How to Get Certified

Step 1. Application

Download the certification planning guide below to familiarize yourself with the competencies to select the level of certification that is right for you.  Submit your application to CAEE with a $25 application fee ($65 for non-members).  Applicants will receive admission notification and information about upcoming trainings or useful resources for building their portfolios within one month of submitting his/her application. 

Application Form (Word or PDF)

Step 2. Optional Mentor Assignment

You have the option of working with a mentor to complete your portfolio.  Please contact your assigned mentor at least one month prior to portfolio submission, in order to provide sufficient time to schedule meetings by phone or in person.

Step 3. Portfolio Development

This certification process is a competency-based program - one where the applicant will demonstrate what they know and can do through a portfolio.  Download the Portfolio Planning Rubric for the level of certification you are pursuing (Certified Environmental Educator or Certified Master Environmental Educator) to help you build your portfolio.  

• Certified Environmental Educator Portfolio Planning Rubric (Word or PDF)

• Certified Master Environmental Educator Portfolio Planning Rubric (Word or PDF)

There are five themes that an applicant should be proficient in to achieve certification: 

• Environmental Literacy
• Foundations of EE
• Professional Responsibilities of the Environmental Educator
• Planning and Implementing EE
• Evaluation and Assessment. 

Each theme includes competencies — statements of what individuals are expected to be able to demonstrate.  Compile pieces of evidence (e.g., essays, lesson or program plans, articles, videos)  demonstrating your mastery of the themes and competencies. 

*Remember, if you are completing a master level certification, you must submit evidence for each of the competencies.  If you are completing a portfolio as a Certified Environmental Educator, you only need to submit evidence that shows understanding of the theme as a whole.

Step 4. Submit Your Portfolio and final payment

When you feel your portfolio adequately addresses the competencies, submit:

• Cover page (PDF or Word)
• Current Resume
• Completed Portfolio Planning Guide
• Portfolio of Evidence demonstrating Mastery of EE competencies
• Certification Fee
• Signed copy of the Colorado Environmental Education Code of Ethics and Standards for Professional Conduct (PDF or Word)

Portfolios can be mailed or dropped off at the CAEE offices in Golden.  Email any electronic portions of your submission to CAEE.

                     CAEE
                     15260 S. Golden Rd.
                     Golden, CO 80401

Step 5. Portfolio Review

A Certification Peer Review Panel, composed of trained certified educators, will review each portfolio based on the rubric in the Portfolio Planning Guide.  Individuals appointed to the panel must exemplify high standards of professional judgment, competence, and integrity and are required to have Level 1: Master Environmental Educator Certification.  See the Certification Program Plan for more information on who will review your portfolio.

Step 6. Notification

Certification will be confirmed or denied in writing from the Certification Peer Review Panel.

This certification program is a competency-based process.  In addition to the files above, applicants are encouraged to refer to the Guidelines for Environmental Educators in Colorado (CAEE 2005) for additional examples and specific information for each competency.