Your route to Associate membership

As demand for environmental skills and knowledge grows, driven by businesses’ increasing recognition that sustainability can reduce costs and create new opportunities, ISEP’s Professional Standards Manager, Chris Weston, has provided details for anyone considering applying for ISEP Associate membership.

Best way forward

“Anyone who is looking to upgrade or apply for Associate level should first consider which route is best for them, based on their level of existing knowledge”.

“There are two application routes to Associate membership, these are designed to meet the needs of our members, whatever their level of knowledge,” explains Weston.

“I would advise that you initially have a look at our Associate membership standard to check your current level of knowledge to see if it already meets the necessary standard, this will help you decide which application route to take… either the self-study route or whether the approved training route may be best for you.”

Two routes to Associate membership

Direct-study route

“If you already have a good level of knowledge of environment and sustainability issues detailed within the Associate membership standard, then the self-study route is the most appropriate route for you,” says Weston.

“This is for individuals who have perhaps undertaken an environmental training programme or have previous experience.

Please note, the Direct-study route assumes you will do your own research and study to ensure you meet the learning outcomes and criteria detailed within the Associate Membership standard document. We do not provide specific revision materials for this route. Although, we have provided practice questions to help you prepare for the exam.”

• Download practice questions for the Associate Exam (Environment version)
• Download practice questions for the Associate Exam (Sustainability version)

The Associate exam is a 30-question, multiple-choice, open-book online exam which will take 1 hour to complete. You can choose whether to take the Environmental or Sustainability version of the exam based on your individual skills and knowledge.

Certified training route

“If you are new to the environmental and sustainability sectors, or you need a refresh, then the Foundation Certificate in Sustainability and Environmental Management course is probably best for you,” says Weston.

This course is delivered by ISEP-approved training providers and consists of a minimum of 40 hours' learning and study. This course provides a great way for you to get a foothold and demonstrate your knowledge of environment and sustainability. Delivered either in a classroom or through e-learning, there is an approach to learning that works for you.

At the end of the course candidates will sit the Associate Exam. It is an online, 30-question multiple choice, open-book exam which will take 1 hour to complete.

On completion

Once you have passed the Associate exam (either direct or via our approved training route) you will receive a certificate confirming your AISEP professional membership and suffix, alongside all the other benefits that come with being a member of a professional body.

Need further guidance?

Contact our Membership and Standards team at info@isepglobal.org or phone +44 (0)1522 540069.