Registered Environmental Technician Registration | REnvTech

Becoming a REnvTech demonstrates that an individual has been judged by their peers to be meeting professional standards, as well as implementing and supporting good environmental practices. This incorporates not only knowledge and awareness, but skills and application of knowledge in practice. REnvTech is an external verification that sets you apart from your peers.

A REnvTech must be able to demonstrate:

• Evidence of their contribution to sustainability and environmental management.
• Supervisory or technical responsibility.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Personal commitment to professional standards, recognising obligations to society, the profession and the environment.

Using the post-nominal letters “REnvTech” after your name provides an easy way for professionals to signal this environmental competence and broad professionalism to employers, stakeholders, colleagues and clients.

All REnvP registrants have committed to following a Code of Professional Conduct and the undertaking of Continued Professional Development (CPD). These two commitments showcase to employers, stakeholders, decision makers and clients that the individual remains consistently at the standard they expect of a competent environmental technician. Registrants are highly trusted due to the external verification of their up to date abilities.

An environmental qualification is a fantastic step to gaining knowledge of environmental matters, but how do you show that you have kept this knowledge up to date as innovations, legal requirements and good practices change? Professional registration is the answer. Continuous learning is embedded into the requirements for retaining a registration.

Registered environmental professionals (CEnv, REnvP and REnvTech) cite increased confidence and professional credibility as the biggest benefits of their registration (2021 registrant survey). REnvTech is an achievement that verifies competence in the environmental aspects of your work and overall professionalism. The internal and external recognition that this provides is highly valuable.

Proven competence is needed more than ever before when it comes to tackling environmental challenges and sustaining good practice. As we face environmental challenges large and small, we need those with the know-how, skills and commitment to thrive in their work. Proven competence also goes beyond implementation, by helping to enhance public trust, respect and widespread buy-in.

From an organisational perspective, employing REnvTech registrants ensures operational teams and the potential leaders of tomorrow help businesses continually make sustainable operational decisions day in, day out. This is increasingly necessary as customers demand transparency and higher ethical standards.

Environmental professionals exists in all sectors – from core environmental management to engineering, science to agriculture, chemicals to transport. The opportunities to make a difference as a core environmental professional or an environmental specialist within another discipline are growing and increasingly valued.

The positive impacts of a professional, global environmental workforce are huge.

Through consultations conducted in 2020, employers frequently noted professional registrations as a step within their internal progression frameworks. For example, to become a Senior Consultant, you are expected to hold CEnv registration. In many instances, REnvTech will be viewed as a signal of your intent to progress to REnvP and on to Chartership in the coming months/years.

Gaining REnvTech registration could result in more influence, securing that illusive promotion, being able to co-ordinate projects, trust to contribute to reports and opportunities to further develop your practical skills.

As part of your career goals, you may wish to use REnvTech as a clear pathway to achieve Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) registration. The competence requirements of REnvTech and REnvP registration are directly linked, offering a progressionary route to your goal. After that, Chartership?

Whilst working towards the additional knowledge and experience required to achieve REnvP registration, you can demonstrate your ambition and commitment with REnvTech registration.

As an added benefit, your experience of applying for and achieving REnvTech can only benefit your future REnvP application. You will gain an understanding of the process in general, the level of detail assessors expect, the application formats and many Licensed Members can advise on the missing elements to achieve REnvP.

No matter what discipline their work covers, each REnvTech registrant is committed to the same standards of environmental professionalism. You will be part of a global community of professionals who have committed to address environmental challenges and progress opportunities. The CEnv, REnvP and REnvTech registrations bring you together with over 7,500 professionals. And we think that is hugely important to creating a more sustainable world.

You can connect with peers on our dedicated CEnv, REnvP and REnvTech LinkedIn group.

To apply for and to retain REnvTech registration you must be a member of a professional body licensed by SocEnv (a “Licensed Member”) at an appropriate membership grade. A selection of our Licensed Members hold a REnvTech licence, which grants them the opportunity to offer the REnvTech registration to their members who meet the eligibility criteria and competence requirements.

The requirements for the appropriate grade of membership within each Licensed Member will vary. If you do not already hold membership of a Licensed Member, it’s worth exploring the options available to match your area of knowledge and career goals.

SocEnv’s Licensed Members cover a vast range of sectors, specialisms and disciplines. Click here for details of which SocEnv Licensed Members offer REnvTech registration.

Your REnvTech application will be co-ordinated and conducted by your chosen Licensed Member. Contact their membership team to discuss your eligibility for REnvTech registration. We would then recommend exploring the the next steps in the application process, the support available to you, any timelines / deadlines involved and the applicable application and annual renewal fees. Peer mentoring, registration workshops and application guidance packs can be highly valuable.

The Licensed Member will provide your REnvTech application documents for you to complete and return to them.

This submission comprises of a completed application form evidencing how you meet the 11 REnvTech competences (see “REnvTech competences” section below). Additional supporting information may also be requested by the Licensed Member, which could include a CV, CPD record, report examples and/or qualification certificates.

When completing your application, make use of the support available. Make contact with a colleague who has already completed the REnvTech, REnvP or CEnv application – their experience could be invaluable.

To accompany your application, you will need to supply details of two sponsors to verify the details you have provided. Further details of who can be a sponsor will be provided by the Licensed Member.

The format of the REnvTech application form differs between Licensed Members, but all assess applications to the same standards using the 11 REnvTech competences.

REnvTech applicants might* be invited to complete a Professional Review Interview (PRI) with the Licensed Member. Generally informal in nature, the interview panel will include at least one current CEnv, REnvP or REnvTech registrant and will take the format of a discussion about your application and how you have achieved each competence. An interview tend to be completed in one hour.

The prevalence of video conferencing facilities now simplifies the logistics of the PRI, increasing accessibility to more isolated areas around the world and to those who experience accessibility challenges.

*Not all Licensed Members request a PRI with REnvTech applicants as standard. This generally depends on the alignment with the processes involved in the application for their equivalent level of membership. A Licensed Member may also request or offer a PRI if:

• they believe it could allow you to expand on certain elements of your application to benefit your aim of meeting all competence requirements
• they believe it would be appropriate
• a reasonable adjustment is appropriate to support the candidate’s accessibility needs.

If successful in your application submission and Professional Review Interview (if applicable), your final step is to sign SocEnv’s Code of Professional Conduct and agree to undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Once complete, an official REnvTech registration certificate will be in the post very shortly. You can then add “REnvTech” after your name on email signatures, LinkedIn profiles, CVs, tender applications and more.

SocEnv’s Code of Professional Conduct:

• Act in accordance with the best principles for the mitigation of environmental harm and the enhancement of environmental quality;
• Strive to ensure that the uses of natural resources are fair and sustainable, taking account of the needs of a diverse society;
• Use my skills and experience to serve the needs of the environment and society;
• Serve as an example to others for responsible environmental behaviour;
• Not engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation or discrimination; and
• Commit to maintaining my personal professional competence and strive to uphold the integrity and competence of my profession.

Application of knowledge and understanding of the environment to further the aims of sustainability:

A1 Understand the sustainability principles applicable to the management of the environment.

1. Interpret environmental information and ideas to enable further analysis.
2. Be aware of the environmental nature of the area of study or work.
3. Be aware of the importance of maintaining and enhancing natural cycles and biodiversity.

A2 Apply environmental knowledge and principles in pursuit of sustainable environmental management

1. Use appropriate skills to address situations that affect environmental factors.
2. Apply appropriate methodologies for sustainable environmental management.
3. Understand and work within contracts and arrangements with other stakeholders.

A3 Identify, analyse, and anticipate the impact of problems and environmental trends to develop practical sustainable solutions

1. Demonstrate an awareness of the impact of problems.
2. Identify and communicate problems and contribute to their assessment.
3. Understand current environmental matters and trends reflecting relevant heritage where appropriate.
4. Identify, adapt and use appropriate methods and skills to develop practical sustainable solutions.

Leading Sustainable Management of the Environment

B1 Promote behavioral and cultural change by influencing others to secure environmental improvements that go beyond statutory requirements

1. Be aware of and implement good practices that go beyond statutory requirements.
2. Support others to understand the wider environmental context.
3. Encourage sustainable management of the environment by highlighting issues, potential risks, benefits and opportunities, and encourage others to contribute to environmental protection and improvement.

B2 Develop and maintain a strategic environmental approach

1. Develop and undertake some well-defined tasks to try and achieve sustainable development and environmental improvement.
2. Recognise the benefit of inclusion and diversity and work with others to tackle environmental challenges.
3. Implement environmentally appropriate techniques, skills, methods, processes and behaviours.
4. Be aware of, and contribute to, the management of risks to the environment, encompassing health and safety, business, and reputation.

B3 Demonstrate leadership and management skills.

1. Exercise judgement in undertaking tasks within broad but generally well-defined parameters to address common environmental and sustainability issues.
2. Support others to deliver environmental and sustainability objectives.
3. Contribute to the identification of a task and plan for its development.
4. Contribute to continuous environmental improvement.

Effective Communication and Interpersonal Skills

C1 Communicate the environmental case, confidently clearly and competently.

1. Support the delivery of presentations.
2. Contribute to debates, meetings, and discussions.
3. Engage with a range of stakeholders.

C2 Ability to liaise with, negotiate with, handle conflict and advise others, in individual and/or group environments (either as a leader or member).

1. Consider the opinions and contributions of others.
2. Consider the motives and attitudes of others.
3. Inform decision-making and support group decisions.
4. Recognise and raise awareness of potential conflict within groups, and tasks.

Personal commitment to professional standards, recognising obligations to society, the profession and the environment

D1 Plan, undertake and evaluate CPD activities to maintain and enhance competence in area of practice.

1. Plan, undertake, reflect on, and evaluate CPD activities.

D2 Assess and resolve environmental ethical issues.

1. Support others in the resolution of environmental ethical issues.
2. Identify problems arising from inadequate ethical environmental practice.

D3 Understand demonstrate and advocate compliance with relevant codes of conduct and practice.

1. Understand and comply with relevant codes of conduct and practice.

REnvTech initial registration and ongoing annual renewal fees will be charge by, and paid to, your chosen Licensed Member.

Fees charged vary between each Licensed Member. This is because SocEnv charges every Licensed Member a set amount for each REnvTech registrant they have – the Licensed Member then has the option to add appropriate administration and processing fees to meet their financial needs.

Fees charged can typically be found through the Licensed Member website. Most are also available to view in the Licensed Member section of our website, here.

Initial registration fees start from £49.40 (includes first year of registration), with annual renewals fees starting at £24.70.

In short – no, you don’t need one particular qualification to apply for or achieve REnvTech registration.

An applicant is required to have environmental knowledge equivalent to a level 3 qualification (e.g. A level or an advanced apprenticeship), demonstrated either through achievement of a relevant level 3 qualification (or above) or through the submission of work deemed to be at an equivalent level by the registration assessors.

Education levels explained

Visit the UK Government website, here.

This is a question with a lot of answers! We have provided some examples below, but this is just a small selection.

A REnvTech can be in a core environmental role, such as:

• Environment Officer
• Biodiversity Officer
• Assistant Environmental Consultant
• Environmental Scientist
• Air Quality Research Assistant
• Carbon Reduction Advisor
• EIA Consultant

Plus, they can be environmental specialists within another core area, such as:

• Water Process Optimiser
• Water Quality Technician
• Technical Support Advisor
• Forestry Technician
• Tree Surveyor
• Graduate Consultant
• SHEQ Co-ordinator
• Bio Resources Technician
• Catchment Planner
• Incident Manager
• Flood Prevention Technician
• Building Engineer
• CSR Officer
• Team Leader
• Plant Manager
• Chemical Scientist

Inspiration

To find out more about what current registrants do, please check out our registrant profiles and the EnvCast podcast – environmental professionals in conversation.

You will apply for REnvTech registration via one of the professional bodies known as our “Licensed Members”. There are a number of professional body routes you can take, which can be found in our Licensed Member section – simply look out for “REnvTech” noted next to the name of the professional body.

To apply for REnvTech you must also be a member of the chosen professional body (Licensed Member), which means that you will need to meet their membership criteria too. We recommend joining a Licensed Member that aligns with your career and area of knowledge.

Two main options are available to you:

1. Check out our current Licensed Members to find a suitable professional body to join as a secondary membership, making sure they offer REnvTech to members. You will then be able to apply for REnvTech registration via the chosen professional body. Please note, you must meet the membership requirements of the new Licensed Member.
2. Explore the concept of your current professional body becoming a new Licensed Member with SocEnv (or adding REnvTech to their SocEnv licenses). We would be happy to support you with this process, so please do contact us to get the ball rolling.

Yes, you can apply from anywhere in the world.

15% of current registrants are based outside of the UK. You will be joining a global community of professionals tackling environmental challenges and moving towards a more sustainable future.

Generally, yes.

You can transfer your CEnv registration to another Licensed Member at no cost, but you must meet the new member’s requirements. Contact your current Licensed Member to request the transfer.

Reinstatement

Were you registered as a REnvTech in past years, let your registration lapse, but would like to register to become a REnvTech again? It might be easier to reinstate your REnvTech registration than you think!

If you have been unable to continue as a REnvTech registrant in recent years, you may still be able to reinstate as a registrant again without the need to complete the full application process.

To be able to do this without the need to complete the full application process again, you must;

• still be a member of one of our Licensed Members at an appropriate level
• be able to provide CPD records as evidence of maintained competence for the lapsed period, with an up to date CV to also be provided
• apply for reinstatement within three years of your last year as a registrant.

If you intend to apply for reinstatement beyond three years, you are required to complete the REnvTech application process again, in full, to establish to the satisfaction of the Licensed Member that the competences are still met.

To begin the reinstatement process, please contact the membership team at the Licensed Member that you previously held your registration with. If we can assist in any way or provide further information, please do contact us.