Membership

Save the Date! ASSE Leadership Conference 2008

October 2-4, 2008 - The Westin Hotel - 70 Yorktown Center - Lombard, IL

Opening Reception: Thursday, October 2 - 4:30pm

 

HOD Votes to Change Criteria for Professional Membership

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What has changed?

A: Previously, those members with a bachelor's degree and 10 years' SH&E experience, or those with a CSP or CIH in good standing, were allowed professional membership status in the Society. The new criteria requires a credential from the approved list, a bachelor's degree and 5 years' experience in SH&E; or a doctorate-level degree in an SH&E field and 5 years' SH&E experience.

Q: How does the change to the criteria to become a professional member affect those who are currently classified as professional members?

A: Members who are currently classified as a professional member will not be affected by this change. Once you are classified as a professional member, your classification will not change as long as you continue to meet the requirements (for example, keep your CSP in good standing with BCSP).

Q: How can I reclassify?

A: One of two ways:

  • Through the online form . The site will allow no-cost reclassification between now and June 30, 2008.
  • Through the membership application via fax or mail. The back page of the application has a "reclassification" option. Complete the Work/Educational History and the Occupational Experience sections. Again, the cost will be waived through June 30, 2008.

Q: If I reclassify to professional member now without a certification, what will happen on July 1, 2008?

A: All members who reclassify to professional member before July 1, 2008, will keep their level of membership at that time (if this includes a certification, it must also be in good standing). All members who join or reclassify after that point will need to meet the new requirements.

Q: I reside outside of the U.S. and have a hard time accessing certification programs. How does this apply to me?

A: For members residing outside of the U.S., the change will not take effect until July 1, 2009. This will provide an additional year to acclimate to the new criteria.

Q: I hold a certification outside of the list currently recognized by ASSE. Can this certification be considered to be recognized for professional membership?

A: The ASSE Admissions Committee is continually reviewing credentials for consideration for Professional Membership. If you would like a credential to be considered, please submit it to Michelle Brozell, manager, membership development.

Q: If I do not reclassify, how does this impact me as a safety professional and ASSE member?

A: Professional membership is a mark of distinction in ASSE and the profession. In addition to this recognition, there exist requirements for holding office in the Society that require professional membership (e.g., Board of Directors, practice specialty administrators, etc.).

Q: If I am not a professional member, can I still serve as a chapter president?

A: Yes, chapter presidents must be classified as either a member or a professional member of the Society.

Have other questions or want further clarification? Contact Dave Wagner, Manager, Membership Development.

At the 2007 House of Delegates Meeting delegates voted to approve a change to the criteria to become a professional member of ASSE. The new criteria will go into effect on July 1, 2008, for those members residing within the U.S., and July 1, 2009, for those members residing outside of the United States.

To give current members time to adjust to this change, ASSE is waiving the reclassification fee for a short term. Members can reclassify at no cost through an online form.

The new criteria to qualify for professional membership are as follows:

1. Shall be a certified safety professional (CSP) or certified industrial hygienist (CIH) in good standing with the Board of Certified Safety Professionals or American Board of Industrial Hygiene, respectively, or

2. Shall hold an accredited certification from a body recognized by the Admissions Committee, hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university and shall have a minimum of 5 years in the aggregate professional safety, health and environmental experience, or

3. Shall be registered or licensed by a state agency as a professional engineer (P.E.), hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university and shall have a minimum of 5 years in the aggregate professional safety, health and environmental experience, or

4. Shall hold a doctorate level degree from an accredited college or university in a safety, health and environmental field recognized by the Admissions Committee and shall have a minimum of 5 years in the aggregate professional safety, health and environmental experience.

Thus, to obtain professional member status with ASSE, members must have one of the following certifications:

  • CSP
  • CIH

OR, one of the following certifications/licenses, along with a bachelor's degree and 5 years of SH&E experience:

  • P.E.
  • Certified Health Physicist (CHP)
  • Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
  • Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP)
  • Certified Professional Environmental Auditor (CPEA)
  • Chartered Member-IOSH (CMIOSH)
  • Chartered Fellow-IOSH (CFIOSH)
  • Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS)

OR must have a doctorate level degree in an SH&E field and 5 years of SH&E experience.

 

Special Message from the Council on Practices and Standards

The Council on Practices and Standards (CoPS) would like to inform you that effective January 2008, the cost to join a practice specialty will increase from $15 to $20 (per practice specialty).

In the nearly 14 years since the last price increase, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and CoPS have worked hard to keep practice specialty membership fees affordable, even during several postage rate hikes and increasing printing and publication costs. The nominal increase will be used to address rising costs needed to support the 13 different technical publications and to provide our current high-caliber products and services. It will also position the practice specialties for future growth and improvement.

Thanks to practice specialty members article contributions, we are pleased to see that the technical publications have increased in quality and page length. Most of the technical publications now average between 16 and 24 pages of content, compared to the average length of four to six pages in 1995. And since CoPS' mission is to give practice specialty members only the best product possible, the small change in price will allow us to continue to offer you the superior resources you depend on and deserve. We appreciate your support and understanding.

If you have questions regarding the price increase or require further information, please contact Tim Fisher at tfisher@asse.org or Rennie Heath at rheath@asse.org.