AI Policy
Statement on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Application and Essay Development Purpose:The Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals (ABCEP) recognizes the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern professional and academic work, including tools that support writing, research, and analysis. While AI technologies can assist in the development and refinement of written materials, including certification essays and application components, their use must be consistent with ABCEP’s values of
integrity, accountability, and professional responsibility.
The applicant’s essays establish their professional knowledge and experience while demonstrating written communication skills. The essay questions posed by ABCEP to the applicants are not meant to be directly and simply answered but to provide an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and experience. One of the most common reasons for an applicant to be denied certification is lack of personal details that explain to the reviewers the applicant’s relevant professional experience.
ABCEP Policy:Applicants are permitted to use AI tools
for assistance with editing, idea generation, and grammar correction, provided the final submission remains the original work and authentic reflection of the applicant’s
own knowledge, experience, and professional judgment.
While not necessarily a comprehensive list, the following guidance is intended to assist in application development:
- Essays and narrative components must represent the applicant’s voice. AI may support clarity and structure, but must not replace the critical thinking, or personal insight expected of certified professionals, or personal experience documented in essay responses.
- AI should not be used to fabricate or exaggerate experience, qualifications, or project outcomes. All statements must be factual, verifiable, and grounded in the applicant’s actual professional history. Generative AI systems have demonstrated a tendency to produce inaccurate or fabricated information, commonly referred to as “hallucinations.” If ABCEP finds statements in the essays unsupported by facts or supporting documentation, applicants may be asked to provide additional evidence of said facts in question.
- Plagiarism, including excessive reliance on AI-generated text or unattributed use of content, will be considered a violation of professional ethics and will result in application denial.
Applicants who chose to use AI, must do so in a responsible manner—
as a tool, not a substitute—to enhance the quality of their application while upholding the standards and credibility of the environmental profession. If AI tools are used, applicants must disclose the nature of that use in a brief note at the end of their essay response. At a minimum, this statement must include which AI platform was used and the full text of the prompt posed.
ABCEP remains committed to supporting ethical innovation while maintaining the integrity of the certification process.
