My Profile
There are four LAB Grade levels and a typical career ladder:
- Grade 1 Entry Level
- Grade 2 Analyst
- Grade 3 Supervisor
- Grade 4 Manager
Grade levels go from entry level (Grade 1) to the management level (Grade 4). Grade levels 2, 3, and 4 require a combination of experience and/or education in the vocation to qualify for the test. Since Grade 1 is an entry level test, there are no qualifications and anybody can take the test. However, Grade 1 is designed for a person with about 1 year of experience in the vocation.
| GRADE 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| QUALIFYING COMBINATION (PATHWAY) | EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION | EXPERIENCE |
| NONE | NONE | |
| GRADE 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| QUALIFYING COMBINATION | EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION | EXPERIENCE |
| A | NONE | 4 full-time years in vocation |
| B | Hold Grade 1 certificate in vocation for 1 year | 2 full-time years in vocation |
| C | Associate, or higher, degree in a related field | 2 full-time years in vocation |
| D | Bachelor’s, or higher, degree in a related field | 1 full-time year in vocation |
| GRADE 3 | ||
|---|---|---|
| QUALIFYING COMBINATION | EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION | EXPERIENCE |
| A | NONE | 6 full-time years in vocation |
| B | Hold Grade 2 certificate in vocation for 2 years | 4 full-time years in vocation |
| C | Associate, or higher, degree in a related field | 4 full-time years in vocation |
| D | Bachelor’s, or higher, degree in a related field | 3 full-time years in vocation |
| GRADE 4 | ||
|---|---|---|
| QUALIFYING COMBINATION | EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION | EXPERIENCE |
| A | NONE | 8 full-time years in vocation with 1 year supervising others |
| B | Hold Grade 3 certificate in vocation for 2 years | 6 full-time years in vocation with 1 year supervising others |
| C | Associate, or higher, degree in a related field | 6 full-time years in vocation with 1 year supervising others |
| D | Bachelor’s, or higher, degree in a related field | 5 full-time years in vocation with 1 year supervising others |
Grade levels go from entry level (Grade 1) to the management level (Grade 4). Grade levels 2, 3, and 4 require a combination of experience and/or education in the vocation to qualify for the test. Since Grade 1 is an entry level test, there are no qualifications and anybody can take the test. However, Grade 1 is designed for a person with about 1 year of experience in the vocation.
| Grade 1 |
|
| Grade 2 |
|
| Grade 3 |
– bachelor’s degree in a related field |
| Grade 4 |
– bachelor’s degree in a related field
|
*Laboratory Analyst experience in the wastewater or water treatment industry are both considered acceptable forms of experience.
*Related laboratory experience from Environmental Laboratories or TNI-accredited laboratories may count for up to 100% of experience. Related experience from non-Environmental laboratories may count for up to 50% of experience.
*For Acceptable Degrees for LAB Certification Application, click here.
Bachelor’s Degrees
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Environmental Science (with laboratory coursework)
- Agriculture
- Microbiology
- Zoology
- Biotechnology
- Biochemistry
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering (with laboratory coursework)
- Oceanography
- Marine Biology
- Forensic Science
- Geology
- Hydrology
- Environmental Toxicology
Associate Degrees
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Microbiology
- Forensic Science
- Water / Wastewater (with laboratory coursework)
*Related degrees that are not listed may be submitted for consideration.
To request a summary of certification activities, including pass rate information and number of certification holders, please click below to submit a request.
CANDIDATE MATERIALS
This handbook contains everything you need to know to become LAB certified, including exam content, policies and procedures. Grades 1-4.
This handbook contains everything you need to know to become LAB certified, including exam content, policies and procedures. Grades 1-4.
LAB Gap Analysis Tool
The Gap Analysis Tool is designed to help candidates identify which grade level is best suited to their current level of experience, and where they may be lacking sufficient experience. Grades 1-4.
Advertisement