Levels of Certification

Spectroscopist in Training  

• Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher degree in chemistry or a related STEM program with at least 9 credit hours related to spectroscopy from an accredited college or university.  The committee may consider experience over education in its review.
• The Spectroscopist in Training certification category is intended to document quality education in chemistry with a spectroscopy concentration to aid the students’ ability to obtain employment, encourage graduating students to remain active in SAS, inspire existing students to continue their degree pursuit, and remind graduating students of the importance of adhering to the guiding principles of conduct described in the SAS Code of Ethics.

Associate Spectroscopist

• Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher degree in chemistry or a related STEM program with at least 9 credit hours related to spectroscopy from an accredited college or university, The committee may consider experience over education in its review.
• AND at least one (1) year of post-graduate professional experience* gained in the performance of research or data analysis demonstrating technical competence in current application of spectroscopic principles and/or theory.  Relevant experience should have been gained at least within the last five (5) years.

Spectroscopist

• Successful completion of a master’s or higher degree in chemistry or a related STEM program with a focus on spectroscopy from an accredited college or university and at least two (2) years of full-time equivalent professional experience* after degree;
• OR at least five (5) years of professional experience* in addition to the education requirement for Associate Spectroscopist;  The committee may consider experience over education in its review.
• AND in addition to the experience required for Associate Spectroscopist, demonstration of ability to perform professional work in spectroscopy, such as laboratory analysis or instrument design work within the large field of spectroscopy, must follow completion of the education requirement for qualification at the Spectroscopist level.  Relevant experience should have been gained at least within the last five (5) years.

Senior Spectroscopist

• Successful completion of a doctoral degree in chemistry or a related STEM program with a focus on spectroscopy from an accredited college or university, and at least five (5) years of full-time equivalent professional experience* after degree,
• OR at least ten (10) years of professional experience* after completion of the minimum education requirements for certification (qualifying bachelor’s degree or completion of required coursework in post-baccalaureate courses). The committee may consider experience over education in its review.
• Additional experience necessary to qualify at this level includes:
  • Demonstration, in work output, of thorough knowledge of the literature and scientific principles and theories of spectroscopy;
  • Demonstration of written original contributions or original interpretation of spectroscopic information; and
  • Demonstration of technical or organizational competence as evidenced by supervision of projects.