Registered Soil Practitioner – Erosion and Sediment Control (RSP-ESC) is a speciality accreditation. It was developed in partnership with the Australasian International Erosion Control Association (IECA Australasia). It is designed for environmental managers, engineers, soil scientists, natural resource managers, regulators and other soil professionals who develop and implement erosion and sediment control programs.
The accreditation provides assurance that the appropriate principles are being applied when conducting erosion control on disturbed sites during construction and decommissioning.
This ensures construction and mining managers – as well as all levels of government in both Australia and New Zealand – have confidence that a Registered Soil Practitioner has been trained to develop and apply erosion and sediment control standards in line with contemporary best practice.
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.
The RSP-ESC was developed and is being delivered in partnership with the Australasian International Erosion Control Association (IECA Australasia)
Education pathway: Hold formal undergraduate qualification in a suitable field such as Environment or Engineering, have at least 5 years relevant experience, pass the RSP-ESC Online assessment and participate in a panel interview.
Workforce pathway: May have no formal qualification but have considerable and current experience, at least 8 years, pass the RSP-ESC Online assessment and participate in a panel interview.
Recognition pathway: Hold another accreditation in Erosion and Sediment Control and have at least 5 years relevant experience, and participate in a panel interview.
RSP accreditation is available to members of Soil Science Australia and IECA Australasia, as well as non-members.
Find out more about Soil Science Australia membership.
Find out more about IECA Australasia membership.
All applications are confidential.
Information about accreditation fees can be found here.
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.
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.
The RSP-ESC Online assesssment has been developed in partnership with, and is hosted by, the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA).
The assessment is proctored, contains 100 multiple choice questions and takes up to 2 hours. It is completed online at a time that you negotiate with SSSA and the proctor.
Questions are aligned with the RSP-ESC Standards, set by RSP-ESC Examinations Committee and are considered to be the minimum professional competencies required by those working in erosion and sediment control in Australia and New Zealand. There are no practice assessments available.
The assessment is offered every three months and you can register by visiting the SSSA registration page. The cost of sitting the assessment is set on an annual basis and will be paid in $US directly to SSSA.
