Chartered Ecologist (CEcol)

Chartered Ecologists are active professionals who use their knowledge, experience and influence to promote and advance ecology as an applied discipline. They may work or have worked in local or national government, consultancy, the voluntary sector, statutory agencies, industry or academia but they are united by three common characteristics:

  1. their advice and practice is based on a fundamental understanding of ecology and the critical evaluation of scientific evidence;
  2. they work in accordance with high standards of professional conduct; and
  3. they can communicate complex ecological concepts and ideas confidently and effectively to a wide range of audiences.

As our natural environment faces ever-increasing pressures and threats, there are signs that society increasingly recognises and values the vital life support, provisioning, regulating and cultural services it provides. Chartered Ecologists are at the forefront of work to protect and enhance the natural environment and to safeguard, manage and restore these services for the benefit of nature and society.

Before joining the Register, applicants are rigorously assessed to ensure that they are fully competent and confident practitioners. Registrants are periodically re-assessed to ensure that they have maintained the high level of competence required. Chartered Ecologists are identified by the post-nominal letters ‘CEcol’.

Admission to the Register of Chartered Ecologists is currently open to:

  • Fellows, Full or Associate members of CIEEM;
  • Professional Ecologists not currently members of CIEEM; and
  • Members of other professional bodies, licensed by CIEEM, such that their members can apply to CIEEM to join the Register. Details of licensed professional bodies will be listed below as and when a licence is granted.

Click here for eligibility and fees

Supporting your CEcol application

Your Chartered Ecologist application will be assessed against the Accomplished and/or Authoritative levels of our Competency Framework. The Framework specifies the levels of competence expected of our members at different professional grades and provides a competence-based assessment of membership and Chartered Ecologist eligibility.

There are six stages in the application process for Chartered Ecologist status:

  1. Check you are eligible to apply (see above).
  2. Using the Competency Framework, carry out a self-assessment to satisfy yourself that you can evidence the minimum standard of competence required.
  3. Read the CEcol Guidance for Applicants: Stage 1, decide if you are going to apply as a Generalist or Specialist and request the appropriate application documents using the online form below.
  4. Identify and approach two sponsors who will be able to endorse your written evidence and support you in choosing the best examples to demonstrate your competence.
  5. Prepare and submit the written part of your application (Stage 1).
  6. If successful at Stage 1, prepare for and attend your Professional Review Interview (carried out by video conference).

We encourage all applicants to review the additional supporting documents below:

Applications are accepted at any time throughout the year.

CIEEM’s application assessment process is subject to change.  Please ensure that you are using the up-to-date application form and if in any doubt, please contact membership@cieem.net before submitting your application.

Request an application form below

  • Details on how to work out your route to Full membership (competence/non competence-assessed), can be found in the Guidance for Applicants document.