GRADE LEVELS

There are four LAB Grade levels and a typical career ladder:

  • Grade 1 Entry Level
  • Grade 2 Analyst
  • Grade 3 Supervisor
  • Grade 4 Manager

Minimum Qualifications

Grade levels go from entry level (Grade 1) to the management level (Grade 4). Grade levels 2, 3, and 4 require a combination of experience and/or education in the vocation to qualify for the test. Since Grade 1 is an entry level test, there are no qualifications and anybody can take the test. However, Grade 1 is designed for a person with about 1 year of experience in the vocation.

Grade 1
  •  No experience required (1 year of experience in the vocation is recommended)
Grade 2
  • 2 years of experience in the vocation
Grade 3
  • LAB Grade 2 certification in good standing
  • 4 years of experience in the vocation OR 3 years with any of the following:

– bachelor’s degree in a related field
– associate degree in a related field
Grade 4
  • LAB Grade 3 certification in good standing
  • 6 years of experience in the vocation OR 5 years with any of the following:

– bachelor’s degree in a related field
– associate degree in a related field

  • 1 year of experience supervising others in a related field

*Laboratory Analyst experience in the wastewater or water treatment industry are both considered acceptable forms of experience.

*Related laboratory experience from Environmental Laboratories or TNI-accredited laboratories may count for up to 100% of experience. Related experience from non-Environmental laboratories may count for up to 50% of experience.

*For Acceptable Degrees for LAB Certification Application, click here.

Acceptable Degrees for LAB Certification Application

Bachelor’s Degrees

  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Environmental Science (with laboratory coursework)
  • Agriculture
  • Microbiology
  • Zoology
  • Biotechnology
  • Biochemistry
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering (with laboratory coursework)
  • Oceanography
  • Marine Biology
  • Forensic Science
  • Geology
  • Hydrology
  • Environmental Toxicology

Associate Degrees

  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Forensic Science
  • Water / Wastewater (with laboratory coursework)

 

*Related degrees that are not listed may be submitted for consideration.

Request Certification Statistics

To request a summary of certification activities, including pass rate information and number of certification holders, please click below to submit a request.

REQUEST HERE

CANDIDATE MATERIALS

NEW! LAB Candidate Handbook
NEW! LAB Candidate Handbook
This handbook contains everything you need to know to become LAB certified, including exam content, policies and procedures. Grades 1-4.
LAB Gap Analysis Tool
LAB Gap Analysis Tool
The Gap Analysis Tool is designed to help candidates identify which grade level is best suited to their current level of experience, and where they may be lacking sufficient experience. Grades 1-4.

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