested in working in a commercial laboratory this certification may come in very handy.

Exams are administered once a year at locations "within reasonable distance of candidates".

See exam schedules, dates, costs and sites at the  NRCC web page.
 

updated: 1-14-99  JFA