Under the new AAI rule, in order to qualify for liability protection, you must rely on qualified “environmental professionals” who possess specific mixes of licenses, education and relevant experience. Only qualified environmental professionals (EPs) can develop opinions and sign off on AAI-compliant reports. Further, the USEPA recommends that only qualified EPs visit the sites.

What is a qualified EP?

* Hold a current Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional Geologist (PG) license or registration from a state, tribe, or U.S. territory and have the equivalent of three years of full-time relevant experience; or

* Be licensed or certified by the federal government, a state, tribe, or U.S. territory to perform environmental inquiries and have the equivalent of three years of full-time relevant experience; or

* Have a Baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a relevant discipline and the equivalent of five years of full-time relevant experience; or

* As of the date of the final rule by the USEPA, have a Baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited institution of higher education and the equivalent of ten years of full-time relevant experience.