Board for Global EHS Credentialing
Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit that administers accredited professional certifications — CIH, QEP, CPPS, CPEA, EPI, CAESH, CPESH — for environmental, health, and safety professionals worldwide, with exams delivered through the Pearson VUE testing network and revenues from application, exam, and annual maintenance fees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersLansing, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Board for Global EHS Credentialing does
Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation headquartered in Holt, Michigan, that establishes and administers professional credentials for environmental, health, and safety professionals. Founded in 1960, BGC operates a portfolio of registered certification marks including Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP), Certified Professional Product Steward (CPPS), Certified Professional EHS Auditor (CPEA), Environmental Professional In-Training (EPI), and the recently launched Certified Associate/Professional in Environment, Safety, and Health (CAESH and CPESH, both 2024). The organization is governed by a Board of Directors of twelve Diplomates and one public member, holds ANAB ISO/IEC 17024 Personnel Certification Body accreditation and NCCA accreditation, and maintains memberships in CESB, IOHA, and ANSI.
BGC's operating model is a traditional professional certification body. Candidates submit documentation (transcripts, verified work experience, professional references), pay a non-refundable $160 application fee valid for two years, sit for standardized computer-based examinations administered at Pearson VUE testing centers globally (exam fees $270-$370 depending on credential), and upon passing, receive a registered certification mark. Active credential holders must maintain their status through the Certification Maintenance (CM) program established in 1979, which requires continuing education points, ethics compliance, an annual fee ($180/year for most credentials; $35 annual or $350 lifetime for retired status), and compliance audits.
BGC generates revenue from application fees, examination fees, recurring annual maintenance fees, and ancillary administrative fees (late fees, reinstatement fees, retake fees). It is not investor-backed and is funded entirely by credential holder fees. Distribution relies on the Pearson VUE global testing network, online application portals (CIH/CAPS and QEP/EPI), public rosters for employer verification, and partnerships with professional associations (AIHA, ACGIH, EHAC, IOHA). The organization had 251-500 employees per firmographic data and serves a global base of EHS practitioners, with the QEP exam designed to be free of country-specific regulatory content for international portability.
Board for Global EHS Credentialing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Board for Global EHS Credentialing
- Legal name
- Board for Global EHS Credentialing
- Website
- https://gobgc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit that administers accredited professional certifications — CIH, QEP, CPPS, CPEA, EPI, CAESH, CPESH — for environmental, health, and safety professionals worldwide, with exams delivered through the Pearson VUE testing network and revenues from application, exam, and annual maintenance fees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Board for Global EHS Credentialing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Certification Services
- NAICS
- Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Healthcare Licensing, Accreditation & Credentialing Boards (HLAJACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Credential, Education & Professional License Verification (BPAKAEAI), Secure Browser, Device Lockdown & Exam Security Tools (EDAFADAI)
Keywords
Where Board for Global EHS Credentialing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lansing
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Board for Global EHS Credentialing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Credential Application Fees: Non-refundable application and reapplication fees charged to process certification applications, verify credentials, and maintain applicant files. Application fee is valid for two years.
- Examination Fees: Fees charged for scheduling and taking certification examinations at Pearson VUE testing centers. Exam fees vary by credential type (QEP exams at $270 each, CPPS exam at $370).
- Annual Certification Maintenance Fees: Annual fees charged to credential holders to maintain their active certification status. Typically $180 per year for most credentials, with proration for first year.
- Late Fees and Reinstatement Fees: Additional fees for late payments, reactivation of expired credentials, and processing fees for various administrative actions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | QEP Application Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | QEP Examination Fees |
| Subscription | Annual | QEP Annual Maintenance Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | CPPS Application Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | CPPS Examination Fee |
| Subscription | Annual | CPPS Annual Maintenance Fee |
| Subscription | Annual | Retirement and Surrender Fees |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Board for Global EHS Credentialing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation that establishes and administers professional credentials for environmental, health, and safety (EHS) professionals. It develops psychometric examinations delivered through the Pearson VUE global testing network, processes applications, and operates a certification maintenance program requiring annual fees and continuing education.
Product overview
Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC) operates as a 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation that establishes and administers professional credentials for environmental, health, and safety professionals. The organization offers a portfolio of professional certifications including CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist), CAIH (Certified Associate Industrial Hygienist, discontinued), QEP (Qualified Environmental Professional), EPI (Environmental Professional In-Training), CPEA (Certified Professional EHS Auditor), CPPS (Certified Professional Product Steward), CPSA (Certified Process Safety Auditor, being phased out), CAESH (Certified Associate in Environment, Safety, and Health), and CPESH (Certified Professional in Environment, Safety, and Health). BGC provides a complete certification ecosystem including initial examination via Pearson VUE testing centers, certification maintenance programs with continuing education requirements, ethics oversight, public practitioner rosters, and volunteer opportunities. The organization is accredited by ANAB, NCCA, CESB, IOHA, and ANSI.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) The flagship professional certification credential for industrial hygienists, requiring education, work experience, and passing BGC's accredited standardized examination.
- Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) The first and only multi-media, multi-disciplinary, fully-accredited credential requiring environmental professionals to demonstrate broad perspective and real-world problem-solving skills. International in scope with no country-specific regulatory questions.
- Environmental Professional In-Training (EPI) An interim designation serving as a first step toward QEP status, earned by meeting academic requirements, passing the General Environmental Science (GES) exam, and agreeing to BGC's ethical code.
- Certified Professional EHS Auditor (CPEA) A unified EHS auditing certification exam combining environmental and safety auditing best practices, now delivered via the Pearson VUE testing network.
- Certified Professional Product Steward (CPPS) The first credential of its kind for product stewards, covering health, safety, regulatory compliance, legal, sustainability, and environmental aspects of products throughout their life cycle.
- Certified Associate Industrial Hygienist (CAIH) An associate-level industrial hygiene certification. The examination was discontinued in 2006 due to low demand, but the designation is still recognized and maintained through BGC's certification maintenance program for existing holders.
- Certified Associate in Environment, Safety, and Health (CAESH) A new credential announced by BGC for professionals in the EHS field at the associate level.
- Certified Professional in Environment, Safety, and Health (CPESH) A new credential announced by BGC for experienced EHS professionals at the professional level.
- Certification Maintenance (CM) Program BGC's recertification program ensuring credential holders develop and enhance professional-level knowledge and skills, with point-based recertification, ethics requirements, annual fees, and audit processes.
Companies that use Board for Global EHS Credentialing
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Board for Global EHS Credentialing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Board for Global EHS Credentialing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.
- American National Accreditation Board (ANAB)coreANAB provides ISO/IEC 17024 Personnel Certification Body accreditation to BGC, validating that BGC's certification processes meet international standards for personnel certification bodies. This accreditation is fundamental to BGC's credibility and market acceptance.
- National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)coreNCCA provides accreditation for BGC's certification programs, demonstrating compliance with industry standards for certifying agencies. NCCA accreditation adds additional validation of BGC's credential quality.
- Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB)coreCESB membership provides BGC with recognition within the engineering and scientific certification community and sets standards for BGC's certification boards.
- International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA)secondaryIOHA membership provides BGC with international recognition in the occupational hygiene field and facilitates collaboration with similar organizations worldwide.
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI)secondaryANSI membership supports BGC's participation in standardization efforts and provides additional credibility through association with the U.S. standards body.
- National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC)minorEHAC accredits environmental degree programs. Graduates of EHAC-accredited bachelor's programs can receive 6 months experience credit; EHAC-accredited master's programs receive 1 year experience credit toward QEP eligibility.
- Pearson VUEcorePearson VUE provides the global testing center network for BGC certification examinations. BGC exams are delivered at Pearson VUE centers worldwide, with computer-based testing and secure examination administration.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Board for Global EHS Credentialing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP): BCSP is a leading non-profit credentialing body for safety professionals offering credentials such as CSP, ASP, and OHST. It directly competes with BGC in adjacent EHS certification markets, particularly safety and occupational health.
- National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP): NREP certifies environmental professionals through credentials like the Registered Environmental Professional (REP). It is a direct competitor in the environmental credentialing space served by BGC's QEP and EPI.
- Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM): IHMM offers credentials like the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) and Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) competitor designations, directly overlapping with BGC's environmental and product stewardship credentials.
Broad incumbents
- National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES): NCEES develops and administers engineering and surveying licensure exams, using a Pearson VUE-style delivery model and accredited certification programs. Comparable in mission and structure as a US-based professional credentialing body.
- (ISC)²: (ISC)² is a major non-profit credentialing organization (CISSP, SSCP) using a similar Pearson VUE testing model, ANAB accreditation, and annual maintenance fee structure. It is comparable in business model and operating approach even though the domain is cybersecurity.
- International Code Council (ICC): ICC offers building safety and code professional certifications with similar accreditation-based credentialing infrastructure. Comparable in operating model as a non-profit credentialing organization serving a regulated profession.
- Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI): GBCI administers LEED credentials for sustainability professionals under a similar credentialing body structure with accreditation and maintenance fees. Comparable in operating model for EHS-adjacent sustainability professionals.
- Project Management Institute (PMI): PMI administers the PMP and related certifications globally using Pearson VUE testing and recurring maintenance fees (CCR/PDU program). Comparable to BGC in credentialing business model, scale, and global delivery structure.
- American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA): AIHA is a major professional association for industrial hygienists that partners with BGC on credential promotion. While not a direct competitor (it offers programs like the IHIT), AIHA represents the broader industry ecosystem and could expand into credentialing.
Others
- American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): ACGIH is a partner of BGC for credential promotion and standards (e.g., Industrial Ventilation Manual). It is a closely aligned standards-setting body in the same EHS field rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Board for Global EHS Credentialing social profiles
Digital presenceBoard for Global EHS Credentialing compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Board for Global EHS Credentialing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Board for Global EHS Credentialing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Board for Global EHS Credentialing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Board for Global EHS Credentialing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Board for Global EHS Credentialing
What does Board for Global EHS Credentialing do?
The Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation that establishes and administers professional credentials for environmental, health, and safety (EHS) professionals. It develops psychometric examinations delivered through the Pearson VUE global testing network, processes applications, and operates a certification maintenance program requiring annual fees and continuing education.
Is Board for Global EHS Credentialing a public or private company?
Board for Global EHS Credentialing is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Board for Global EHS Credentialing founded?
Board for Global EHS Credentialing was founded in 1979. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Board for Global EHS Credentialing based?
Board for Global EHS Credentialing is headquartered in Lansing, United States, in the North America region.
How does Board for Global EHS Credentialing make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Credential Application Fees are the primary driver. The others are examination Fees, annual Certification Maintenance Fees and late Fees and Reinstatement Fees.
Who are Board for Global EHS Credentialing's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP) and Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM). Broad incumbents are National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), (ISC)², International Code Council (ICC), Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), Project Management Institute (PMI) and American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) is listed as an others.
Does Board for Global EHS Credentialing have an API?
No public API is recorded for Board for Global EHS Credentialing.
What industry is Board for Global EHS Credentialing in?
Board for Global EHS Credentialing's product category is Professional Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJACAC, Healthcare Licensing, Accreditation & Credentialing Boards, with a secondary code of BPAKAEAI, Credential, Education & Professional License Verification. Its NAICS code is 92615.