Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)

CIWEM offers the widest range of charterships and technical membership grades of any professional institute in the water and environment sector, reflecting our engagement with the widest spectrum of environmental issues.

When you become a chartered member of CIWEM, you also have the opportunity to apply for the Society for the Environment registration Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), which can be applied for at the same time. If you are already a chartered member of CIWEM, you can submit an application for CEnv in a separate application.

Becoming a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)

For environmental professionals independent of discipline, chartership reflects a high level of skill and experience, setting Chartered Environmentalists (CEnv) apart from others working in their field. It enhances career prospects through establishing proven expertise, experience and commitment to professional standards.

In the UK and across the world, Chartered Environmentalists utilise their specific expertise to lead departments, advise governments and work hands-on as practitioners.

Watch the Society for the Environments webinar on 'How to Become a Chartered Environmentalist' below:

Why become a Chartered Environmentalist?

As the prominence and reputation of Chartered Environmentalists continues to grow in the profession, chartered status is increasingly seen internationally as a highly desirable demonstration of an individual’s competence. Registration as a Chartered Environmentalist demonstrates that an individual has been judged by their peers to be working at the highest possible standards in the environmental profession. Chartered Environmentalists demonstrate:

• High level of theoretical knowledge of sustainability and environmental issues
• Successful application of this knowledge to lead sustainable management of the environment
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills
• A personal commitment to maintain professional standards, and to recognise obligations to society, the profession and the environment

Who can join?

The application process for becoming a Chartered Environmentalist requires master’s degree level (Grade 7) thinking, demonstrated either through achievement of a relevant master’s degree or through the submission of written work deemed to be at an equivalent level by the registration assessors.

If you do not hold a relevant master's degree (Level 7), you can apply for CEnv through CIWEM’s Work Based Learning route. This provides a means of enabling experienced applicants who lack the exemplifying academic qualifications to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding which they have acquired through their working experience against the QAA qualification descriptor for Masters level. Guidance on completing the Work Based Learning route can be downloaded here. When you are ready to complete the application the 'Grade 7 Work Based Learning Statement Form' can be downloaded here.

All applicants for CEnv, need to demonstrate the required professional competences and commitment. Individuals generally develop these through education and working experience, these can also be viewed below:

Application Requirements

To apply for Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) you will need to

• Complete an online application form (please choose 'Chartered Member' and select CEnv in the 'Mandatory Competencies' tab). You can also submit an application for other registrations at the same time. Please note you will need to either be a Chartered member of CIWEM or submit an application for this at the same time.
• Submit a copy of your most up-to-date CV
• Submit copies of relevant certificates signed by your sponsors
• Have two Chartered sponsors, one of which must hold CEnv, who can review your application. You will need to submit a signed letter from each of your sponsors alongside your application confirming they have done this. Additional guidance on sponsor letter requirements can be download here.
• Complete your 1000 word Career Overview Report
• Submit your training and CPD record for the last three years
• Complete your 4000 word Mandatory Competence Attainment Report
• CEnv Work Based Learning applicants will also need to complete the Grade 7 Work Based Learning Form

Watch SocEnv's "The Pathway to Become a CEnv or REnvTech" webinar here.

Information about becoming a C.WEM can be found here.

Useful documents

Sponsor letter guidance

Professional Interview guidance

CPD guidance

Chartered Environmentalist Practice Direction (CEnvPD) Edition 5.1

Work Based Learning route guidance

Grade 7 Work Based Learning Route form

Need advice?

You may be required to undertake a Profession Review Interview (PRI), our membership team can provide guidance, please contact membership@ciwem.org or call +44(0)207 831 3110 for more information.

We’re with you every step of your application, please get in touch if you have any questions about your application or to find out which grade is right for you and someone will be delighted to help.