How much do I pay to apply for the CWB application if I’m already certified as an AWB?; Applicants upgrading from AWB to CWB pay the difference in price between the current cost for the CWB application and the price they paid for the AWB application.If you are unsure of how much you paid for your AWB application, please contact TWS’ Certification Coordinator, Shannon Pederson, at 301-897-9770 X 303 or email
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Do I need to include my transcripts and fill out the educational requirements if I already submitted this information while applying for the AWB certificate? You only need to include transcripts if you desire credit for classes 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, provide an explanation of what was involved in your study, and why you feel your study should count as a substitution for professional experience.
Can I still apply for AWB or CWB if I’m missing a class in one category? Yes, you may apply for AWB or CWB if you are missing one class, provided you gained similar experience through other means (workshop, continuing education, work, etc).Please note that at least one course MUST be taken in each category (Section III,A of the Program for Certification of Professional Wildlife Biologists states “For continuing education or professional experience to substitute for educational requirements, the applicant must have at least one college or university course (at least 3 semester hours documented on a college transcript) in that educational category”).Please provide sufficient detail of why this alternative experience should be accepted as a substitute for taking a class. If you are unsure if your experience qualifies as a substitution, please contact TWS Certification Coordinator, Shannon Pederson, at 301-897-9770 X 303 or email
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Can I count wildlife technician work as professional work experience? 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 (see Section III.B of the Program for Certification of Professional Wildlife Biologists).TWS is considering creating a certification program specifically for wildlife technicians in the future.
Can I count my graduate research project as professional work experience? Yes, you may substitute your graduate thesis/dissertation for up to 3 years of professional work experience (up to 1 year for a Master’s degree and up to 2 years for a Ph.D. (see section III.B.2 of the Program for Certification of Professional Wildlife Biologists). 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 year of professional experience.
How do I calculate semester hours if my school used quarter hours? If your school awards class credit in quarter hours, please convert them to semester hours using the following formula: 1.5 quarter hours = 1 semester hour. For example, a 5 quarter hour course would be comparable to a 3.33 semester hour course (see Section III.A, Credit Hours of the Program for Certification of Professional Wildlife Biologists).
If I transferred schools, do I need to submit a transcript from both schools or will one transcript suffice? You may use one transcript as long as it shows the courses transferred, grades received, and semester/quarter hours awarded. Be sure to include course descriptions where required regardless of whether a transcript is submitted.
If my address, phone number, or e-mail changed since I applied, how do I change this information on my certification application?; Please submit any changes in your contact information to TWS Certification Coordinator, Shannon Pederson, by calling 301-897-9770 X 303 or emailing
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Do all three professional references have to be Certified Wildlife Biologists? While it is strongly recommended that all three professional references be CWBs, it is not a current requirement. A minimum of one professional reference should be a CWB.
How do I get listed on the Certification Directory once I’m approved? You will be automatically added to the Certification Directory after you are approved for AWB or CWB.
How do I change my information listed on the Certification? Please submit your requested change in contact information to TWS Certification Coordinator, Shannon Pederson, by calling 301-897-9770 X 303 or via email
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Do I have to use the school’s course catalogue description when describing all the classes I took? No, you may provide your own descriptions.
If my AWB expired already, and I did not receive the required five years of professional work experience within the ten year AWB expiration date, can I still apply for the CWB certificate? Yes you may, as long as you have received five years of professional work experience within a ten year timeframe. However, TWS does not keep expired AWB applications on file, so the CWB applicant would want to submit an entirely new application completing the application in full.
When I renew my CWB certificate, can I also apply for a Professional Development Certificate? Yes.However, there are more requirements for the Professional Development Certificate than the CWB renewal certificate.Please be sure that you satisfy both sets of criteria before applying for both certificates.
Can I apply for a Professional Development Certificate without applying for an AWB or CWB certificate? Yes.
What does certification trademark mean? After you are approved as an AWB or CWB, you may put the AWB or CWB title after your name followed by the ® trademark symbol. For Example: John Smith, Certified Wildlife Biologist ®
