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

  • 30 June: Submit application and pay application fee (deadline extension)

  • 15 July: Verification of professional experience by supervisor/client

  • 30 July: Decision regarding eligibility

  • 31 August: Pay examination fee

  • 30 September: Submission deadline for recertification documents

  • 30 September – 11 October: Take exam

  • 31 December: Notification of exam results

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:

  • Submit an application
    Applicants must complete the online application. Applications are only accepted online via the application portal.
    After submitting your application, you will be contacted to pay the applicable fee. Reviewing of applications starts once payment has been received.
    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.
  • Applicants receive feedback regarding the eligibility
    A confirmed eligibility is valid for 3 years.

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 by the applicable deadline to schedule the exam.

  • Take the exam

Go to the Assessment Systems Proctor live remote proctoring homepage and take the exam anytime during the exam window. Candidates have four hours to complete the exam and should allow an additional 15–45 minutes before the exam for proctor setup. If candidates need extra time, they must request it at the time of their exam eligibility application. The exam contains 135 multiple-choice questions (100 graded and 35 beta questions) with a single correct answer. An applicant may take the exam in any of the three years of eligibility.

  • Candidates of the exams will receive notification of the exam results prior to end of the year.
  • 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. 

To start your application for eligibility or recertification, you will be asked to log in to your account on setac.org.
If you do not have a SETAC account yet, join SETAC with a free membership.