Candidates wishing to obtain diplomate status of the IBERA must demonstrate expertise in environmental risk assessment (ERA) through education, experience, and by examination.

To achieve certification as a diplomate of the IBERA, the following criteria must be met:

  • Specific education relevant to ERA;
  • Demonstrated work experience in ERA; and

  • Successful completion of an exam testing ERA knowledge.

Eligibility is determined on the basis of the first two criteria. Once eligibility is attained, the individual is considered a candidate and is approved to take the diplomate exam.

Important Dates

  • 15 June: IBERA application deadline

  • 30 June: Professional experience confirmation deadline

  • 31 July: IBERA application deadline for SETAC Latin America and Africa members

  • 31 August: Exam fee deadline

  • 17 September–11 October: Exam date at certified testing centers

  • 17–20 September: Onsite paper exam date for candidates attending the SETAC Latin America 15th Biennial Meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay

  • 8–11 October: Onsite paper exam date for candidates attending the SETAC Africa 11th Biennial Meeting in Accra, Ghana

Procedure

To determine eligibility, take the exam and become an IBERA diplomate, the process below must be followed.

Step 1. Determine Eligibility

Applicants must first determine if they meet specific education and professional experience requirements.
To do so applicants must:

Regular Exams Onsite Paper Exams
Submit an application
Applicants must complete the online application and pay the application fee by the applicable deadline. Applications are only accepted online via the application portal. Only complete dossiers will be reviewed, and it’s the responsibility of the applicant to ensure timely receipt of all required documentation. Incomplete or late documentation will result in an ineligible status.		 15 June 31 July
Confirm professional work experiences
Confirmation of professional work experience must be submitted directly by supervisor(s) or clients through the application portal or to info@ibera-certification.org.		 30 June 15 August
Applicants receive feedback regarding the eligibility
A confirmed eligibility is valid for 3 years.
 15 July 31 August

If the eligibility is confirmed (within the last 3 years) candidates can

  • Preparation

Preparation is a self-study.Look at the list of domains and subdomains and the list of references to prepare for the exam.

  • Pay exam fee

Eligible candidates must pay the exam fee no later than 31 August 2023 to schedule the exam.

  • Schedule the exam

Schedule the exam at a preferred location and sit for the exam between 17 September – 11 October 2023. Exams take place at certified testing centres around the world and are administered via computer. The examination contains of 115 multiple-choice questions (100 graded and 15 beta questions) with single correct answer which candidates have 4 hours to answer. An applicant may take the exam in any of the 3 years of eligibility.

  • Candidates of the regular exams will receive notification of the exam results prior to 30 December 2023.
  • Successful candidates have the right to carry the title “IBERA certified environmental risk assessor” or “IBERA Diplomate” for 5 years.
  • Unsuccessful candidates will receive information on performance and can retake the exam the following year if still in the 3 years of eligibility.

 To maintain certification, an IBERA Diplomate must successfully complete a recertification process every five years, in which it is demonstrated that requirements still are met. 

Each applicant is required to have a total of 40 credits over the 5-year period (approx. 8 credits per year) 

These credits can be earned by activities in the following categories: 

  1. Professional Activity in environmental risk assessment 
  2. Continuing Education