Become Certified
Certified Professional Soil Scientist
Certification defines the profession through standards. These standards describe the knowledge, skills, and conduct that clients, employers, and government agencies can use to identify appropriate professionals. SSSA's Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS) certification program sets and maintains the high standards that benefit you and your clients in your chosen career. It begins with a Bachelor's Degree with 5 years of soils experience and having at least 15.0 semester credits of soils specific coursework and 45.0 semester credits of supporting coursework.
Benefits of Certification
Earning certification brings you credibility, opportunity, motivation, ability, and validation. As a professional working in soil science, you care as much about serving your clients as you do about furthering your career. The CPSS certification provides you with the tools you need to succeed in both areas.
Who should be certified?
An individual whose education, experience and career path is in some aspect of the soil science profession and can meet the standards of the program, including:
- Soil science practitioners
- Educators and extension specialists
- Soil science researchers
- Government and academic scientists
- Soil scientists working in environmental, natural resource, or agronomic management companies
- Anyone required by the state to be certified as a CPSS or Certified Professional Soil Classifier (CPSC) when doing soil science work for land use evaluation (eg. septic systems or agricultural management plans).
Certification Requirements
Associate Professional Soil Scientist (APSS) Requirements:
- Minimum of Bachelor's Degree in Soils or related field
- Working towards post-degree experience
- Credential forms approved by board
- Passing of Fundamentals Exam
Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS) Requirements:
- Minimum of Bachelor's Degree in Soils or related field
- 5 years of experience post Bachelor's or 3 years of experience post Master's or PhD
- Credential forms approved by board
- Passing of Fundamentals exam
Testimonials
"When an individual goes through the certification process, our partners and the public can be assured that they are getting information and advice from experts in the field of soil science."
--Matt Deaton, CPSS
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