A professional wildlife biologist is a person with demonstrated expertise in the art and science of
applying the principles of ecology to the sound stewardship and management of the wildlife resource
and its environment. An applicant for professional certification who demonstrates this expertise
through education and experience and is judged to be able to represent the profession as an ethical
practitioner will be designated as a Certified Wildlife Biologist.
Present-day professional wildlife biologists have developed from many disciplines. Strict
application of precisely defined certification criteria would be detrimental to the continued
development of the profession these biologists have built. The requirements for certification are
intended to be a means of demonstrating the special expertise required to practice as a
professional wildlife biologist. If an applicant does not meet the "specified" minimum
requirements, a Certification Review Board (CRB), composed of highly qualified wildlife biologists,
must determine whether the education, experience, and professional contributions of the applicant
satisfy the intent of the established minimum requirements.
The program for certification of wildlife biologists is a service provided by The Wildlife Society
for its members, as well as nonmembers and the public, who may desire a peer evaluation statement.
Certification constitutes recognition by The Wildlife Society that, to its best knowledge, an
applicant meets the minimum educational, experience, and ethical standards adopted by the Society
for professional wildlife biologists. Certification does not constitute a guarantee that the
applicant meets a certain standard of competence or possesses certain knowledge.
The Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society is committed to professional development and
certification, and encourages all wildlife biologists to avail themselves of these programs. Please
visit the TWS website, and check out
the Certification and
Professional
Development pages. You can also search the
directory if you need to find a certified biologist.
Please note that you can earn 1 Contact Hour for each hour of actual contact, and 1 Contact Hour for
every 3 hours of field sessions at the Texas Chapter annual meeting.
Copyright © Texas Chapter,
The Wildlife Society. All rights reserved.
Professional Certification
The Wildlife Society, a nonprofit, scientific and educational organization devoted to stewardship
and enlightened appreciation of wildlife and its environments, is committed to the premise that
these objectives can be achieved best with the guidance of well-educated, experienced, and
dedicated wildlife biologists. The Wildlife Society has sought to promote and strengthen
professional standards in all activities devoted to wildlife resources. To this end, the Society
has developed a professional certification program designed to evaluate the education and
professional experience of wildlife biologists.