Three U.S. states created pilot programs: Kentucky, Texas, and Utah. While each Certifying Agent administers its program differently, they have in common a set of "core competencies" for demonstrating proficiency in EE. These core competencies were developed out of NAAEE's Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Educators. Candidates for certification must also understand and agree to uphold high ethical standards in the practice of EE. 

Other states may have certification programs that don’t meet NAAEE’s Core Competencies or Guidelines for Excellence. Some states are in the process of developing EE certification programs that meet NAAEE’s guidelines; those programs will be added to this Web page as they begin taking applications.

The EE Certification Programs as of June 2009

Email addresses are expressed with the word "at" instead of the symbol to reduce junk email.

Colorado http://www.caee.org/quality/certification/

In 2008, the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, an NAAEE Affiliate, began a certification program. Two types of certification make the program applicable to educators who are brand new to the field or have years of experience.  This certification process is a competency-based program where applicants demonstrate what they know and can do through a portfolio. A Certification Peer Review Panel, composed of trained certified educators, reviews each application based on the rubric in the Portfolio Planning Guide. Colorado certified 11 applicants in its pilot program.

Kentucky http://keec.ky.gov/certification.htm

Beginning in 2004, the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (part of the state Education Cabinet) has developed a certification training program around a series of four three-day workshops where they interact on a variety of EE topics. Participants also must pass an environmental literacy test, write several essays involving a series of readings about the history and philosophy of EE, debate a contemporary Kentucky environmental issue, create a detailed instructional unit tailored to their own individual program or situation,and conduct an independent study. . Kentucky had 114 graduates of its program by December 2008. For more information, call 800-882-5271 or email jane.eller at ky.gov (a certified environmental educator from Kentucky's first class in 2004).

Maryland http://maeoe.org/eecertification/

MAEOE has developed a competency-based certification program, where the applicant will demonstrate what they know and can do. The competencies selected as critical to a professional environmental educator are modified from the North American Association for Environmental Education's Guidelines for the Initial Preparation of Environmental Educators. Applicants \demonstrate these competencies by submitting artifacts, such as lesson plans, video tapes of teaching techniques, etc. Applicants should have at least two years of field experience before applying. Request more information via the Web site at http://maeoe.org/eecertification/request_info.php

Nevada http://www.enviroedexchange.org/certification/index.htm

This comprehensive state program in Environmental Education & Interpretation (EE&I) is offered for educators and others working in nature centers, museums, zoos, aquaria, schools, and other nature-and heritage-rich places. The workshop format of these courses will emphasize student-centered learning experiences. Prior to registering for the courses, the participant will need to complete a separate admissions process. To become certified, NEEI participants will complete four courses. At the end of the coursework, participants will complete a supervised internship. Upon the achievement of coursework and the internship, the participant will be awarded a Nevada State Certificate in Environmental Education & Interpretation. For more information, contact UNLV Public Lands Institute, 702-895-5147 or 702-895-5097, or Allyson Butler at allyson.butler at unlv.edu

Texas http://www.texaseepartners.org/

The nonprofit Texas Environmental Education Partnership is an umbrella organization for many of the Texas EE organizations. TEEP's certification program requires candidates to demonstrate what they know and can do in a variety of ways. Applicants provide a resume and letters of reference, document their professional development experiences, describe their mentoring relationships, take an "open book" environmental literacy test, complete a competencies worksheet, create a computer-generated product to demonstrate technology proficiency, create a program outline or lesson plan, and model excellence in EE during a video-taped presentation. After developing the program over several years, TEEP awarded its first five professional EE certifications in 2006, including one to Brenda Weiser, chair of NAAEE's Certification Advisory Council. For more information, contact Pat Marks at pmarks at houstonarboretum.org (a certified environmental educator in Texas).

Utah http://www.usee.org/capacity/certification.html
The Utah Society for Environmental Education, an Affiliate of NAAEE, developed that state's EE certification program. To begin the certification program, educators must meet certain minimum requirements. Once admitted, each candidate works with a certified mentor to demonstrate that he or she has the experience, knowledge, and skills required for certification. Candidates for certification must also understand and agree to uphold high ethical standards in the practice of EE. Contact Staci Strenkert at (801) 328-1549 or staci at usee.org