CPSS - Soil | S

Certified ProfessionalSoil Scientist

CPSS

Certified Professional Soil ScientistApplication

In order to qualify for certification, one of the two points below must be met (for full CPSS certification, not APSS):

1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Soil Science or closely related Agricultural, Earth, orEnvironmental Science (e.g., a named option in Soil Science, minor in Soil Science) and 5 years of work experience.

Or2. Hold a MS or PhD degree in Soil Science or closely related Agricultural, Earth, orEnvironmental Science (e.g., a named option in Soil Science, minor in Soil Science) and 3 years of work experience.

If you are applying for the APSS, you must meet the education requirements above and be working toward the work experience requirement.

Note: Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without review.

As of February 1, 2012, all new applications received must be on the new application and meet the new requirements.

2

Application for Professional Certification5585 Guilford Road • Madison, WI 53711-5801 • (608) 268-4955 • FAX (608) 273-2081 • www.soils.org/certifications

Have you ever been charged, indicated or convicted of a felony, misdemeanor,or crime for which circumstances relate to being a soil scientist or soil classifier? ❑ Yes ❑ No If yes, attach an explanation.

5. FEES:

APSS Application Fee $75.00

CPSS Application Fee $125.00FEE ENCLOSED $ ______________________

(Fee is non-refundable)

MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO:SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA(Payment must be in U.S. funds)

2. PERSONAL DATA (Completion of this section is optional. Informa tion re-garding specific individual members will not be released.)

Birthdate ______________________ Race ______________________

Citizenship _____________________ Gender ____________________

3. AREA OF CERTIFICATION APPLYING FOR

❑ Currently certified as __________________________ and applying for: (CCA, CCA-CPAg, APSS, or N/A)

Area of Certification

❑ Certified Professional Soil Scientist, CPSS ❑ Associate Professional Soil Scientist, APSS

4. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED:

a. Completed Core Requirement Form documenting educational background in-cluding: institution, degree(s), major, and minor areas, and course work.

b. An Official Transcript of all academic credits and including verification ofdegree(s).

c. Completed Professional Experience Form. List all professional positions held, professional activities, and membership and offices held in professional andhonorary societies.

d. Completed Core Summary Form.e. Resume.f. Signed and dated Code of Ethicsg. References:

1. For Certified Professional Applications refer to I.B.3.2. For Associate Professional Applications refer to II.C.1.(3).

The following credit cards are accepted:

❑ MasterCard ❑ Visa ❑ Discover ❑ AMX

Card Number

Expiration Date

Cardholder’s Name

Please Print Name


CPSS

1. APPLICANT’S NAME AND ADDRESSPlease print or type:

❑ Dr. ❑ Mr. ❑ Ms.

Last Name/Surname _______________________________________________________________________________________

First Name/Given Name _______________________________________ Middle Name _____________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________________________ County (U.S. only) _______________________________________

City ________________________________________ State/Province ________________ Postal Code________________________ Country ______________________

Office Phone ______________________________ Home Phone ___________________________________ FAX ____________________________________________

Cell Phone _______________________________ Email ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Office Use Only

Certification No.

6. NAME TO BE PRINTED ON CERTIFICATE:

Degree following name: (choose only one)—optional

❑ BS ❑ BA ❑ MS ❑ PhD ❑ Other _________________

Last Name/Surname

First Name/Given Name

Middle Name

8. PLEASE LIST NAME AND ADDRESS OFPRESENT EMPLOYER:

9. DIRECTORY OF CONSULTANTS

A directory of certified individuals is located on the web at:http://www.soils.org/certification/directory/

Would you like to be included?

❑ Yes ❑ No

10. SIGNATURE

I hereby certify that all information submitted in support of this application is correct and true to the best of my knowledge and that all information re-garding this application will remain confidential. I have read and signed the Code of Ethics.

Date Signature of Applicant

3

7. PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE:

Please choose one or more categories in which you can substantiate that you are technically and professionally qualified to practice. Place the category code that you feel the most technically and professionally qualified to prac-tice in the first choice and the next most qualified in the second choice and so on up to four choices.

1. __________ 2. __________ 3. __________ 4. __________

Acid-Sulfate Soils—S2Agricultural Administration—P3Agricultural Climatology—ElAgricultural Development—F2Agro-forestry—X0Agronomic Education—P1Agronomic Management—FlAgronomy (general)—AlBest Management Practices—F4Biometrics—A3Biotechnology—ClCell Biology—C2Computer Assisted Design—B5Computer Modeling—B4Computer Uses—BlConservation Education—P2Conservation Planning, Food Security

Act 1985—F5Comprehensive Nutrient Management—N4Conservation Tillage—D6Crop Breeding—JlCrop Chemistry—K5Crop Cytogenetics—J5Crop Ecology—L1Crop Genetics—J7Crop Marketing—L3Crop Metabolism—KlCrop Physiology—K3Crop Production—L4Crop Protection—L6Crop Quality—O1Crop Science—I1Crop Specialization–Cannery Crops—P4Crop Specialization–Corn—P5Crop Specialization–Cotton—P6Crop Specialization–Grazing—P7Crop Specialization–Rice—P8Crop Specialization–Small Grains—P9Crop Specialization–Soybean—Q2Crop Specialization–Tobacco—Q3Crop Specialization–Tree Fruit—Q4Crop Specialization–Vegetable—Q5Crop Specialization–Wheat—Q6Crop Utilization—O2Cytology—J3Digitized Mapping—B3Edaphology—U3Entomology—L9Environmental Protection—E3Environmental Regulation—E2Ethics—E9Farm Management—F6Farmland Preservation—F3Fertilizer Technology—YlFertilizer Use—Y3Floriculture—H3Floristry—H4Forages—N2Forest Soils—XlGarden Center Management—I7Genetics—J9Greenhouse Production—H2Ground Water Quality—G7Hazardous Waste Management—G2Horticulture (General)—H1Hydric Soils—R4Impact Assessment—E4Information Systems—B2International Agronomy—I4International Horticulture—I6Irrigation—RlIrrigation and Drainage—R2Labor Management—F7Land Classification—V8Land Management—DlLand Resource Analysis—V6

Land Resource Development—V7Land Use—D2Land Use Planning—D5Molecular Cytogenetics—C4Molecular Genetics—C3Nursery Management—I8Nutrient Management—N3Olericulture—H6Organic—O3Ornamental Horticulture—H9Pedology—U6Pest Management—L7Pesticide Use—L8Plant Breeding—J2Plant Chemistry—K6Plant Ecology—L2Plant Cytogenetics—J6Plant Cytology—J4Plant Genetics—J8Plant Metabolism—K2Plant Nutrition—UlPlant Pathology—I5Plant Physiology—K4Plant Propagation—K7Plant Taxonomy—K8Pollution Control—G6Pomology—H5Post-Harvest Physiology—H7Product R&D—W3Range Management—X6Range Soil Science—X3Reclamation—W8Regulatory Admin./Enforcement—E5Regulatory Compliance—E6Resource Conservation—D4Saline Soils—R5Seed Production—MlSeed Technology—M3Small Fruit Culture—I9Soil Biochemistry—TlSoil Chemistry—SlSoil Erosion Sediment Control—W5Soil Fertility—U2Soil Genesis—VlSoil Interpretations—V2Soil Management—W7Soil Microbiology—T2Soil Mineralogy—Z1Soil Morphology/Classification—V3Soil Physics—R3Soil Plant Analysis—U4Soil-Plant Correlation—U7Soil Science—Q1Soil-Water-Plant Relation—U5Soil Resource Inventory—V4Soil Survey—V5Soil and Waste Management—GlSoil and Water Conservation—W1Soil and Water Management—W2Statistical Analysis—B6Streambank Stabilization—W6Surface Mine Reclamation—W4Tissue Culture—C5Tropical Agriculture—I3Tropical Crops—I2Turfgrass Management—NlViticulture—H8Waste Disposal, On-site—G3Waste, Land Treatment/Applic.—G5Waste Management—G4Water Diversion and Control—W9Weed Control—LOWeed Science—L5Wetlands Identification—WOWildlife Management—X2Undefined, Other—Z9

If you have questions on completing this application, please contact Marta McCoy

[email protected] at 608-268-4955

4

I, the undersigned, agree to adhere to the above Code of Ethics.

Signature:_________________________________________________________ Date____________________________

Please Print Name__________________________________________________

Article I. Preamble1. The privilege of professional practice imposes obligations of

responsibility as well as professional knowledge. The Soil ScienceSociety of America (SSSA) certifies the credentials of individu-als through the Soils Certifying Board, which is the national soilscience certification board. Individuals who meet the requirementsfor soil science certification will receive the designation of Cer-tified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS) or Certified ProfessionalSoil Classifier (CPSC). The soil science certification program willonly award the title of CPSS/CPSC to individuals who have met theexamination, education, experience and ethics requirements as setforth by the SSSA Soils Certifying Board.

2. The Soils Certifying Board will award the title of CPSS to indi-viduals who meet the college education, experience, testing re-quirements, ethics and the continuing education requirements ofthe Soils Certifying Board. CPSC was no longer issued after 2011.Existing CPSC still apply.

3. A CPSS/CPSC, at the request of a client or employer, must disclosethe information used to gain certification. CPSS/CPSC who know-ingly misrepresents their credentials will face disciplinary action.

Article II. Relation of Professional to the Public 1 A CPSS/CPSC shall avoid and discourage sensational, exaggerat-

ed, and/or unwarranted statements that might induce participation in unsound enterprises.

2 A CPSS/CPSC shall not give professional opinion or make a rec-ommendation without being as thoroughly informed as might rea-sonably be expected considering the purpose for which the opinion or recommendation is desired, and the degree of completeness of information upon which the opinion is based should be made clear.

3 A CPSS/CPSC shall not issue a false statement or false information even though directed to do so by employer or client.

Article III. Relation of Professional to Employer and Client

1. A CPSS/CPSC shall protect, to the fullest extent possible, theinterest of his/her employer or client insofar as such interest is con-sistent with the law and professional obligations and ethics.

2. A CPSS/CPSC who finds that obligations to their employer or cli-ent conflict with their professional obligation or ethics should workto have such objectionable conditions corrected.

3. A CPSS/CPSC shall not use, directly or indirectly, an employer’s orclient’s information in any way that would violate the confidence ofthe employer or client.

4. CPSS/CPSC retained by one client shall not accept, without theclient’s written consent, an engagement by another if the interestsof the two are in any manner conflicting.

5. A CPSS/CPSC who has made an investigation for any employeror client shall not seek to profit economically from the informa-tion gained, unless written permission to do so is granted or untilit is clear that there can no longer be a conflict of interest with theoriginal employer or client.

6. A CPSS/CPSC shall not divulge information given in confidence.7. A CPSS/CPSC shall engage, or advise employer or client to en-

gage, and cooperate with other experts and specialists.8. A CPSS/CPSC protects the interests of a client by recommending

only products and services that are in the best interest of the clientand public.

9. A CPSS/CPSC protects his/her credibility by disclosing to clientshow he/she will be compensated for providing recommendations tothe client.

Article IV. Relation of Professionals to Each Other 1. A CPSS/CPSC shall not falsely or maliciously attempt to injure the

reputation of another.2. A CPSS/CPSC shall freely give credit for work done by others, to

whom the credit is due, and shall refrain from plagiarism of oraland written communications and shall not knowingly accept creditrightfully due another person.

3. A CPSS/CPSC shall not use the advantage of public employment(i.e., university, government) to compete unfairly with other certi-fied professions.

4. A CPSS/CPSC shall endeavor to cooperate with others in theprofession and encourage the ethical dissemination of technicalknowledge.

Article V. Duty to the Profession 1. A CPSS/CPSC shall aid in exclusion from certification those who

have not followed this Code of Ethics or who do not have the re-quired education and experience.

2. A CPSS/CPSC shall uphold this Code of Ethics by precept andexample and encourage, by counsel and advice, other Registrants to do the same.

3. A CPSS/CPSC having positive knowledge of deviation from thisCode by another Registrant shall bring such deviation to the atten-tion of the Soils Certifying Board.

Soils Certifying Board 8/11

SSSA Soils Certifying Board Code of Ethics


CPSS

5

Soil

Scie

nce

Cor

e R

equi

rem

ents

Thi

s fo

rm d

oes

not s

ubst

itut

e fo

r tr

ansc

ript

s, o

ffici

al tr

ansc

ript

s ar

e re

quir

ed.

Cer

tifie

d Pr

ofes

sion

al S

oil S

cien

tist,

5585

Gui

lfor

d R

oad,

Mad

ison

, WI

5371

1-58

01 •

(60

8) 2

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955

FOR

OFF

ICE

USE

No.

Cer

tifi

ed P

rofe

ssio

nal

Soil

Sci

enti

st

CP

SS

Firs

t Nam

e/G

iven

Nam

e

Las

t Nam

e/Su

rnam

e

Deg

ree

Uni

vers

ity

Maj

or

Min

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ore

Cou

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no.

Dep

t.T

itle

Cre

dit H

ours

Com

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orph

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lass

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Soil

Che

mis

try

&

Min

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ogy

Pro

fess

iona

l Cor

e R

equi

rem

ents

incl

ude:

• >

15

sem

este

r cr

edits

tota

l of

whi

ch >

9 s

emes

ter

cred

its m

ust b

e up

per

divi

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div

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n=Fr

eshm

an a

nd s

opho

mor

e le

vel c

ours

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pper

div

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nior

, sen

ior,

and

grad

uate

leve

l cou

rses

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In th

e co

mpo

nent

col

umn,

put

an

X in

eith

er th

e la

bora

tory

or

field

col

umn

that

bes

t des

crib

es th

e co

urse

• L

abor

ator

y an

d/or

Fie

ld c

ours

ewor

k is

a r

equi

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com

pone

nt in

> 2

of

the

soil

Scie

nce

Cor

e cl

asse

s. E

xam

ples

incl

udin

g so

il ju

dgin

g, u

nder

grad

uate

res

earc

h, la

bora

tory

exe

r-ci

ses,

fiel

d co

urse

s.

• A

min

imum

gra

de p

oint

ave

rage

(G

PA)

of 2

.5 is

req

uire

d in

the

tota

l pro

fess

iona

l cor

e co

urse

requ

irem

ent.

Thi

s do

es n

ot in

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e th

e su

ppor

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core

cou

rses

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In th

e cr

edit

hour

s co

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dica

te if

they

are

sem

este

r or

qua

rter

hou

rs(e

x 3

Sem

or

3 Q

tr).

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ofes

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al C

ore

Cou

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no.

Dep

t.T

itle

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dit H

ours

Com

pone

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rade

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Fer

tilit

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Nut

rien

t M

anag

emen

t

Soil

Phy

sics

Soil

Bio

logy

&So

il E

colo

gy

Soils

& L

and

Use

M

anag

emen

t

(For

est S

oils

, So

il C

onse

rvat

ion,

Ero

sion

&

Sedi

men

t Con

trol

,E

nvir

onm

enta

l Soi

l Sci

ence

, W

etla

nd S

oils

, Urb

an S

oils

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Las

t Nam

e/Su

rnam

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____

____

____

____

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7

II.Su

ppor

ting

Core

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no.

Dep

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dit H

ours

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deU

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Use

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iv.

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er D

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icul

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ence

(Agr

onom

y, C

rop

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nce,

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grof

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ortic

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Prec

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you

are

sho

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our

appl

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be

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unl

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you

prov

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a w

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plan

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ours

es/e

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ful

fill t

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8

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Core

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no.

Dep

t.T

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Cre

dit H

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deU

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SSSA

Use

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logy

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s, &

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an H

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and

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licy,

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men

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thic

s &

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loso

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iron

men

tal

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lity,

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d U

se

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ning

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oxic

olog

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te M

anag

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ZW

OPE

R)

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nolo

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ngin

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gric

ultu

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ngin

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engi

neer

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il,

Con

stru

ctio

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Geo

tech

nica

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ngin

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iron

men

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ngin

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Irri

gatio

n Te

chno

logy

, C

ompu

ter

Aid

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raft

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er S

cien

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(Hyd

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ydro

geol

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L

imno

logy

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esou

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ados

e Z

one,

Wet

land

Sc

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e)

Las

t Nam

e/Su

rnam

e___

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

__

9

EX

AM

PL

E

Prof

essi

onal

Wor

k E

xper

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e Fo

rmSO

IL S

CIE

NC

E C

ER

TIF

ICA

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N

INST

RU

CT

ION

S1.

Lis

t ful

l-tim

e po

sitio

ns in

seq

uent

ial o

rder

, end

ing

with

cur

rent

pos

ition

.2.

Lis

t on

ly p

rofe

ssio

nal-

leve

l po

sitio

ns i

n th

e ar

ea o

f so

il sc

ienc

e be

yond

the

bac

cala

ure a

te d

egre

e.W

ork

expe

rien

ce w

hile

obt

aini

ng a

n ad

vanc

ed d

egre

e sh

ould

not

be

incl

uded

.3.

Lis

t beg

inni

ng a

nd e

ndin

g m

onth

and

yea

r fo

r al

l pos

ition

s.4.

If y

ou h

ave

wor

ked

in tw

o po

sitio

ns c

oncu

rren

tly, i

ndic

ate

unde

r the

per

cent

tim

e ca

tego

ry th

e ye

arly

perc

enta

ge ti

me

you

wor

ked

in e

ach

posi

tion.

5. Sh

ow th

e pe

rcen

t tim

e on

an

annu

al b

asis

for

eac

h w

ork

activ

ity (

shou

ld to

tal 1

00%

).6.

Und

er r

efer

ence

, lis

t the

ref

eren

ce(s

) m

ost f

amili

ar w

ith e

ach

wor

k ex

peri

ence

.7.

Dut

ies

and

resp

onsi

bilit

ies

shou

ld b

e sp

ecif

ic a

nd d

etai

led.

8. B

e su

re to

tota

l mon

ths

of e

xper

ienc

e. R

emem

ber

wor

k ex

peri

ence

gai

ned

whi

le s

eeki

ng a

deg

ree

does

not

cou

nt t

owar

d th

e C

PSS

/SC

wor

k ex

peri

ence

req

uire

men

t.9.

Cop

y/pr

int a

dditi

onal

pag

es if

nee

ded.

EX

AM

PL

E

Em

ploy

men

t Inf

orm

atio

n

Len

gth

Deg

ree

Em

ploy

er

Pro

fess

iona

l %

%

Tim

e/F

rom

To

Lev

el

Nam

e, L

ocat

ion

Tit

le

Tim

e D

utie

s an

d R

espo

nsib

iliti

es

Act

ivit

y R

efer

ence

9/88

–9/9

0 B

S D

avis

Eng

inee

ring

So

il Sc

ient

ist

100

Del

inea

te h

ydri

c so

ils o

n po

tent

ial h

ighw

ay

Polly

Ped

onC

ulpe

per,

VA

r

ight

of

way

s 50

Jo

hn M

udd

Des

crib

e so

ils o

n ar

chae

olog

y si

tes

to m

eet

Dav

id A

uger

env

iron

men

tal i

mpa

ct r

equi

rem

ents

5

Will

iam

Pro

file

Man

age

equi

pmen

t for

site

inve

stig

atio

ns

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12

5585 Guilford Road • Madison, WI 53711-5801 • 608-268-4955 • FAX 608-273-2081

Certification Programs

Certified Professional Soil Scientist sponsored by the Soil Science Society of America

www.soils.org/certifications

From: ___________________________________ To: ___________________________________ Applicant’s Name Reference’s Name

____________________________________ ___________________________________ Applicant’s Address Reference’s Address

____________________________________ ___________________________________

____________________________________ ___________________________________

____________________________________ ___________________________________ Applicant’s phone number Reference’s Phone Number

AREA OF CERTIFICATION APPLYING FOR:

❑ Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS)

❑ Associate Professional Soil Scientist (APSS)

Note to Applicant: Please complete the above information and give this form to the reference. The reference needs to complete the questions on the reverse side and forward to the SSSA Offices (see below).

Note to Reference: The above-named individual is applying for certification and has requested that you act as a reference. An applicant must provide at least five references (including at least one that is a CPSS or CPAg, a licensed soil scientist, or a faculty member familiar with the applicants work experience in soil science, as refer-enced in I.B.3 of the CPSS Policy Document), and others who are familiar with her/his experience. By completing this form you will be acting as a reference for the applicant named above.

Please answer the questions on the back of this form, and include any additional comments that you feel may be helpful. This form will be reviewed by the Certifying Board to ensure that the applicant has the necessary educa-tion and experience to be certified.

Prospective applicants must meet rigorous educational, experience, and ethical standards. They must have a mini-mum of a Bachelor's level degree, meet certain course requirements, and adhere to the code of ethics. No experi-ence is required for Associate Professional (AP) status.

Because we want to certify only individuals who meet the professional standards, we solicit your confidential and frank opinion of this applicant.

Experience: Applicants for Certified Professional status (no experience is needed for Associate Professional status) must have at least five years of professional experience beyond the baccalaureate degree in each area of certification. An advanced degree will substitute for two years professional experience; for example three years of professional experience at both the MS and/or PhD level.

Reference Request


CPSS

Check if reference is:

❑ CPSS ❑ CPAg

❑ Licensed Soil Scientist (State)________________________

❑ Soil Science Faculty

Please sign and return this form (2 pages) directly to: Marta McCoy at [email protected] or mail to SSSA Certification Department, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711-5801 or fax to 608-273-2081

*Reference letters sent to the applicant will not be considered.

13

Please respond to the following items and include any pertinent information that you feel will aid in the evaluation of the applicant’s credentials.

1. In what capacity have you had association with the applicant(family members/relatives not valid references)?I am (was) the applicant’s:_____ Supervisor _____ Subordinate _____ Academic Advisor_____ Colleague _____ Classmate _____ Client_____ Other as: ______________________

2. What length of time have you known the applicant in the above capacity? _________________ years

3. For what period of time are you familiar with the applicant’s professional work experience?From _________________ to ________________

month/year month/year

4. Knowing the minimum requirements for certification, do you feel qualified to recommend this applicant to become certifiedin the area of certification as stated on the reverse side? ________ Yes ________ NoIf “yes”, please proceed and complete the reference.If “no”, please give a brief statement in # 7 below of your reason(s); sign and return this letter immediately.

5. What particular strengths do you feel the applicant has that may be important in the evaluation of a professional?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Do you feel that the applicant is fully qualified at this time for the certification listed? ________ Yes ________ NoIf no, how could the applicant overcome any weaknesses or deficiencies?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Please comment on the applicant’s professional growth and development, ability to analyze and solve problems, resourceful-ness, professionalism, and knowledge in the area of application. Also, please make any additional comments which will aid inmaking a fair evaluation of this applicant.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Do you recommend this applicant to be certified in the area of certification as stated on the reverse side? ____ Yes ____ No

Your response will remain confidential.Print Name _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature ________________________________________________ Professional Title ________________________________

Employer _________________________________________ Location ______________________________________________

Date _________________ Licensed or Certified as _________________________ Telephone ___________________________

Email _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please sign and return this form (2 pages) directly to: Marta McCoy at [email protected] mail to SSSA Certification Department, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711-5801 or fax to 608-273-2081


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Reference Request


CPSS


❑ CPSS ❑ CPAg



Please sign and return this form (2 pages) directly to: Marta McCoy [email protected] or mail to SSSA Certification Department, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711-5801 or fax to 608-273-2081


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Documents

CPSS - Soil | S