Giving Up Your EPI Designation
EPIs may voluntarily surrender their certification before their certification expires (unless involved in a BGC ethics case). If voluntary surrender is chosen, the individual is no longer referred to as an EPI. This request can be made via the Retire/Voluntary Surrender Request Form. BGC publishes the names of persons who have elected to voluntarily surrender their certification.
EPIs who surrender their certification:
- Can continue to practice in their Environmental practice
- Can use the BGC certification designations only when referencing the years of active certification, e.g., Environmental Professional In-Training, 2000-2003
- Cannot use the BGC embossing seal, digital badge, or stamp
- Are removed from the BGC email distribution list
- Are relieved of fees requirements
- Must reapply under the QEP program if they wish to obtain another BGC environmental credential
- Are subject to BGC ethics case procedure provisions if found to be in violation of the voluntary surrender terms
Former Certificants can continue to be listed in the BGC online roster depending upon their status.
If the Certificant is | Then the person |
In good standing1 |
|
Not in good standing |
|
1No unresolved ethics issues and current on all fees (due before the end of a CM cycle).
2Current fee is posted on the BGC website.
Involuntarily Decertification
An EPI fails to maintain certification when any of the following conditions occur:
- Annual fees (renewal & late) have not been paid for more than 2 years
- An ethics review results in a decertification sanction
BGC may revoke a person’s certification at any time for cause related to an ethics sanction.
When an EPI fails to renew the certification, BGC sends a written notice of expiration to the person’s current postal mailing address. BGC will publish the names of persons whose certification has expired.
Decertification decisions can be appealed following the Certification Appeals Procedure.
Except for an ethics-related decertification, a formerly certified EPI may only pursue reactivation of BGC status as a QEP, not as an EPI.
It is considered unethical conduct for a person to advertise himself/herself as a BGC Diplomate or Certificant (e.g., CIH, CAIH, QEP, CPPS, CPEA, CPSA or EPI) if the person:
- Is not currently certified by BGC
- Has allowed the certification to expire
- Has voluntarily surrendered the certification
- Has chosen retired status
- Has been de-certified for cause
BGC reserves the right and does take legal action when a non-credentialed person is found to be advertising himself/herself as a BGC Diplomate/Certificant.
EPI CM Handbook