SOCIETY FOR RANGE MANAGEMENT

1. SOCIETY FOR RANGE MANAGEMENT Certified Professional in Rangeland Management CPRM Program

2. Why did SRM develop CPRM? • Federal/State agencies were hiring generalists with Natural Resource degrees instead of Rangeland Management Specialists • Ranchers concerned about inadequate technical assistance • SRM committed to professional development of members

3. CPRM Program • SRM Professional Affairs Committee developed concept in 1998 • SRM and NRCS Memorandum of Understanding, 1999 to hire liaison to develop certification program • CPRM initiated Nov 1999

4. PURPOSE • To certify individuals who have the professional credentials required to plan and implement sound management of rangelands as a means of improving the standards of professional expertise used in managing public and private rangelands.

5. Certification Process - Education • Bachelors degree in range science/management or closely related field • Grade of “C” or better in 10 subject areas • Education must be completed prior to qualified professional experience

6. Experience • At least 5 years of full-time experience • Qualifying experience may consist of ranch employment, land management agencies, consulting, teaching, research, extension or technical assistance, or rangeland resource management/use

7. Experience • Experience is defined as actively demonstrating professional competence in the science, art and practice of effectively managing and using, for human benefit, rangeland resources. • Education towards a MS or PhD degree may be substituted for up to 2 years of experience

8. Examination • Passing score of at least 75% • Exam covers basic subject areas outlined in educational requirements • May take exam prior to completing professional experience • Once passed, applicant has 6 yrs to get the 5 yrs experience

9. References • 3 letters of reference • At least 1 letter from a CPRM, Certified Range Consultant, or CA Certified Range Manger • Applicant must also furnish a list of range professionals or ranchers with/for whom the applicant has worked during last 5 years or more

10. Fees • Initiation fee is $100 for SRM members and $200 for non-members (recruiting tool) • Penalty fees for failing to meet CEU requirements • Fees used to administer program and not as a profit center for SRM

11. Other Requirements • CEUs – 32 hours during 2 year certification period ( 1 hr class = 1 ceu; 3 hours field trip = 1 ceu • Ethics – required to adhere to SRM Standards of Conduct and Code of Ethics • Renewals must include list of 3 range professionals with whom the professional has worked

12. CPRM Status • Federal Agencies 273 • State/Local Agencies 31 • University 80 • Consulting 58 • Ranching 25 • Private 32 • Other 22 TOTAL 521

13. Lessons Learned • People take pride in being certified – 15% of membership • Provides value to belonging to professional society • Great training opportunities for agencies and SRM • Provides a focus for type of training/topics at meeting

14. Lessons Learned • Professionals receive training from a variety of sources, not just their agency - that is a GOOD THING !! • Review/approval of ceus is a major workload • Sign-In sheets are not an effective method to verify attendance at large conferences • Need to explore better way to approve/track ceus

15. Opportunities • Reciprocity of ceus – • Opportunity for SRM’s 26 sections to conduct meaningful workshops/tours for ceus & $$ • Opportunity for agencies to contract with SRM to conduct specific training • Opportunity for universities, Extension Service, & others