Chemical engineering certifications can be a valuable asset to budding and experienced professionals across a variety of industries. Having one demonstrates to prospective employers that you know your stuff, and in some cases having a certification can play a part in your eligibility for highly-specialized job roles and career advancement in the chemical engineering field.
Having certifications in chemical engineering can improve your standing in the labor market, but not all certifications provide the same value, and some are more respected than others. This article contains a list of the highest-paying chemical engineering certifications, tips for choosing the best certifications for chemical engineering, and suggestions for exam prep resources.
What Is a Professional Certification?
A professional certification is an academic credential that verifies and validates that a person has the critical knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to perform a job and states that they have been prepared to meet the criteria for specific job roles successfully. Certifications are only awarded after they have passed the assessment of a third-party credentialing institution.
What’s the Difference Between a Certification and a Certificate?
The difference between a certification and a certificate is the process, course content, and the program outlook. Certifications are industry-standard credentials awarded by professional associations, companies, and independent organizations which certify that a person has the skills and competencies to work in a particular industry.
Certificates are diplomas awarded by colleges and vocational schools to show that students have completed a certificate program. Unlike certifications, they are gateways to an academic degree and provide fundamental knowledge for a career in the industry.
Why Is Certification in Chemical Engineering Important?
A certification in chemical engineering is important because it allows you to strengthen your industry knowledge and stay up-to-date with recent developments in the chemical engineering profession. It can also increase your marketability and demonstrates to potential employers that you are committed to improving your knowledge and expertise in your engineering discipline.
Best Chemical Engineering Certifications by Salary
| Certification | Provider | Average Salary | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineering Certification | Society of Petroleum Engineers | $115,000 | $250 |
| Certified Reliability Engineer | American Society of Quality | $112,000 | $498 |
| Six Sigma Black Belt | International Association of Six Sigma Certification | $106,000 | $395 |
| Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) | Association for Facilities Engineering | $97,000 | $700 for members; $900 for non-members |
| CCPS Certified Process Safety Professional Certification | American Institute of Chemical Engineers | $88,000 | $400 |
| Six Sigma Green Belt | American Society for Quality | $87,000 | $438 |
| Certified Chemical Engineer (CCE) | National Certification Commission in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | $80,000 | $150 for AIC members; $260 for non-members |
| Six Sigma Yellow Belt | American Society for Quality | $71,000 | $394 |
| Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator – Class III | Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) | $65,300 | $184 |
| Level II Laboratory Lubricant Analyst | International Council for Machinery Lubrication | $46,361 | $275 |
Best Chemical Engineering Certifications to Further Your Career
This certification program is offered by the Society of Petroleum Engineers to provide members with the specialized knowledge to work in the fossil fuels industry. It identifies gaps in their knowledge and focuses on updating their skillset for the newest developments in the field of engineering. This certification qualifies eligible students for a number of exciting careers working with fossil fuels.
Petroleum Engineering Certification Overview
- Average Salary: $115,000
- Cost: $800
- Requirements: Any undergraduate degree in engineering or academic training related to petroleum engineering, a minimum of four years of experience in the field of engineering, active professional membership with the Society of Petroleum Engineers
- Valid For: One year
- Exam Length: 70 multiple-choice questions in 7 hours
- Best Suited For: Chemical engineers who want to establish their career in the field of petroleum engineering in an industrial setting
Potential Careers With Petroleum Engineering Certification
This certification program trains current students for jobs in chemical engineering requiring advanced knowledge of the principles of performance evaluation, reliability fundamentals, and data management. It equips students with an improved skillset that qualifies them for leadership roles. Students learn how to improve product and system safety, maintainability, and reliability.
Certified Reliability Engineer Overview
- Average Salary: $112,000
- Cost: $498
- Requirements: Candidates must have a minimum of eight years of job experience in at least one area of the certified reliability or three years of job experience in a decision-making position. The number of required years of experience is reduced based on the applicant's level of education, with graduate degree holders being able to reduce the requirement by five
- Valid For: Three years
- Exam Length: 165 multiple-choice questions in four and a half hours
- Best Suited For: Engineers who want to improve their skillset to work as chemical engineering managers or in other leadership positions
Potential Careers With Certified Reliability Engineer
This certification provides its recipients with a comprehensive understanding of the Six Sigma principles and philosophies. It teaches students how to use quality control tools to eliminate defects and improve production processes and how to improve business results through data analysis. It’s particularly useful for any consulting engineer wanting to better manage upcoming projects.
Six Sigma Black Belt Overview
- Average Salary: $106,000
- Cost: $395
- Requirements: No prerequisites
- Valid For: Three years
- Exam Length: 150 multiple-choice and true/false questions
- Best Suited For: Business managers who want to improve business functionality
Potential Careers With Six Sigma Black Belt
The certified plant engineer program provides industry-standard knowledge needed to work any supervisory role in plants, including nuclear power plants. Its advanced-level courses cover energy, environmental engineering, controls and instrumentation, and management. It teaches students how to efficiently manage, diagnose, and solve common problems faced by engineers in managerial roles.
Certified Plant Engineer Overview
- Average Salary: $97,000
- Cost: $700 for members; $900 for non-members
- Requirements: Minimum of four years of experience occupying managerial roles in plant/facility engineering or at least six years of work experience in the field overall with a four-year degree in chemical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, architecture, or another related field. For applicants without a degree, six years of plant or industrial facilities management experience or eight years of experience in the field is required
- Valid For: Three years
- Exam Length: 100 multiple-choice questions in 8 hours
- Best Suited For: Plant engineers who want to play a key role in leading the operations of plants or facilities
Potential Careers With Certified Plant Engineer
This certification demonstrates that the chemical engineers who have earned it possess the advanced expertise and experience in process safety practices. It tests their competencies and knowledge of the latest process safety tools and techniques and qualifies them for a wide number of jobs in chemical engineering or other core engineering fields.
CCPS Certified Process Safety Professional Certification Overview
- Average Salary: $88,000
- Cost: $400
- Requirements: Minimum of 5 years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) or 10 years of work experience in a non-STEM field
- Valid For: One year
- Exam Length: 120 multiple-choice and 6 essay questions in 4 hours
- Best Suited For: Engineers who want to learn the best practices for process safety in any engineering setting
Potential Careers With CCPS Certified Process Safety Professional Certification
The Six Sigma Green Belt certification program provides advanced knowledge of the Six Sigma tools and processes. Students learn to collaborate and work under the supervision of a Six Sigma Black Belt to solve quality problems and execute quality improvement projects, as well as improve the production process to increase quality, save costs, and raise profit margins.
Six Sigma Green Belt Overview
- Average Salary: $87,000
- Cost: $438
- Requirements: Minimum of three years of work experience in at least one area of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge
- Valid For: Three years
- Exam Length: 110 multiple-choice questions in 4.5 hours
- Best Suited For: Chemical engineers who want to become specialists in process improvement in an engineering setting
Potential Careers With Six Sigma Green Belt
This certification was created by the American Institute of Chemists, Inc. (AIC) to recognize chemists and chemical engineers who have attained a certain level of education and experience and have participated in professional career development and continuing education programs. It aims to improve the skills and competencies of chemists and chemical engineers with advanced-level courses.
Certified Chemical Engineer Overview
- Average Salary: $80,000
- Cost: $150 for AIC members; $260 for non-members
- Requirements: Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry or chemical engineering
- Valid For: One year
- Exam Length: N/A
- Best Suited For: Chemists and chemical engineers who want to update their skillset to include newest developments in chemical technologies and chemical products
Potential Careers With Certified Chemical Engineer
This certification equips entry-level chemical engineers with a fundamental knowledge of Six Sigma and the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) model. Earning a Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification serves as proof of your mastery of the quality skills needed to create a positive impact in the organization you work for.
Six Sigma Yellow Belt Overview
- Average Salary: $71,000
- Cost: $394
- Requirements: No prerequisite
- Valid For: Three years
- Exam Length: 85 multiple-choice questions in 2.5 hours
- Best Suited For: Entry-level professionals who want to learn about Six Sigma and DMAIC
Potential Careers With Six Sigma Yellow Belt
The certification program was specifically developed for professionals working in physical and chemical industrial waste disposal, such as chemical engineers, laboratory analysts, and plant maintenance technologists, to increase the credibility of their environmental science skills and knowledge.
Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator Overview
- Average Salary: $65,300
- Cost: $184
- Requirements: Completion of the ABC Class I Exam and Class II Exam, at least 60 credits of postsecondary education in engineering, environmental control, or a related field of science. Four years of experience in a Class II utility or higher, including two years of experience working in a supervisory role
- Valid For: Two years
- Exam Length: Three hours
- Best Suited For: Engineering professionals who want to work in advanced positions regarding industrial and chemical processes focused on waste management
Potential Careers With Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator
This certification proves that a chemical engineer has the skills and expertise required to work as a laboratory technician in laboratory-based settings in the lubricant analysis field. It builds on the Level I certification, delving into more complex activities such as advanced diagnostics, lab process management, and instrument error troubleshooting.
Level II Laboratory Lubricant Analyst Overview
- Average Salary: $46,361
- Cost: $275
- Requirements: Candidates must hold a Level I LLA certification and have a minimum of 24 months of work experience in the field of laboratory lubricant testing and analysis or one year of work experience in the lubricant analysis field or 24 hours of training relevant to the Level I LLA Body of Knowledge
- Valid For: Three years
- Exam Length: 100 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours
- Best Suited For: Laboratory lubricant analysts who want to improve their knowledge and earning potential
Potential Careers With Level II Laboratory Lubricant Analyst
How to Choose the Best Chemical Engineering Certification for Your Career
Knowing how to choose the best chemical engineering certification for your career can be difficult, considering the vast number of available options. That being said, you can narrow your options by conducting proper research, considering your interests and career goals, and having an idea of how much value you’ll get from becoming certified.
Conduct Proper Research
It’s important to know what each certification entails before you sign up. Consider what requirements the certification has, whether or not it’s recognized in the industry, and what the costs of the examination, membership, and renewal are. Keeping these factors in mind will help you make an informed decision and select the best chemical engineering certification.
Keep Your Interests and Career Goals In Mind
If you’re passionate about building a particular skillset or want to delve into a particular industry, make sure that the certifications you’re interested in benefit those goals. The Petroleum Engineering Certification from the Society of Petroleum Engineers, for example, can provide fundamental knowledge for chemical engineers who want a career in the oil and gas sector.
Consider the Value of Becoming Certified
It is important to understand the value of certifications before you make a choice. If a certification can increase your professional credibility, salary, job standing, and professional growth, it may be a great option for you. If a certification won’t directly help you in one or more of those areas, considering a different certification is advisable.
Which Chemical Engineering Certifications Pay the Most?
The chemical engineering certifications that pay the most are the Petroleum Engineering Certification, Certified Reliability Engineer, Six Sigma Black Belt, Certified Plant Engineer, and CCPS Certified Process Safety Professional Certification.
Highest-Paying Chemical Engineering Certifications
- Petroleum Engineering Certification: $115,000
- Certified Reliability Engineer: $112,000
- Six Sigma Black Belt: $106,000
- Certified Plant Engineer: $97,000
- Six Sigma Green Belt: $88,000
Which Chemical Engineering Certifications Are the Best for Beginners?
The chemical engineering certifications that are best for beginners are the Six Sigma Yellow Belt and the Certified Chemical Engineer. These certifications provide basic level knowledge that is tailored toward beginners and entry-level professionals. They also do not require any work experience.
Best College Certificate Programs
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How to Prepare for Your Chemical Engineering Certification Exam
You can prepare for your chemical engineering certification exam by taking chemical engineering exam prep courses as well as delving into some other resources such as books, online communities, and websites. Most certifications provide a series of courses online and resources that cover the scope of knowledge that the exam tests for.
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Best Courses to Prepare for Chemical Engineering Certification Exams
In this section, we’ve put together a detailed list of some of the best chemical engineering prep courses you can use to prepare for certification exams. We’ve included information such as the cost, duration, and provider of each course. Keep in mind that these courses are designed to prepare you for a specific certification and are generally not interchangeable.
- Cost: $1095 for AIChE members; $1,425 for non-AIChE members
- Duration: 18 hours
- Best Suited For: CCPS Certified Process Safety Professional Certification
This online course prepares students for the CCPS Certified Process Safety Professional Certification, introducing students to the four pillars of Risk-Based Process Safety (RBPS). This is one of the best career specializations as students learn how to design, implement, and maintain an RBPS system to help companies meet their goals in consideration of the allocated resources they have.
- Cost: Free
- Duration: 12 months
- Best Suited For: Six Sigma Black Belt
This course builds on the foundational knowledge of Six Sigma and the DMAIC process and covers the intersection between the Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. Students who take this course also learn about organizational planning and development, design for Six Sigma, and team management.
- Cost: Free
- Duration: 5 months
- Best Suited For: Six Sigma Green Belt
This course teaches students the advanced components used by Six Sigma and Lean and focuses on building their knowledge of Six Sigma’s principles and tools. Students who take this course learn how to improve business processes, quality assurance, and performance.
- Cost: $1,350 for AFE members; $1,600 for non-AFE members
- Duration: 16 hours
- Best Suited For: Certified Plant Engineers
This course was specifically created to equip professional engineers with the knowledge to accurately diagnose and solve technical problems encountered in plants and facilities. It covers a wide range of advanced topics in the Certified Plant Engineer Certification exam.
Other Resources to Prepare for Your Chemical Engineering Certification Exams
Outside of online courses, there are chemical engineering exam prep resources such as books, websites, and online communities which you can use to prepare for your certification exam. Below is a list of some great resources you can include among your study materials for your chemical engineering exam prep.
SPE Petroleum Engineering Certification and PE License Exam Reference Guide
This is a one-stop resource that contains all the key industry concepts, terminologies, equations, and formulas that would be tested in the SPE petroleum engineering certification examination. It covers reservoir engineering, drilling engineering, formation evaluation, production engineering, and petroleum economics.
SPE Petroleum Engineering Certification and PE License Exam Reference Guide Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $30
- Ideal For: Students preparing for the SPE Petroleum Engineering Certification exam
Guidelines for Risk-Based Process Safety
This book provides essential knowledge of chemical engineering process safety management guidelines such as the best safety practices on how to manufacture, consume, and handle chemicals and improve the process safety management in the chemical engineering field. It’s designed for students preparing for the CCPS Process Safety Professional Certification exam.
Guidelines for Risk-Based Process Safety Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $174
- Ideal For: People preparing for the CCPS Certified Process Safety Professional Certification
The Certified Reliability Engineer Handbook, Third Edition
This book was specifically prepared to provide instruction to professional engineers who want to take the Certified Reliability Engineer Certification exam. The book covers core concepts, including performance monitoring, root cause analysis, leadership, and quality triangles.
The Certified Reliability Engineer Handbook Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $135 ($95 for ASQ members)
- Ideal For: People preparing to take the Certified Reliability Engineer Certification exam
The Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt Handbook
This is a reference manual covering the key concepts tested in the ASQ’s Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification examination. The manual provides readers with the basic knowledge of Six Sigma, including process improvement and variation reduction, and even comes with a CD-ROM loaded with practice questions and recorded webinars.
The Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt Handbook Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $105 ($74 for ASQ members)
- Ideal For: People who want to take the ASQ’s Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification examination
Best Online Courses
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Chemical Engineering Job Outlook and Average Salary
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for chemical engineers is positive, with the number of available jobs projected to grow by approximately nine percent between 2020 and 2030. This translates to about 1,800 new job openings each year in the next decade.
While the average annual salary for a chemical engineer sits at $105,550, what you can earn as one depends on your skills, certifications, location, employer, and industry. The highest-earning chemical engineers work in engineering services, research-based positions, and wholesale trade, as well as the petroleum and coal manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries.
Best Chemical Engineering Jobs After Certification
The best chemical engineering jobs after certification include quality systems engineers, reservoir engineers, manufacturing engineers, process control engineers, and senior chemical engineers. The number of Certified Chemical Engineer jobs is high thanks to its encompassing various fields and specializations. Also, professionals can pursue a remote job opportunity if their skills can be applicable to a specific role.
A reservoir engineer is responsible for optimizing recovery plans for the extraction of oil and gas from the earth's surface. They employ numerical simulation techniques to analyze oil fields and forecast reservoir potential. The Petroleum Engineer Certification is the best certification for engineers wanting to work in this position.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Petroleum Engineer Certification. This certification equips its holders with the specialized knowledge necessary to begin a career in the petroleum industry.
This team of engineers holds leadership positions in chemical plants. They are responsible for coordinating and supervising other engineers that work below them and perform administrative tasks such as budgeting, employee training, and staff development. Strong communication skills are necessary, as well as experience working as a chemical engineer.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Certified Chemical Engineer. This certification proves that a chemical engineer has the experience and knowledge needed to succeed in high-level positions in chemical engineering.
Process control engineers work in manufacturing plants that produce metals, chemicals, and other materials and are responsible for designing, testing, and coordinating the implementation of new processes in the production industry. They also optimize processes and design quality control systems.
Best Certification for the Job Role
CCPS Certified Process Safety Professional Certification. This certification provides engineers with knowledge of the best process safety practices for effective process design.
A quality systems engineer ensures that the products and processes used by an organization meet set requirements for quality. They conduct quality checks on tools and materials to find defects as well as opportunities for improvement. They also develop quality control measures and train employees on safety measures.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Certified Plant Engineer. This diploma certifies that a chemical engineer has the necessary skillset to oversee the manufacturing process in a plant facility.
Manufacturing engineers oversee the production processes in an industrial setting. They research and develop ways to design and build chemical products using computer-aided design software. These professionals are also tasked with finding and applying innovative solutions to production issues.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Certified Chemical Engineer. This certification demonstrates a chemical engineer’s expertise in coordinating a chemical manufacturing process.
Best Chemical Engineering Associations
The best chemical engineering associations are the American Chemical Society (ACS), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), and the International Association of Engineers (IAENG).
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Founded in 1876, ACS is a non-profit scientific organization with the primary purpose of improving the lives of people through chemistry. It has a membership of over 151,000 members from 140 countries. It is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and in general professionals with a degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or related fields in the chemical industry.
American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
This is the world’s leading association of chemical engineering professionals. It has over 60,000 members from over 110 countries and provides them with the resources and information they need to build a career in any area of chemical engineering. Students and practicing engineers can become members and benefit from their network of top chemical engineering professionals.
Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
This association is one of many professional qualifying bodies for chemical, biochemical, and process engineers. It has a network of over 30,000 members in over 100 countries and helps its members build expertise, gain experience, and attain professional registration in the chemical industry.
Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)
This is a non-profit community of energy professionals dedicated to improving energy efficiency for a clean and sustainable future. It aims to shape the future of energy generation through renewable energy awareness, education, networking, recognition, and professional certification.
International Association of Engineers Society of Chemical Engineering
The International Association of Engineers was founded in 1968. Its Society of Chemical Engineering aims to promote collaboration between chemical engineers with professionals across many different industries to advance the application of engineering techniques both in and out of academia.
Are Chemical Engineering Certifications Worth It?
Yes, chemical engineering certifications are worth it because they give you a chance to learn the critical skills you need to land high-profile jobs and improve your standing in the job market. They build on the basics of chemical engineering and can offer specialized knowledge that chemical engineers can use to make a transition into different industries. Some certifications are also required for specific positions.
Additional Reading About Chemical Engineering
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Chemical Engineering Certifications FAQ
The branches of chemical engineering include biochemical engineering, biomedical engineering, environmental science, petroleum engineering, analysis of chemical reactions, nanotechnology, and industrial engineering. Students in a chemical engineering degree program can choose to work in any one of these areas.
The best chemical engineering certifications are Six Sigma Black Belt, Certified Chemical Engineer, Petroleum Engineering Certification, and Certified Plant Engineers because they provide you with the highest earning potential.
The typical entry requirements for a degree in chemical engineering are a minimum GPA of 3.0 and high standardized test scores. Depending on the program, prospective chemical engineers may also be asked to submit letters of recommendation and a writing sample.
The different types of chemical engineers are manufacturing engineers, plastics engineers, safety engineers, pharmaceutical engineers, process engineers, and petroleum engineers. There are several engineering careers an experienced chemical engineer can pursue.
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