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Environmental Scientist — QEP/CHMM
Environmental scientist licensing involves meeting state-specific education and experience requirements, obtaining QEP/CHMM certifications, and navigating PE crossover pathways. Approximately 18 states require specific licensure — certification requirements, practice scope, and CE hours vary by jurisdiction.
51
Total States
3
Require License
48
Accept QEP/CHMM
Varies
Avg CE Hours
Environmental scientist credentials involve education, experience, national certifications, and state-specific registration programs overseen by DEQ/DEP agencies.
The Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) certification from IPEP and Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) from IHMM are the two primary national certifications. Both require education, experience, and passing a comprehensive examination.
Environmental scientists conduct Phase I/II/III environmental site assessments, oversee remediation projects, and manage hazardous waste programs. Many states require licensed professionals for brownfield and voluntary cleanup program participation.
Professional Engineer (PE) licensure provides crossover authority for environmental engineering work in most states. State environmental agencies (DEQ/DEP/DHEC) typically oversee licensing programs and set practice requirements.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | License Req. | QEP/CHMM | PE Crossover | CE Hours | Total Fees | Confidence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Yes | No | Yes | 36 continuing education credits per biennial renewal period | $235 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Yes | No | No | 48 continuing education credits per 3-year renewal period | $570 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Yes | No | No | 36 continuing education credits per 3-year renewal period | $1,356 | high | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | No | Yes | Yes | N/A — no state CE requirement. QEP requires annual maintenance; CHMM requires recertification every 5 years | $0 | high | Mar 2026 |
Environmental scientists often work alongside other licensed professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
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