Overview of Program
Annual Maintenance Fee
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Certification Information |
| Standing Rules |
Standing Rules
STANDING RULESThe following rules are established to assist the SWS Professional Certification Program Inc. in conducting the business of the Certification Program. Section 1. Duties of the President. The President shall be responsible for the business of the Certification Program, establish special committees required for the business of the Certification Program, and exercise such other responsibilities as necessary to operate the Certification Program. Section 2. Duties of the Vice-President. Duties of the Vice-President are to assist the President and to perform the duties of the President when that officer is absent or unable to act. Section 3. Duties of the Secretary-General. (a) Obtain quarterly updates from the business management company of certified or pending applicants. Upon request from the Board of Directors, provide digital copies of such updates. (b) Maintain and update copies of the Certification Program Bylaws and Standing Rules. (c) Record and read minutes of the annual meeting of the Certification Program and all called meetings of the Board of Directors. Distribute minutes to Board members. (d) Oversee development, procurement, brochures, postage, photocopying, stationery, and other items as needed or directed. Section 4. Duties of the Secretary-General-elect. (a) Work closely with the Secretary-General on Certification Program affairs in order to be prepared to occupy the position at the end of the Secretary-General's term in office. (b) Fulfill the term of Secretary-General should that individual not be able to Continue in office. Section 5. Duties of the Treasurer. (a) Administer the financial resources of the Certification Program. (b) Pay all bills and carry out financial transactions of the Certification Program as authorized by the President or the Board of Directors. (c) Serve as liaison with the business management company, and prepare appropriate status reports for the Board of Directors. (d) Be responsible for preparation and filing of the Certification Program's income tax returns. (e) Prepare an annual budget and present it at the annual meeting of the Certification Program. Section 6. Duties of the Treasurer-elect. (a) Work closely with the Treasurer on Certification Program affairs in order to be prepared to occupy the position at the end of the Treasurer-elect term in office. (b) Fulfill the term of Treasurer should that individual not be able to continue in office. Section 7. Duties of the Immediate Past President. (a) The immediate Past President performs the duties of President if both the President and Vice-President are unable to act. The immediate Past President shall serve as Parliamentarian at meetings. (b) The immediate Past President shall serve, with the SWS/PCP Representative, as the Certification Programs' liaison to the Society of Wetland Scientists, Inc., Board of Directors. He or she will attend, upon invitation, all Board and Executive Board meetings of SWS. (c) The immediate Past President shall serve as a member of the Nomination Committee and the Ethics Committee. Section 8. Terms of appointment and duties of the Certification Standards Committee Chair and the Certification Standards Committee. (a) The Certification Standards Committee Chair shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors for a three year term and is responsible for leading and working with a committee of eight Professional Wetland Scientists. The Chair shall nominate five of the Committee candidates based on geographical representation, sources of employment, education and experience background, and minority considerations. The sixth, seventh, and eighth Committee member shall be the chairs of the Certification Review Panel, Certification Renewal Panel, and the Ethics Committee. (b) The Certification Standards Committee is appointed on a rotating basis, with two new members appointed for each of two years and three new members appointed in the third year, in order to maintain a seven-member committee. (c) The Certification Standards Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board for certification requirements on at least an annual basis. Updates to the certification program standards will occur no more frequently then every three years. Section 9. Terms of appointment and duties of the Certification Review Panel Chair and Panel. (a) The Certification Review Panel Chair shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors for a three year term and is responsible for leading and working with a Review Panel of nine Professional Wetland Scientists. The Chair shall also serve as a member of the Certification Standards Committee. Panel members may be reappointed by the President with approval by the Board of Directors. The current Panel Chair shall assist the President in recommending appropriate Panel candidates based on geographical representation, sources of employment, education and experience background, and minority considerations. The Panel is appointed on a rotating basis, with three new members appointed each year. (b) The Panel Chair presides over Panel meetings, which should occur at least annually. (c) The Panel Chair shall have the authority to confer the status of Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) or Wetland Professional In Training (WPIT) to applicants who meet all requirements set forth by the Certification committee. (d) The Panel Chair makes recommendations for certification requirement procedures to the Certification Standards Committee Chair based on specific experiences during processing of applications. (e) The Panel Chair receives copies of all applications from the business management office, receives all completed review forms from other Panelists, corresponds directly with applicants concerning any and all aspects of individual applications, including approvals and appeals. (e) The Panel Chair records all decisions made by the Panel with the business management office, who maintains master files of the Program. Section 10. Terms of appointment and duties of the Certification Renewal Committee and Chair. (a) The Chair of the Certification Renewal Committee shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors for a three year term and is responsible for leading and working with a committee of seven Professional Wetland Scientists, including the Chair. The Chair shall nominate Committee candidates to be approved by the Board based upon geographical representation, sources of employment, education and experience background, and minority consideration. (b) Committee members shall serve three-year staggered terms in order that no more than three members shall rotate off the Committee annually. Initial appointments shall be as follows: Two-year term (2 persons), Three-year term (3 persons), and Four-year term (2 persons, including the Chair). Thereafter, appointments shall be for three-year terms. (c) The Certification Renewal Committee shall meet at least once per year during the SWSPCP annual meeting, and the Committee shall review and evaluate applications for certification renewal as they are received during the year. The Committee shall annually provide the Certification Standards Committee with an evaluation of the appropriateness of certification renewal criteria and recommendations for changes. (d) The Committee Chair, or his designee, presides over Committee meetings which should occur at least annually at the SWSPCP annual meeting. (e) The Chair or his designee, based upon recommendation of the Committee, shall have the authority to renew the certification of Professional Wetland Scientists for applicants who meet all requirements set forth by the Certification Renewal Committee and described in Section 25 of the Standing Rules. (f) The Chair receives copies of all renewal applications from the business management office, receives all completed review forms of other Panelists, and corresponds directly with applicants concerning any and all aspects of renewal applications, including approvals and appeals. (g) The Chair records all decisions made by the Committee with the business management office which maintains the master files of the Program. (h) The Panel Chair shall serve as a member of the Certification Standards Committee. Section 11. Nomination Committee. (a) The Nomination Committee shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors. (b) The Nomination Committee will consist of the immediate Past President as Chair and two Professional Wetland Scientists, appointed by the President, who will each serve a two year term. (c) The Nomination Committee will solicit candidate nominations from Professional Wetland Scientists in good standing with SWSPCP, Inc., and propose a slate of nominations to the Board of Directors at each Mid-year Board meeting. Section 12. Terms of appointment and duties of the Appeals Board. (a) The Chair of the Appeals Board shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors for a three term. The Appeals Board shall be comprised of three Professional Wetland Scientists in good standing. (b) The term of the Appeals Board will be three years and rotation of members will be staggered. (c) The Appeals Board will consider and rule on disputes in the certification process. Section 13. Terms of appointment and duties of the Ethics Committee. (a) The Ethics Committee shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors and shall serve a three year term. The Chair will serve as a member of the Board of Directors, and will satisfy the requirements of such. (b) The Ethics Committee will consist of the Immediate Past President, Chair of the Certification Standards Committee, Chair of the Certification Review Panel, Chair of the Appeals Board, and two certified PWS members appointed by the President to a three year term. The Terms shall be staggered. (c) The Ethics Committee will conduct hearings to review complaints concerning possible violations of the Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program, Inc., Code of Ethics and Practice for Professional Activity and will take appropriate action as specified in these standing rules. (d) The Ethics Committee shall review the Code of Ethics on an annual basis, and revise, if necessary. All proposed revisions must be approved by the Board of Directors. (e) The Committee Chair shall serve as a member of the Certification Standards Committee. Section 14. Terms and appointment of Archivist. (a) The Archivist shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors for a three term. (b) The Archivist shall be responsible for developing criteria for determining what types of Certification Program records and materials will be archived, how and where they will be stored and accessed and the longevity of various materials in the archive. Section 15. Terms and appointments of the Outreach Committee. (a) The Outreach Committee Chair shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors for a three year term and is responsible for leading and working with a three member committee. The Chair shall nominate Committee candidates to be approved by the Board of Directors. (b) The Outreach Committee is charged with the promotion and development of public recognition of the SWSPCP. The Committee works to develop materials that describe the program to the public, governmental agencies and nonprofit groups. The Committee also seeks to promote the overall recognition of the benefits of professional certification to other wetland scientists and to develop professional ties to other appropriate organizations. Section 16. Terms and appointments of the Insurance Committee. (a) The Committee shall consist of a Chair and four additional Committee members. All Committee members shall be Professional Wetland Scientists. The Chair and Committee members shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors. The Chair is responsible for leading and working with the committee. All Committee members shall serve for a three-year term. The Chair shall nominate qualified Committee candidates. In order to represent that portion of the certified individuals that has expressed the greatest desires and need for the Insurance Program, special consideration is to be given to appointing Committee members who are employed in the private (non-governmental or academic) and/or consulting wetland sciences. (b) The Committee is appointed on a rotating basis, with one member appointed in the first year and two new members appointed for each of the two following years, in order to maintain a five-member committee. There shall be no limit on the number of terms to which a member can be appointed. (c) The Committee facilitates reviews and makes recommendations to the Board for the insurance "program" for the certified individuals on an ongoing basis. Section 17. Terms of appointments for Committee members and Chairs. The term for all new appointments to standing committee members and Chairs shall begin immediately upon installation of the newly elected Board of Directors at the SWSPCP annual meeting irrespective of when appointment and approval occur. The term of appointment for all subsequent committee members and Chairs shall run from annual meeting to annual meeting for their specified term length. Section 18. Professional Wetland Scientist and Wetland Professional in Training requirements for certification. Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification is awarded by SWSPCP, Inc., Certification Panel to individuals meeting education and experience requirements defined below. Certification as a Wetland Professional In Training (WPIT) is considered to be a preliminary step for persons who have completed educational requirements but do not meet the experience or specialized wetland course requirements. (a) College/University education. All applicants must submit information that documents completion of the educational requirements leading to a college or university degree of Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, or equivalent or higher degree, and should have the following, or equivalent, course work acquired through a collegiate program: (1) Biological Sciences: Fifteen (15) semester hours in biological sciences including courses such as general biology, botany or zoology; general ecology; plant, animal, aquatic or wetlands ecology; invertebrate zoology; taxonomy; marine science; fisheries biology; plant physiology, plant taxonomy, plant pathology, plant morphology; relevant environmental sciences; and similar courses. (2) Physical Sciences: Fifteen (15) semester hours in courses in soils, chemistry, hydrology, physics, geology, sedimentology, oceanography, coastal processes, environmental engineering, and similar courses. (3) Quantitative Sciences: Six (6) semester hours in courses in math, computer sciences, basic statistics, population dynamics, experimental statistics, and similar courses. (4) Additional Educational Requirements for PWS Certification: As of June 1, 1999, fifteen (15) semester hours (or equivalent in short courses or continuing education courses) of specialized wetland course work (SWCW). Examples of recommended courses, continuing education, and/or training needed to attain additional competency include, but are not limited to, the following: Wetland Plant Taxonomy; Advanced Plant Taxonomy; Wetland Hydrology; General Hydrology; Soil Morphology, Classification, and Mapping; Hydric Soil Identification; Wetland Restoration and Creation; Wetland Delineation/Evaluation/Classification; Applied Wetland Ecology and Management; Wetland Creation/Mitigation; Wetland Ecology; Stream Delineation, Assessment and Management. Attendance at professional meetings or symposia will NOT qualify to meet this requirement. A maximum of 5 semester hours, or equivalent hours, may be given for stream related training. Professional short courses can not be used to satisfy the collegiate training requirements for biological, physical or quantitative science requirements. (5) Applicants seeking credit for specialized wetland courses taken outside of the university setting where no official college credit was generated must provide the following information to assist the SWSPCP Certification Panel in assessing the applicability of the course in meeting the minimum hour requirement for Specialized Wetland Courses: (a) Name, date, location and sponsor of the course (b) The number of classroom and/or field hours completed (6) The
educational requirements are expressed in terms of semester hours.
One semester hour usually reflects one lecture or three laboratory
hours of instruction per week for a 15 week term. One quarter hour
normally equals 0.66 semester hours; therefore semester hours =
quarter hours x 2/3. Professional short courses will be prorated
based on 15 hours of instruction will equal 1 equivalent semester
hour. For example, a 36 hour wetland delineation course will equal
2.4 equivalent semester hours. (b) Qualifying Experience. In addition to the minimum collegiate courses required, a PWS must meet specific experience and wetlands-related education as outlined below: Professional experience begins following conferral of the FIRST degree at a baccalaureate or higher level. Certification as a PWS requires a minimum of five (5) years of full-time professional experience, relevant experience must be gained within ten (10) years prior to applying for the PWS. Experience must demonstrate the application of current technical knowledge to problems and programs dealing with wetland resources and activities. Relevant experience may be gained while working in the private (e.g., consulting, industry, non-profit), public (e.g., local, state, federal government), and/or academic sectors. Identification of the professional level of experience will require careful evaluation of each application. Experience is calculated based upon applicant's description and documentation of percentage of time applied to relevant wetlands work. Therefore, it is the applicant's responsibility to fully document for each experience the percentage of time devoted specifically to professional wetland activities, providing month/year dates for each period(s) of experience. Full-time work experience is defined as a minimum 75% of daily/weekly/monthly duties devoted specifically to wetland science. Work experience below the 75% threshold will be credited on a pro-rated basis. NOTE: the terms "research" and "project" are generic. Examples of qualifying experience include: (1) Engaging in research that includes field or laboratory observation, analysis of data, and preparation of a publication for recognized journals and/or published reports to private/public clients, (2) Directing a research project with supervisory responsibility over several technicians, (3) Serving as a leader or assistant leader on wetland-related projects requiring independent judgment and action, (4) Teaching a college course or equivalent in wetlands science, (5) Working as a wetlands specialist, scientist, or manager in the public (local, state, or federal agency) or private (industry, consultant, developer) sector, (6) Directing a state-wide or district-wide wetlands program, conducting wetland restoration projects, wetland program planning, or conducting wetland delineation or evaluation. (c) Examples of non-qualifying experience include: (1) Teaching below college level, (2) Carrying out routine responsibilities such as data collecting without statistical analysis, professional writing of someone else's work, making routine plant identification, conducting bioassay or other analytical laboratory determinations, (3) Providing input to or review of environmental impact statements, unless as a wetland specialist, (4) Working as an undergraduate or graduate research or teaching assistant, (5) Involvement in wetland studies as an administrative function without application of principles and concepts of wetland sciences. (d) Time spent obtaining advanced academic degrees may apply toward professional experience subject to the following guidelines. (1) Experience credit normally will be given only upon completion of curriculum and research judged by the panel as relevant to the wetland profession. (2) Up to two (2) years of credit will be allotted for a Master's degree, up to three (3) years of credit for a Ph.D., and up to four (4) years of credit for a Master's and a Ph.D. Credit allowed will be on a case-by-case basis based on relevance to the wetland sciences. The applicant should outline the wetlands relevance of the work leading to the degree(s) to ensure appropriate credit is given. (3) When time intervals for education and employment overlap, a detailed explanation must be provided of the relevant portions of each. Experience must be gained within the ten (10) years prior to the date the application is signed. (e) Documentation of Education and Experience. Each applicant for Professional Wetland Scientist certification must include the following: (1) A curriculum vita or resume documenting name, address, college/university degree(s), a list of relevant college/university courses, and documentation of full-time experience in wetland science, (2) A list of citations for wetlands-related publications, technical reports, oral presentations, and other professional activities. (3) Names, addresses and phone numbers of five (5) references must accompany application for certification. Two of the five references must be from Professional Wetland Scientists. One reference must be a member of the Society of Wetland Scientists. One reference must be an employer, supervisor or client. Three references must complete Form C, and at least one of the three must be a current PWS. For PWS, two of your references must be from professionals employed outside your own organization. Individuals who live outside the continental United States must provide five letters of reference. These individuals do not have to members of the Society of Wetland Scientists or Professional Wetland Scientists, although it is encouraged to attempt to get an individual from either organization where possible. Do not list personnel that you supervise. Indicate the category of each reference. (4) Copies of all academic transcripts for all degrees conferred or courses taken (photocopies are acceptable). (5) Applicant must also certify the accuracy of application documents and certify that they agree with the SWSPCP Code of Ethics. (f) APPLICATION FEES
Maintenance of certification as a PWS or WPIT requires an annual fee of $50.00 *Note: SWS membership must be current at the time of application. (g) Upgrading from WPIT certification to PWS certification For an individual certified as a Wetland Professional In Training to apply for certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist, it is not necessary to complete the full application. The individual should document course work and other training and experience since the last application that will fulfill completely the requirements for PWS certification. Professional accomplishments and publications should be highlighted. The name and address of at least one new reference, preferably an individual verified as a PWS, should be included with the application, along with a check or money order for the difference between the WPIT and PWS application fees ($200.00 US). If the upgrade application is more than two years from the date a WPIT was awarded, three new Form Cs must be completed to reflect a current assessment of the applicant's professional work experience. The SWSPCP Business Office will attach a copy of the original application to the new material for submission to the Certification Panel. Review and approval of the upgrade application will then proceed in the same way as an original application. Section 19. Duties of the Business Management Company. (a) Direct all correspondence received to the appropriate Board Member as needed. Prepare and mail correspondence at the direction of the Board members. (b) Maintain a file of correspondence and records of the Certification Program business. Section 20. Salaries and Expenses. The President, Vice-President, Secretary-General, Treasurer, Past President, Certification Review Panel Chair, Certification Committee Chair, and Appeal Board Chair or any other Board, Committee member or Chair shall receive no salary for services. Board and Standing Committees members may receive compensation for expenses incurred for Board meetings and/or any other related expenses, as approved by the President. Section 21. Initial and Renewal Fees. Initial fees for Professional Certification applications are $300 for members and $400 for non-members for PWS, and $100 for members and $200 for non-members for WPIT. Renewal fees are payable annually by all successful applicants. Individuals who are certified as PWS or WPIT are not required to submit annual maintenance fees in the year in which they are certified. All initial fees must be submitted with completed applications, and renewal fees are submitted upon receipt of an annual bill. All fees are sent to the business management office. A WPIT pays $200 for an upgrade certification to PWS. The Treasurer, with the assistance of the business management office, shall maintain all finances. These funds shall be used to conduct the Certification Program's business, including insurance, and to provide an endowment for the maintenance of the Certification Program in perpetuity. At the direction of the Board of Directors, and as any excess funds are available, the Treasurer shall gift the Society of Wetland Scientists Inc. annually the interest on the principal of these accounts. The Certification Program will adopt Robert's Rules of Order. The Past President will serve as Parliamentarian at Board and annual business meetings. The Board of Directors has the authority to delegate responsibilities for producing and distributing publications which further the objectives of the certification program. An Appeals Board of three Professional Wetland Scientists will be nominated by the President and approved by the Executive Board. Nominations will be solicited from the standing committee chairs. Any applicant aggrieved with a decision of the Certification Review Panel has the right to request a review of the decision. The review shall be conducted by the Appeals Board. The format for the appeal is specified below: (a) The applicant must submit a request for appeal to the SWSPCP, Inc. Business Office within 60 days of the date of the Certification Review Panel decision. Specific reasons for the appeal must be stated by the applicant. Upon request by the Chair of the Appeals Board, the Chair of the Certification Panel shall provide the comments and recommendation from the Review Panel that were used in reaching their decision. (b) The SWSPCP, Inc. Business Office shall transmit the appeal and all appropriate application materials to each of the three members of the Appeals Board. (c) The Appeals Board shall have 30 days from the time of receipt of an appeal to conduct a review of materials and prepare a finding. The finding will be prepared in writing from the Appeals Board Chair to the President. (d) The President makes the final decision and responds to the applicant, with a copy of the response to the SWSPCP Business Office, Certification Committee Chair and Certification Review Panel Chair. Section 26. Certification Renewal Process. SWSPCP, Inc., certifies certain individuals meeting minimum requirements to be Professional Wetland Scientists (PWS), Wetland Professionals in Training (WPIT), and Professional Wetland Scientists (emeritus) as described in Section (a) (3) below. In order to promote the maintenance of high technical standards of PWS, SWSPCP, Inc. requires certification renewal at five-year intervals for individuals being certified after June 1, 2001. Individuals who were certified prior to June 1, 2001, will renew their certification as defined below in Section (a)(1). The process of certification renewal is defined below: (a) Beginning June 1, 2001, newly certified PWS will be required to renew certification at five-year intervals from his/her current certification date. Exceptions to the above renewal dates include the following: (1) PWS who were certified prior to 1 June 2000, have the following renewal certification dates:
(2) PWS who were certified before June 1, 2002 may elect to renew certification prior to the above dates, and the renewal cycle will begin at the date of renewal. (3) PWS who have
retired may wish to maintain active certification as described above
or may apply emeritus status. To qualify for emeritus status, an
individual must be 65 years of age and have been a PWS for at least
10 years, or 60 years of age and have been a PWS for at least 15
years. An applicant for emeritus status must submit a one-time
certification renewal fee of $125.00, statement of retirement, and
evidence of age and certification duration as listed above. Upon
meeting these criteria, the individual will be granted the status of
PWS (emeritus) for life. (b). Certification Renewal Criteria (1) An individual applying for certification renewal must be a PWS in good standing with SWSPCP, Inc. Certificants who are in arrears with annual fees must bring dues current prior to processing of the certification renewal application. (2) Certification shall be for a period of no greater than five years except as described above in Section a)(1) and a)(3) above. (3) A PWS shall complete the Certification Renewal application with supporting documentation and nonrefundable payment of $75 to SWSPCP, Inc. Documentation should be in the form of a letter from event sponsor, certificate of completion, attendance roster, or other independent attestation of completion. At a minimum, each record should include the name of the attendee, name of the sponsoring organization, activity title, activity description, activity date, and the duration of the activity. (4) A PWS who fails to renew certification within the prescribed time period will be deactivated, unless the renewal period is extended by exception as described below, a lapsed certification will require recertification under the current criteria. (5) A PWS shall earn a minimum of 10 certification renewal points during a five-year period from the time of certification for those certified after June 1, 2001. (6) Certification renewal credits may be earned as follows: The Certification Renewal Committee will evaluate applications and may request additional supportive documentation. The Committee may reject requests for credits that are not properly documented or are deemed to be inappropriate. (a) Employment in the field. Fulltime employment (working 75 percent of the time as a wetland scientist) in the field of wetland science earns two points per year. Less than fulltime employment shall earn credits at the following rates: 60 - 74 percent
of time as wetland scientist = 1.5 credits/year No more than 8.0 points earned by employment shall be applied to certification renewal during the five-year period. A PWS applying for certification renewal shall provide evidence of employment to substantiate the renewal points in the application. (b) Wetland instruction. Attendance at a wetland-training course shall earn credits at a rate of 0.5 credits per 8 hours of training. No more than 2.0 credits shall be earned per training course. No more than 8.0 credits earned from wetland instruction shall be applied toward certification per five-year period. PWS applying for certification renewal must provide documentation of participation, course instructors, course content, and course length or evidence that the course has been accredited by SWSPCP, Inc. (c) Wetland training instructor. Refer to criteria for employment in the field. (d) Publication of technical paper. A PWS may earn certification renewal credits for publications made within 5 years of the latest renewal date defined in Table (a)(1) of Section 22 of the Standing Rules. Publication of a wetland-related scientific paper in a peer reviewed journal, monograph, or book shall accrue certification renewal points at the following rates:
No more than 8.0 credits for preparation of technical articles shall be applied toward recertification per five-year period. A PWS seeking certification renewal credits shall present appropriate evidence of the documents cited such as a copy of the title page or first page with the application for certification renewal. (e) Presentation of an oral paper or poster at a wetland-related meeting. PWS preparing and presenting an oral paper or poster shall earn 1.0 renewal credit. No more than 8.0 credits for preparation of oral papers or posters shall be applied to certification renewal per five-year period. PWS seeking certification renewal credits shall present evidence that paper or poster was presented and/or description of the conference or evidence that it has been accredited by SWSPCP, Inc. (f) Active officer in professional wetland-related organization. A PWS serving an active role as an officer (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer) in a wetland related organization shall earn 1.0 credit per year; committee chairs shall earn 0.5 credits per year. Active committee members will 0.25 credits per year. No more than 8.0 credits shall be applied to certification renewal per five-year period. PWS seeking certification credit shall present evidence of position and active service in an acceptable organization or SWSPCP, Inc. accredited organization. (g) Attendance at wetland conference. PWS attending a wetland-related conference shall earn renewal credits at the rate of 0.5 credits per conference lasting a minimum of 8.0 hours per conference. No more than 4.0 credits for attendance of wetland conferences shall be applied to certification renewal per five-year period. PWS seeking renewal credit must submit evidence of participation. Application for credits from conferences accredited by SWSPCP, Inc. need only submit evidence of participation and the length of the conference. Applicants seeking credits for other conferences must include a description of the conference, including technical content for approval. (h) Other. Credits for other types of wetland activities may be granted upon submittal of appropriate documentation to SWSPCP, Inc. Certification Standards Committee. An applicant must obtain authorization for credits in this category by making a request to the Chair of the Certification Standards Committee. The Chair will respond to the request after reviewing it with the Committee. Response will be made within 60 days of the receipt of a request. The decision of the Committee shall be final unless the applicant requests a review by the Appeals Board. (c) Exceptions. Requests for exceptions to the above-described certification renewal criteria will be reviewed by SWSPCP Certification Renewal Committee, based upon the circumstances and supportive documentation of the petition. The Chair, with consent of a majority of Committee members, will make the final decision, and will report to the applicant. The applicant may ask the Appeals Board to review any negative decisions. (d) Appeal. In the event that an application for certification renewal is denied, the applicant may make a request for reevaluation by the Appeals Board. Section 27. Ethics complaint filing and review process. The SWSPCP, Inc. has a Code of Ethics and Professional Practice which each certified Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) or Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT) agrees to uphold when making application for certification. If complaints arise and are brought forward by the process defined in these standing rules, the Ethics Committee shall review the complaint and make a decision. The complaints shall be submitted and reviewed as follows: (a) Ethics complaints must be filed on a form provided by the SWSPCP, Inc. business office and must provide written evidence or affidavit documenting the complaint and must be signed by the complainant. All preliminary complaints will be held in confidence by the Ethics Committee and the business office. (b) The business office shall immediately forward the complaint to the Ethics Committee for review. Once the complaint is received by the Committee for preliminary review it will be judged by the Chair with advice of the full Committee within 14 days as either viable or non-viable. If the complaint is found non-viable, the complainant will be notified of discrepancies, and at the discretion of a majority of the Committee, be allowed to re-submit. If determined to be viable, a copy of the complaint will be sent by the SWSPCP, Inc. business office by certified mail to the person charged (defendant) within 10 days of the decision by Committee. (c) The person charged shall prepare a response/rebuttal which shall be returned to the SWSPCP, Inc. business office within 60 days of the date that the complaint was sent to the defendant. The defendant may request an additional 30 days extension by the Chair if extenuating circumstances exist that prohibits the defendant from meeting the 60 day deadline. The defendant must provide the Chair with oral or written proof before the end of the first 60 days. Failure to respond within 60 days or, if extended, by the end of the extension period, will not stop the complaint review process. (d) A closed hearing is scheduled for either the mid-year Board Meeting or the SWSPCP, Inc. annual meeting, whichever is most convenient for the defendant to attend, should he/she decide to attend (attendance not required). (e) The complainant is notified of the hearing time, place and date and offered the opportunity to attend and present the complaint (attendance not required). (f) The Ethics Committee shall utilize the Code of Ethics and Professional Practice as the standards for evaluating the complaint and shall rely on physical evidence, signed and witnessed affidavits, or testimony to ascertain if a violation of the Code of Ethics and Professional Practice has taken place. Hearsay evidence shall not be considered by the Committee. Possible evidence of criminal wrongdoing shall not be considered by SWSPCP, Inc., but shall be referred to the proper authorities. (g) The Ethics Committee will take one of the following actions: (1) If there is insufficient evidence to prove that a violation of the Code of Ethics and Professional Practice occurred, the Committee shall overrule the complaint and exonerate the defendant. (2) If the Ethics Committee finds that a violation of the Code of Ethics and Professional Practice has occurred, the Committee must determine the severity of the violation and, depending on the severity, take one of three actions: (i) Write a Letter of Reprimand to the defendant. (ii) Place the defendant on probation for a period of two (2) years. (iii) Decertify the defendant as a PWS or WPIT for a period of five (5) years. (h) The decision of the Ethics Committee will be determined by a majority of committee members at the meeting with a minimum of three necessary to comprise a quorum. (i) The complainant and defendant will be notified by certified mail of the Ethics Committees' decision within 30 days of the final decision. The letter will specify the specific violation(s) found to have occurred and will be signed by the SWSPCP President. (j) A person issued a Letter of Reprimand will remain listed in the Registry of Professional Wetland Scientists. A Letter of Reprimand may be issued only once within a five (5) year period. Any subsequent violation within the five (5) year period must be addressed through probation or decertification. (k) A person who has been placed on probation will be delisted from the Registry of Professional Wetland Scientists for the duration of the probationary period. A person may be placed on probation no more than twice within a five (5) year period. Any subsequent violation within the five (5) year period will result in decertification. (i) A person who has satisfactorily completed the probationary period will be relisted in the Registry of Professional Wetland Scientists. (ii) The person's original certification renewal schedule is not changed by probation. If certification renewal is due during the probationary period, probation must first be completed. Upon satisfactory completion of probation, the certification renewal must be completed, including fee paid, before the person is relisted in the Registry of Professional Wetland Scientists. (iii) A WPIT who has been placed on probation may not apply for PWS certification during the probationary period, and may not use experience while on probation toward experience required for upgrading from WPIT to PWS certification. A WPIT may use experience and training during probation for certification renewal. (l) A person who has been decertified is not a PWS or WPIT for the decertification period. The decertified person will be delisted from the Registry of Professional Wetland Scientists. At the end of the decertification period, the person may apply for reinstatement as a PWS or WPIT. Requirements for reinstatement are: (i) Three letters of reference from PWS in good standing, who are not employed by the same organization as the decertified person; (ii) An application fee according to the schedule of fees for a new certification (Section 18); and (iii) Documentation of five (5) years of experience during the previous 10 years that meets the certification renewal requirements in Section 26. (m) An application for reinstatement will be reviewed by the Certification Review Panel. (n) The date of reinstatement of a decertified PWS or WPIT is the new certification year for the purpose of certification renewal. (o) Any person who is decertified twice within a ten (10) year period will not be eligible for reinstatement of their certification. Section 28. Duties of the SWS/PCP representative. (a) The immediate past presidents of SWS and SWSPCP shall work together to identify a candidate representative whose appointment shall be approved by the SWS Board of Directors and endorsed by the SWSPCP Board of Directors. (b) Responsibilities and Duties of the SWS/PCP Representative shall include: 1. Attend SWSPCP Board Meetings; report on SWS activities and plans; participate in discussions and votes as a member of the SWSPCP Board of Directors as per Article IV. Section 3 of the SWSPCP Bylaws. 2. Attend SWS Board Meetings; report on SWSPCP activities and plans; participate in discussions and votes as a member of the SWS Board of Directors as per Article III. Section 4. of the SWS Bylaws. 3. Promote interactions and common activities between SWS and SWSPC. These may include but are not limited to social events between members of the boards of directors, sessions on subjects of common interest at SWS annual meetings, and education and outreach to the public. Revised July 15, 2010 JEP
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