We’ve created the only peer-reviewed wildlife biologist certification process that bestows the titles of Certified Wildlife Biologist®, Associate Wildlife Biologist® or Qualified Airport Wildlife Biologist. The program is managed by our TWS Council and a Certification Review Board made up of a diverse group of experts representing varying wildlife disciplines.
Our Certified Wildlife Biologists® have got chops.
Certified wildlife biologist®
Individuals with the educational background, professional ethics and demonstrated experience in conservation and wildlife management are invited to apply to become a TWS Certified Wildlife Biologist® (CWB®). The CWB® certification is renewable every five years.
Application & Fees
CWB® Application Fee
First time: $155
Upgrade: $75
TWS membership is required for all certifications. Membership offers many benefits, including discounted CEUs, optical gear and books, as well as access to our peer-reviewed publications and journals, and eligibility for grants and awards.
- Download and complete the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Application form for first-time applicants or the AWB®-to-CWB® Upgrade Application for AWB® professionals who have now gained at least five years of experience.
- Upload your application, transcripts and any supporting materials by logging in to your membership account and navigating to “Certification.”
Associate wildlife biologist®
Wildlife professionals who have demonstrated academic vigor and the ability to ethically represent our profession are eligible for our Associate Wildlife Biologist® (AWB®) certification with the opportunity to upgrade to Certified Wildlife Biologist® once requirements are met.
Application & Fees
AWB® Application Fee
First time: $115 or *$95 with certain qualifications (see application)
AWB® Extension: $25
TWS membership is required for all certifications. Membership offers many benefits, including discounted CEUs, optical gear and books, as well as access to our peer-reviewed publications and journals, and eligibility for grants and awards.
- Download and complete the Associate Wildlife Biologist® Application form for first-time applicants or the Associate Wildlife Biologist EXTENSION Application for AWB® professionals who are seeking to upgrade to CWB® but have not yet met the minimum five years of experience for the upgrade within the 10 years of certification.
- Upload your application, transcripts and any supporting materials by logging in to your membership account and navigating to “Certification.”
Qualified Airport wildlife biologist
Eligible Certified Wildlife Biologists® may add the Qualified Airport Wildlife Biologist (QAWB) designation to their credentials. Applicants must meet the qualifications outlined in the FAA’s Advisory Circular 150/5200-36B regarding education, training and an approved Wildlife Hazard Assessment.
Application & Fees
QAWB Application Fee
$50
TWS membership is required for all certifications. Membership offers many benefits, including discounted CEUs, optical gear and books, as well as access to our peer-reviewed publications and journals, and eligibility for grants and awards.
To apply, email certification@wildlife.org.
Becoming a Qualified Airport Wildlife Biologist
Requirements
To obtain the QAWB designation through TWS, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be approved by TWS as a Certified Wildlife Biologist®
- Take and pass an airport wildlife hazard management training course acceptable to the FAA Administrator
- Under the direct supervision of a QAWB mentor, provide documentation of either:
- Having conducted at least one Wildlife Hazard Assessment acceptable to the FAA Administrator
- Having conducted at least one year of continual wildlife hazard monitoring at a certified airport using FAA-approved methodology
Maintaining Your Certification
To maintain this designation, applicants will need to complete at least one of the following within five years of an initial FAA-approved airport wildlife hazard management training course, and every five years after:
- Airport wildlife hazard management training course that is acceptable to the FAA Administrator
- Attendance, as a registered participant, at a Bird Strike Committee USA or Bird Strike Committee Canada meeting
- Other training acceptable to the FAA Administrator (the FAA maintains a list of upcoming wildlife hazard training courses here).
Please Note:
QAWBs previously approved by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have been grandfathered into the TWS QAWB program (regardless of any other TWS certification) but must continue to complete FAA-approved training courses and maintain membership with TWS to retain the designation.
Certified wildlife biologist®
Renewals
CWB® renewal is required every five years for all wildlife biologists not grandfathered in under the pre-2000 certification requirements. You can view your certification status online by logging into your membership portal and navigating to “Certification” under the “Your Account” tab.
Renewal demonstrates that you are actively participating in education to keep up with our constantly evolving and critically important industry.
Application & Fee
CWB® Renewal Fee
$25
TWS membership is required for all certifications.
Requirements
To renew your certification, you must log at least 80 hours of qualifying Continuing Education Units within 5 years.
- Download and complete the Certified Wildlife Biologist® renewal application form.
- Upload the application by logging in to your membership account and navigating to “Certification.”
Learn More About the Certification Process
If you have remaining questions or need any assistance with your application, please contact certification@wildlife.org.
- Read the Wildlife Biologist Certification Program Policies and Procedures Manual
- View our July 2025 informational video on TWS’ Certification Program.
- Check out our answers to some Frequently Asked Questions below.
TWS Certification FAQs
Yes. In order to apply for AWB® certification, CWB® certification or CWB® renewal, you must be a current member of The Wildlife Society. If you are approved for certification or certification renewal, your TWS membership (at the main, international level) must also remain current in order for your certification status to remain active.
Yes. In light of the changes to academic programs due to precautions surrounding COVID-19, the Certification Review Board (CRB) would like to assure students and professionals that courses taken with a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading option will not affect their ability to apply for TWS certification. Students receiving a “Satisfactory” grade will be able to include this coursework toward certification. The CRB and The Wildlife Society commend educators for their rapid response to continue providing high quality learning environments for your students and for allowing flexibility during these stressful times.
Applications are reviewd by TWS’ Certification Review Board (CRB). The board is comprised of eight TWS members who are appointed by a majority vote of Council. They are chosen to provide equitable representation of TWS sections and professional disciplines. Each member of the CRB is a Certified Wildlife Biologist®.
Scott Williams (co-chair)
Northeast Section
1st term expires: November 1, 2026
Dave Haukos
Central Mountains & Plains Section
2nd term expires: November 1, 2026
Chris Ayers
Southeastern Section
2nd term expires: November 1, 2028
Fran Cafferata
Northwest Section
2nd term expires: November 1, 2027
Don Barnes (co-chair)
Canadian Section
1st term expires: November 1, 2027
Sarah Fritts
Southwest Section
2nd term expires: November 1, 2026
Kelly Holland
Western Section
2nd term expires: November 1, 2028
Cary Chevalier
North Central Section
1st term expires: November 1, 2028
After you are approved as an AWB® or CWB® and hold current membership in TWS, you may put the AWB® or CWB® title after your name followed by the ® trademark symbol. For Example: John Smith, Certified Wildlife Biologist ®. You may also use the certification logo. Please contact ce***********@******fe.org if you would like the logo to be emailed to you.
Electronic copies of original, electronic certified, or unofficial academic transcripts are accepted. Evidence of conferral of degree(s) should be either the graduation date(s) imprinted on the transcript(s), a copy of the diploma, or, when necessary, an official letter from the academic institution confirming completion of degree requirements. Transfer credits must be listed explicitly by course on the accepting institution’s transcript or the official transcript from the original institution must be submitted. Alteration of transcripts in an attempt to falsify grades or evidence of degree conferral will result in rejection of the application and will be reported to the President as a possible Code of Ethics violation.
You only need to include transcripts if you desire credit for classes or degrees taken after you submitted your AWB® application. For example, if you want to count a Master’s or Ph.D. study as professional experience, then include your graduate school transcript, and provide an explanation of what was involved in your study.
Yes you may, as long as you have received five years of professional work experience within a ten year time frame. However, depending on the date in which the applicant received AWB® status, the Certification Manager may request that the applicant resubmit their educational experience.
We prefer that course descriptions are taken from course catalogs or course syllabi; however, if you do not have access to those descriptions, you may provide the course descriptions in your own words.
No. While it is strongly recommended that all three professional references be CWBs®, it is not a requirement. A minimum of one professional reference should be a CWB® for CWB® applications. Associate Wildlife Biologist® applicants are not required to provide professional references.
Upon notification that your application was accepted, you will receive an email prompting you to update your mailing address, if necessary.
You may use one transcript as long as it shows the courses transferred, grades received, and semester/quarter hours awarded. If this information does not appear on your final transcript, please provide transcripts from the original institutions where courses were taken.
Yes, you may substitute your graduate thesis and dissertation for up to three years of professional work experience (up to one year for a master’s degree, up to two years for a Ph.D., and up to three years for holding both). The applicant should specifically request that graduate work be counted as professional experience and include job descriptions just as for any other professional position(s) for which they are requesting consideration. Please include your graduate school transcript, provide an explanation of what was involved in your study, and why you feel your study should count as a substitution for one, two, or three years of professional experience.
No. Professional work experience is counted after you graduate and are in a job that requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
Sometimes. If your working title states “wildlife technician,” you may apply this work experience provided you explain how your role provided you with management experience and independent decision making directly related to wildlife. Traditional wildlife technician roles do not count.
You can send any coursework-related inquiries to ce***********@******fe.org to receive assistance and recommendations. However, final decisions on coursework are not made until after applications are submitted and reviewed by the Certification Review Board.
Yes, you may apply for AWB® or CWB® certification if you are missing one class, provided all specific coursework requirements are met. Please note that at least one college or university course must be listed in each category. Work experience may substitute for coursework in certain cases. If you are requesting a coursework substitution, you must provide a letter of support from an instructor or supervisor corroborating your work experience. Note that only 3 credits may be substituted for in any one category, and a maximum of 9 credits may be substituted across the entire application.