Registered Soil Practitioner - Acid Sulfate Soil Accreditation

Registered Soil Practitioner – Acid Sulfate Soil is a speciality accreditation. RSP-ASS is for environmental consultants and regulators who develop, implement or assess acid sulfate soil management plans and investigations.

There are two pathways to accreditation: a pathway for consultants and a regulatory pathway. The accreditation is designed to ensure developers and regulators—as well as representatives from all levels of governments in Australia – have confidence that a Registered Soil Practitioner – Acid Sulfate Soil has sufficient competence to develop and implement acid sulfate soil assessment and management plans to national, state and/or territory standards and guidelines. The accreditation provides assurance that the appropriate principles are being applied when managing the disturbance of acid sulfate soil sites during development and closure.

All Registered Soil Practitioners maintain their skills and competencies through ongoing professional development that keeps them up to date with technological advances. In addition, they commit to uphold a Code of Ethics and Rules of Conduct as part of their accreditation.

Once successfully accredited, they may use the post nominals after their name. They will receive an e-certificate and e-seal and can use the seal with their signature in email and other correspondence, and on business cards and printed stationery.

Applying for accreditation

RSP accreditation is available to members and non-members. (Find out more about Soil Science Australia membership). 

All applications are confidential.

Information about accreditation fees can be found here.

  1. Read the RSP – Acid Sulfate Soil application guidelines
  2. Read the RSP – Acid Sulfate Soil Standards
  3. Complete the application and evidence form providing:
    • documentation of at least 5 years of experience with projects in, and adjacent to acid sulfate soil
    • two or three examples of your recent work that address the Standards
    • contact details of three referees.
  4. Pay the accreditation application fee.
  5. Once all the above is satisfactory, take part in a panel interview.
  6. Receive notification of application outcome.

If successful, applicants will pay the annual accreditation fee and receive a welcome letter and your business details will be added to the “Find an RSP” page.

Maintaining accreditation

Certified Professional Soil Scientists need to regularly demonstrate that they have gained sufficient professional development hours to ensure their professional skills and competencies continue to develop in line with recent scientific and technological advances.   

RSPs are required to provide evidence of 40 hours of ongoing professional development every two years to ensure that they are keeping their skills and knowledge current.