Professional Accreditation for Wildlife and Fisheries Biologists

There are a number of options available for professional accreditation. Interested students should consult the governing bodies to determine what elective courses may be needed to help them meet the requirements for professional standing in a particular organization and to learn about the various levels of accreditation.

The College of Applied Biology of British Columbia (CAB) was established in 2003. It operates under a legal statute by an Act of the British Columbia government called the College of Applied Biology Act. It is the governing body for members of the College, including Registered Professional Biologists (RPBio) and Registered Biology Technologists.

Currently, a student taking all of the courses required to complete the Wildlife and Fisheries Major at UNBC should meet the education requirements for eligibility as a Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio) in B.C. The BSc Wildlife and Fisheries degree at UNBC currently includes:

  • 25 science courses;
  • 13 Biology courses;
  • courses in Chemistry, Math, Communications or Introductory Biology;
  • advanced courses in Systematics, Cellular Biology, Organismal Biology, Ecology, Applied Biology, and Statistics.

Following graduation, students also must gain three years of progressive experience practicing applied biology and complete a professional report to apply for registration as an RPBio. Because an undergraduate thesis that is subsequently published can count for this professional report, students should consider exploring options to complete an undergraduate thesis at UNBC.

The Wildlife Society of North America administers the Certified Wildlife Biologist Program. The Wildlife Society, founded in 1937, is an international, non-profit scientific and educational organization serving and representing wildlife professionals in all areas of wildlife conservation and resource management. Its goal is to promote excellence in wildlife stewardship through science and education.

The American Fisheries Society (AFS) offers a Professional Certification Program, which evaluates the education and experience of fisheries professionals.  Successful applicants are awarded certification on a two-tiered system.  Applications are evaluated four times per year, and applicants must be a current AFS member to be certified.  Certification may be used as

  1. a basis for evaluation for employment;
  2. demonstration of expertise;
  3. continuing professional activities;
  4. education and verification of professionalism.