Are you working at the operational level and pursuing a career in environmental management and sustainability? Do you want to advance your career and demonstrate your competence? If that sounds like you, you might be interested in becoming an ISEP Practitioner Member (PISEP).
Practitioner membership is the benchmark for environmental professionals who drive change and deliver on sustainability goals across their organisations, projects, products, and services.
In this blog post, we explain:
- All about PISEP membership and what it means for you
- The benefits of achieving PISEP membership
- How you can achieve ISEP Practitioner membership
- The two routes to practitioner are the certified course route or the experience route
- The requirements for taking and passing the ISEP Certificate in Environmental Management qualification.
What is ISEP Practitioner Membership?
The membership is a globally recognised professional status that recognises your knowledge and experience as an environmental and sustainability practitioner.
Show up on LinkedIn with PISEP alongside your name, and you’ll boost your career prospects by highlighting your knowledge and experience.
What are the benefits of being a PISEP member?
As a PISEP, you will be recognised as a competent and credible professional who can apply your environmental and sustainability knowledge and skills in the workplace.
You will also have access to a range of benefits, including but not limited to:
- Use of the widely recognised PISEP badge and suffix next to your name
- A subscription to TRANSFORM magazine, which covers the latest news, insights and best practices on environment and sustainability
- Exclusive discounts on training courses, events, webinars and publications
- Networking opportunities with other PISEPs and experts across sectors and regions
- New opportunities to learn and progress in your career
- Continuing professional development (CPD) support to help you maintain your competence, improve your ability, and keep up to date with emerging trends
- The opportunity to apply for the Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) designation, which is a new title that recognises your level of professional practice within the environmental sector
How can you achieve Practitioner membership with ISEP?
You can take two routes: the certified course route or the direct study route.
#1. The Certified Course Route to PISEP
The certified qualification route involves completing the ISEP Certificate in Environmental Management course, which covers the 13 learning outcomes in the Practitioner standard.
Take the ISEP Certificate in Environmental Management Qualification
The ISEP Certificate in Environmental Management qualification is designed for professionals seeking a comprehensive understanding of environmental principles, sustainability issues, and how these relate to their roles.
The course covers topics such as:
- The global trends and environmental challenges facing society today
- Environmental principles, policy and legislation
- The principles of environmental law at local, national, regional, and international levels
- The methods and management tools used to assess environmental impacts and opportunities at different scales (including impact assessments)
- The frameworks and standards used to implement effective environmental management systems within organisations
- The strategies and techniques used to promote sustainable business practices across supply chains, products, services, projects, and operations
To take this course, you will need a foundational level of environmental and sustainability knowledge and relevant work experience.
The certificate course will require you to write three knowledge-based assignments to assess your understanding and experience in key areas.
After you complete the written assignments, you’ll be ready to submit your ‘Practitioner Member Assessment Form’. Your training provider will inform ISEP, who will contact you with all the information you need to proceed.
How to take the ISEP Certificate in Environmental Management
How to take the ISEP Certificate in Environmental ManagementYour environmental management qualification can be taken in a classroom, virtually (live online), or e-learning, and studied at your own pace.
Most learners choose the virtual training because it offers the flexibility to study from home or in their own organisations, while providing access to an expert tutor and a peer group to network with and share ideas with.
*Cost of the course study Route*
The average price of the ISEP Certificate in Environmental Management qualification is £2995 + VAT, but prices may vary depending on the ISEP training provider you choose.
Most providers include your membership fee in the course cost, though some may charge an additional fee (something to look out for).
Your annual renewal fee after that will be £202.
The Certified Fast Track Route
Have you completed the relevant qualification or an ISEP-approved degree within the last three years?
If so, congratulations, you are eligible to fast-track your application. You can skip the exam and hop straight into the written competence assessment.
Applying for the Certified Fast Track
To apply for fast-track, you must select this option during your application and upload a valid copy of your certificates.
*Certified Fast Track Cost*
To apply through the certified fast-track route, you must pay an application fee of £332, which covers your initial application and your first year as a member.
The annual renewal fee after that is £202.
#2. The Direct Study Route to PISEP
The direct route suits those with sufficient environmental and sustainability experience, knowledge and understanding to satisfy the Practitioner standard.
That’s right; if you can provide sufficient evidence, you can avoid taking the training.
If that sounds like evidence you can provide, you will need to register directly with ISEP.
With this route, you will need to complete the following:
- An online examination
- A written assessment of competence.
The PISEP Examination
The online examination is a one-hour multiple-choice affair. It will assess whether you have the required knowledge for Practitioner membership.
*For more info on the expected knowledge levels, download the Practitioner membership standard to see an outline of the learning outcomes and content required at this level.
There are two versions of the examination you can choose from when you apply:
- The environment version is assessed on the environment-related learning outcomes in the standard.
- The sustainability version is assessed against environmental and socio-economic learning outcomes.
You can choose the version you prefer when you apply.
The PISEP Written Assessment of Competence
This is your opportunity to document evidence of how you implement your understanding of environmental and sustainability in the workplace. You can explain how you are working to meet the requirements of the Practitioner standard.
In the ISEP-supplied template, you will need to provide four case studies that illustrate how, in the last 18 months, you have:
- Demonstrated consistent, effective performance within your organisation
- Utilised your mastery and expertise in accordance with ISEP’s Code of Professional Conduct
- Learned from your experience and committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Getting Your Application Verified
Once you’ve completed your form, you must identify someone to verify your version of events and the part you played in the examples you provide. Your chosen verifier must complete the form and return it to ISEP.
*Direct Route Cost*
To apply through the direct route, you will need to pay an application fee of £332, which covers your initial application and your first year as a member.
The annual subscription renewal fee thereafter is £202.
How to Apply Through the Direct STUDY Route
To apply for the direct route, you will need to register online and select the month in which you’d like to sit the examination element. Following this, you will have 6 months to submit your ‘Practitioner Assessment Form’.
Our Practitioner Assessors will review your assessment, and once they are happy that you meet the Practitioner Standard, you’ll be able to use the PISEP suffix.
Preparing for Your PISEP Examination and Written Account
There are various resources and support provided by ISEP, such as:
- The Practitioner membership standard outlines the learning outcomes, assessment criteria and prescribed content for each competency.
- Practice questions give you an idea of what to expect from the online exams. There is an Environmental version and a sustainability version.
- The Practitioner assessment guidance document includes example case studies and advice for completing your written assessment.
By completing these steps, you can earn PISEP status and join a community of professionals driving positive change for business and society.
You can also apply for a Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) designation to enhance your credibility and recognition in the environmental sector.
How to Apply for ISEP Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP)
Aligned with ISEP’s Practitioner level, the Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) designation recognises the professional practice of environmental practitioners.
Across academia, government, industry, consulting, and other public and private sectors, it represents a standard of environmental expertise, practice, and skills.
If you are already a Practitioner, you can apply for Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP). When you apply for PISEP or upgrade from another level, you can apply for REnvP at the same time.
What are the other ISEP member types?
There are several ISEP memberships you can apply for, depending on your experience and role. See the table below for an overview of each:
| ISEP Membership Type | Suffix | Who is it for? | Ways to Achieve Membership | Application and Year 1 Fees | Annual Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate (Entry) | GradISEP | University graduates | Proof of graduation from an approved relevant degree or programme | £51.15 | From £102.30 |
| Associate (Entry) | AISEP | Professional people looking to make a bigger impact | Online exam or an IEMA accredited course | £263 | £166 |
| Practitioner (Operational) | PISEP | Operational professionals | Online professional assessment - Experience or Qualification Required | £332 | £202 |
| Full (Managerial) | MISEP | Experienced environment & sustainability professionals | Online Application, Written Submission and Online Interview | £537 | £220 |
| Fellow (Leadership) | FISEP | Proven, visionary leaders in business and across the sustainability profession | Case Study Submission and Peer Review | £569 | £252 |
