CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

An individual with the educational background and demonstrated expertise in the art and science of applying the principles of ecology to the conservation and management of wildlife and its habitats, and is judged able to represent the profession as an ethical practitioner, will be designated as a Certified Wildlife Biologist®. The CWB® certification is valid for 5 years and may be renewed (see below).

Eligible Certified Wildlife Biologists® may add the Qualified Airport Wildlife Biologist (QAWB) designation to their credentials. Applicants must meet the qualifications laid out in FAA’s Advisory Circular 150/5200-36B regarding education, training and an approved Wildlife Hazard Assessment.

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
• 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 certificated airport using FAA-approved methodology

To maintain this designation, applicants will need to complete at least one of the following within five years of 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 Bird Strike Committee USA or Bird Strike Committee Canada meeting
• Other training acceptable to the FAA Administrator

FAA maintains a list of upcoming wildlife hazard training courses here.

Note: QAWBs previously approved by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will be grandfathered into the TWS QAWB program (regardless of any other TWS certification) but must continue to complete FAA-approved training courses and maintain membership in TWS to retain the designation.

For questions about the QAWB designation or how to apply for QAWB status, contact Jennifer Murphy, Certification and Outreach Manager, at certification@wildlife.org.

TWS membership is required to apply for certification, and to retain valid certification. If you are not yet a member, please become a member of The Wildlife Society as you will upload application materials through your member portal.

1. Complete the appropriate application form (download forms below).
2. Upload the application, transcript, and any supporting materials at https://wildlife.org/login and navigate to Your Account -> Certification
3. Once your application has been uploaded, you will be prompted to pay the application fee by credit card (see Application Fees below).

Applications are accepted on a continuing basis. Applicants should be notified of a final decision on their application within 6 months of all application materials and payment being received.

Upload all application materials at https://wildlife.org/login and navigate to Your Account -> Certification. Once all materials (application, transcripts, supporting documents, etc.) have been uploaded, you will be prompted to pay the application fee. All applications need to be filled out using Adobe Reader software.

Associate Wildlife Biologist® Application – This application is for individuals who have met the education requirements but have not yet obtained at least 5 years of professional-level wildlife experience in the previous 10 years.
Certified Wildlife Biologist® Application – This application is for individuals who have met both the education and experience requirements, and have not previously been certified as either an Associate or Certified Wildlife Biologist®. If approved, CWB® certification must be renewed every 5 years to remain valid.
Upgrade (AWB® to CWB®) Application – This application is for individuals who have previously been certified as an Associate Wildlife Biologist® and have now acquired at least 5 years of professional-level experience to be qualified for the Certified Wildlife Biologist® designation.
Associate Wildlife Biologist® Extension Application – This application is for individuals who have previously been certified as an Associate Wildlife Biologist® and are seeking Certified Wildlife Biologist® designation, but do not yet have the full 5 years of professional-level experience necessary to submit an Upgrade application.

*Please note: We are no longer accepting old AWB®/CWB®/Upgrade certification applications (those downloaded before July 1, 2016).

Application fees can be submitted via credit card once an applicant uploads their completed application and supporting materials.

• Associate Wildlife Biologist® Application:  $115 or $95*
• Certified Wildlife Biologist® Application:  $155
• Upgrade (AWB® to CWB®) Application:  $75
• Associate Wildlife Biologist® Extension Application:  $25

*Applicants meeting certain incentive criteria can pay a reduced AWB® application fee of $95.  See application for details.

Read the Wildlife Biologist Certification Program Policies and Procedures Manual.

View our May 2020 webinar on TWS’ Certification Program.

Check out our answers to some frequently asked questions.

If you a still have some questions or need any assistance with your application, please contact certification@wildlife.org.