Benefits and Process of Benefits and Process of Obtaining CPSS/C Obtaining CPSS/C

Designation Designation

Frank Gibbs – CPSS/CFrank Gibbs – CPSS/CResource Soil Scientist-NRCSResource Soil Scientist-NRCS

Matt Deaton - CPSSMatt Deaton - CPSSWestern Ohio Soil Information ManagerWestern Ohio Soil Information Manager

ObjectivesObjectives

1.1. Benefits of designation as a Certified Benefits of designation as a Certified Professional Soil ScientistProfessional Soil Scientist

2.2. Process of becoming CertifiedProcess of becoming Certified

BackgroundBackground

Not a licensing program, but a Not a licensing program, but a voluntary program. voluntary program.

The certification program sets the The certification program sets the minimum standards of skills, minimum standards of skills, knowledge and conduct.knowledge and conduct.

If your education, experience or If your education, experience or career is involved with soil science I career is involved with soil science I strongly encourage you to consider strongly encourage you to consider obtaining certification.obtaining certification.

Ohio CPSS/C Certification Board

The state based certification program was developed to give state agencies, with rules tied specifically to soil science, the ability to have input in the certification of individuals performing work directly related to their programs.

Ohio CPSS/C Certification Board

Established in January 2008 Seven member board

At least 3 members need to be CPSS or CPSC

At least two members needs to be from the state agency that impacts soils related issues, e.g., on-site waste systems, nutrient management, water quality, licensing, sanitary.

BenefitsBenefits

You get to work closely with You get to work closely with soil.soil.

You will be able to:You will be able to: Work with biosolid applicationWork with biosolid application Determine soil capacity for Determine soil capacity for

wastewater disposalwastewater disposal Full gambit of Full gambit of

agricultural/environmental agricultural/environmental applications (e.g. remediation)applications (e.g. remediation)

Benefits (con’t)Benefits (con’t)

Networking, you’ll expand your Networking, you’ll expand your professional network (your network is professional network (your network is your net worth)your net worth)

Career opportunities open up at private-Career opportunities open up at private-sector consulting, government, etc.sector consulting, government, etc.

Self-employment as a private Self-employment as a private consultant (not just for household septic consultant (not just for household septic systems)systems)

ProcessProcess

Well, I hope you are excited about the Well, I hope you are excited about the opportunities!opportunities!

Let’s discuss the processLet’s discuss the process There are three main areas to addressThere are three main areas to address

Education Requirements (B.S. is minimum)Education Requirements (B.S. is minimum) Experience RequirementsExperience Requirements Demonstrate Knowledge (exam)Demonstrate Knowledge (exam)

Education Requirements Education Requirements

I concede that obtaining the education I concede that obtaining the education requirements is likely the #1 issue holding requirements is likely the #1 issue holding most people from jumping into this certificationmost people from jumping into this certification

The education requirements are stringent, but The education requirements are stringent, but necessary.necessary.

I liken this certification to that of a PE or PG. I liken this certification to that of a PE or PG. Educ. requirements important, because Educ. requirements important, because youyou

will be considered a soil expert once certified.will be considered a soil expert once certified.

Education Requirements Education Requirements (con’t)(con’t)

There are two sections: “Professional Core” and There are two sections: “Professional Core” and “Supporting Core”“Supporting Core”

I’ll discuss the Supporting Core first, since you likely I’ll discuss the Supporting Core first, since you likely have taken some of these courseshave taken some of these courses

Supporting CoreSupporting Core Math, chemistry, physics, stats, communication, econ, Math, chemistry, physics, stats, communication, econ,

engineeringengineering A few of these are basic classes (comm, math, econ) that A few of these are basic classes (comm, math, econ) that

many college grads havemany college grads have Generally need 3.0 semester hours or 5.0 quarter hours in Generally need 3.0 semester hours or 5.0 quarter hours in

each of these courseseach of these courses Don’t trust your memory! Look at your official university Don’t trust your memory! Look at your official university

transcript (required documentation). You may have taken transcript (required documentation). You may have taken more of these than you thought.more of these than you thought.

Education Requirements Education Requirements (con’t)(con’t)

““Professional core” – unless you were an Professional core” – unless you were an agronomy or soil science major you are agronomy or soil science major you are severely lacking here.severely lacking here.

BUT DON’T BE DISCOURAGED!!!!BUT DON’T BE DISCOURAGED!!!! MustMust have 15.0 semester hours of soil science have 15.0 semester hours of soil science

(23.0 quarter hours)(23.0 quarter hours) MustMust have 6.0 semester hours of botany and soil have 6.0 semester hours of botany and soil

biology (9.0 quarter hours)biology (9.0 quarter hours) Includes agronomy, horticulture science, forestry, Includes agronomy, horticulture science, forestry,

microbiology, biology, plant physiologymicrobiology, biology, plant physiology These can be BASIC 100- or 200-level courses. Does not These can be BASIC 100- or 200-level courses. Does not

have to be high level or graduate courses!!!!!have to be high level or graduate courses!!!!!

Education Requirements Education Requirements (con’t)(con’t)

Where to go to get these classesWhere to go to get these classes The certification requirement is loose The certification requirement is loose

on where you can obtain your class on where you can obtain your class work “…any major U.S. or Canadian work “…any major U.S. or Canadian institution…”institution…”

Where there is a will, there is a way -Where there is a will, there is a way ->>

NC State University DE. NC State University DE.

Over 20 semester hours of online Over 20 semester hours of online courses available through this courses available through this program. program. Must have a BS degree from an Must have a BS degree from an

accredited University. accredited University. Must be admitted to DE MS Soil Science Must be admitted to DE MS Soil Science

graduate program. graduate program. Some prerequistites required for coursesSome prerequistites required for courses

Again, where there’s a will…Again, where there’s a will…

ISU online M.S. agronomy courseISU online M.S. agronomy course 15 semester hours of SOIL SCIENCE! (with 15 semester hours of SOIL SCIENCE! (with

prereq’s)prereq’s) 10 semester hours of botany/soil biology10 semester hours of botany/soil biology Cost: DOES NOT CHARGE OUT OF STATE Cost: DOES NOT CHARGE OUT OF STATE

TUITIONTUITION Don’t have to quit your job – all online and Don’t have to quit your job – all online and

flexibleflexible You’ll need to pick up only a few prereq’s in You’ll need to pick up only a few prereq’s in

intro soil science (very basic)intro soil science (very basic)

Don’t overlook other Don’t overlook other institutions!institutions!

There is no reason you cannot pick up There is no reason you cannot pick up the ‘Supporting Core’ courses the ‘Supporting Core’ courses (remember, these are basic classes that (remember, these are basic classes that deal with math, physics, econ, etc) at a deal with math, physics, econ, etc) at a local accredited community college or local accredited community college or outreach of a major institution.outreach of a major institution.

Even a few of your “Professional Core” Even a few of your “Professional Core” classes may be picked up at a local classes may be picked up at a local community college.community college.

Experience RequirementsExperience Requirements

Experience: 5 yrs with B.S. degree; 3 Experience: 5 yrs with B.S. degree; 3 yrs with M.S. yrs with M.S.

Experience Requirements –Experience Requirements –(cont.)(cont.)

Experience Requirements –Experience Requirements –(cont.)(cont.)

Experience isn’t always an easy Experience isn’t always an easy requirement to meet. requirement to meet.

Mentoring programs should be Mentoring programs should be utilized when necessary. utilized when necessary. Make sure you work with a CPSS (or 2) Make sure you work with a CPSS (or 2)

that will be able to validate your time, that will be able to validate your time, and your abilities.and your abilities.

Knowledge RequirementsKnowledge Requirements

Must pass both the Fundamentals and Must pass both the Fundamentals and Professional Practices Soil Science Professional Practices Soil Science Examinations. Examinations. Must pass the fundamentals exam prior to Must pass the fundamentals exam prior to

taking the professional practices exam. taking the professional practices exam. Exams offered in March and October of each Exams offered in March and October of each

year with registration being required. (typically year with registration being required. (typically offered at land grant university of each state). offered at land grant university of each state).

Cannot take both exams the same day. Cannot take both exams the same day.

Reference RequirementsReference Requirements

Must submit 5 references that are familiar Must submit 5 references that are familiar with your professional experience.with your professional experience. References must be familiar with work experience

used to meet certification requirements and knowledgeable of agronomy, crops, and soils.

At least one individual must be associated with your employment; an immediate supervisor, client, or coworker.

At least one individual should hold the designation of a CPSS that is not related to you.

Ethics RequirementEthics Requirement

Sign and subscribe to the Code of Sign and subscribe to the Code of Ethics as prescribed by SSSA. Ethics as prescribed by SSSA.

ConclusionConclusion

In summary, certification programs set In summary, certification programs set standards, measure applicants against those standards, measure applicants against those standards, and are responsible for standards, and are responsible for investigating individuals that practice outside investigating individuals that practice outside of the program's code of ethics. The purpose of the program's code of ethics. The purpose of all these steps is to protect the public. By of all these steps is to protect the public. By protecting the public welfare, a profession protecting the public welfare, a profession earns trust and respect which are the most earns trust and respect which are the most important elements in securing a important elements in securing a professionals future. professionals future.

Contact InformationContact Information

Matt Deaton – ODNRMatt Deaton – ODNR matt.deaton@dnr.state.oh.us

Frank Gibbs – NRCSFrank Gibbs – NRCS frank.gibbs@oh.usda.gov