To be eligible for IPAN-SoTLAN certification, all applicants must meet the applicable pre-requisites for their chosen certification category (have necessary experience and education), complete the Application Form for Certification and pay the non-refundable application and examination fees.
When applications are received at IPAN-SoTLAN office, they are acknowledged through mail to all applicants and then, applicant information is compiled in the certification database. The experience, education, training, etc. given on the application is then collated by IPAN-SoTLAN.
The collated applications are then reviewed to verify applicants’ eligibility. If the application is approved, then the applicant will receive a notification by email on examination process/schedule and fees. If the application is rejected, the applicant will be notified and may be asked to supply more information if warranted.
The initial certification involves a rigorous examination designed by subject matter experts in each category of certification. After completing the written examination, results are sent to candidates in approximately 8 weeks after the examination and successful candidates are awarded certification (valid for three years based on calendar days) along with information about their IPAN-SoTLAN Certification Credential (Certificate, Certification Mark and Logo).
IPAN-SoTLAN certifications are valid for three years (based on calendar days). To maintain certification, each certified person must pay his/her annual certification maintenance fees and demonstrate annually that he/she is still performing tasks that are related to the certification. Every year, IPAN-SoTLAN certified persons shall provide IPAN-SoTLAN with relevant details and applicable records of analytical laboratory analysis related tasks that they have performed including contact details of supervisors/superiors who can validate these tasks.
IPAN-SoTLAN shall confirm certified persons’ annual records of job experience and educational/professional development through random selection of some of their referred contacts. Certified persons who do not maintain and renew their certification may no longer refer to themselves as certified by IPAN-SoTLAN. Related tasks include but not limited to, real laboratory work, attendance of relevant trainings, workshops and conferences, conducting laboratory training, etc.
Application Form for Certification Examination (PDF version) is available on the IPAN-SoTLAN website (www.ipan-sotlancb.com) during the scheduled registration period. Candidates must submit their applications with payment to IPAN-SoTLAN during the registration period to be considered for the examination. No application will be considered without complete information (as applicable) and full payment.
Examinations are conducted twice a year. The deadline to apply/pay for each examination will be posted on our website and communicated to applicants at the point of applying and at least a month before the examination date.
Upon payment of their examination fees, candidates can change their examination date to a future date provided it is within the same examination year. Only one change of examination date (through a formal notification to IPAN-SoTLAN not less than two (2) weeks before the initial exam day) is allowed at no additional fee but the second rescheduling of examination date is subject to a fee of half the initial exam fee that was paid.
If a candidate do not take his/her examination and have already rescheduled once, the examination will not be automatically transferred to the next available date. Once candidates’ applications have been approved, they will be emailed instructions on payment of non-refundable examination fees. If a candidate fails to register/pay for the examination within the stated period, his/her application will no longer be valid, such candidate will have to reapply to take the examination at subsequent time (i.e. download a new application form, complete, submit it after payment of another application fees as application forms cannot be rescheduled).
Non-refundable Application, Examination and Annual Certification Maintenance Fees for each category of certification:
ALL FEES SHOULD BE PAID INTO:
ACCOUNT NAME – IPAN-SOTLAN CONFORMANCE SYSTEMS LTD.
ACCOUNT NO. – 0337313753
BANK – GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC.
Eligibility Requirements (Refer to Certification Scheme for more details).
|
CATEGORY OF CERTIFICATION |
FEES (NAIRA) | ||
| APPLICATION | EXAMINATION | CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE | |
| Certified Laboratory Analyst (CLA) | 5,000 | 50,000 | 10,000/annum |
| Certified Water Analyst (CWA) | 5,000 | 55,000 | 15,000/annum |
| Certified Environmental Analyst (CEA) | 5,000 | 55,000 | 15,000/annum |
Education: Higher National Diploma (HND) in Science Laboratory Technology or Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) Degree in Biochemistry; Chemistry; Food Science and Technology; Industrial Chemistry; Microbiology or Pharmacy.
Work Experience: A minimum of two (2) years cognate post-qualification experience in an analytical laboratory.
An analytical laboratory means a third party/private; or quality control; or standards and regulatory; or research and tertiary institutions’ laboratories. In addition, candidates should be able to personally take readings and measurements from laboratory apparatus and equipment and walk within the laboratory work area without any attendant safety concerns.
Education:
1) Certified Laboratory Analyst (CLA)
2) Higher National Diploma (HND) in Science Laboratory Technology or Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) Degree in Biochemistry; Chemistry; Environmental Science/Toxicology; Food Science and Technology; Industrial Chemistry; Microbiology or Pharmacy
3) Masters of Science (M. Sc.) or Doctor of Philology (Ph.D.) Degree in Analytical Chemistry; Biochemistry; Chemistry; Environmental Science/Toxicology; Food Science and Technology; Industrial Chemistry; Microbiology or Pharmaceutical Chemistry/Analysis.
Work Experience:
i) For Certified Laboratory Analyst (CLA), a minimum of one (1) year cognate experience in an analytical or water laboratory.
ii) For (2) above, a minimum of three (3) years cognate post-qualification experience in an analytical laboratory.
iii) For (3) above, a minimum of one (1) year cognate post-qualification experience in an analytical laboratory.
Education:
1) Certified Laboratory Analyst (CLA) or Certified Water Analyst (CWA)
2) Higher National Diploma (HND) in Science Laboratory Technology or Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) Degree in Biochemistry; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Environmental Science/Toxicology; Industrial Chemistry; or Microbiology.
3) Masters of Science (M. Sc.) or Doctor of Philology (Ph.D.) Degree in Biochemistry; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Environmental Science/Toxicology; Industrial Chemistry; or Microbiology.
Work Experience:
i) For (1) above Certified Laboratory Analyst (CLA), a minimum of one (1) year cognate experience in an analytical or water laboratory.
ii) For (2) above, a minimum of three (3) years cognate post-qualification experience in an analytical laboratory
iii) For (3) above, a minimum of one (1) year cognate post-qualification experience in an analytical laboratory.
IPAN-SoTLAN has a defined process through which complaints and appeals from applicants, examination candidates and certified persons will be addressed and reviewed. Appeals may be applied to any decision made by IPAN-SoTLAN including but not limited to:
- Declined application to take an examination
- Failing score on an examination
- Denial or revocation of certification for any reason
- Action in response to an examination center complaint
- Failure to meet Professional Development requirements
Any applicant who wishes to request modifications in the examination environment because of a disability must notify IPAN-SoTLAN office in writing at the time of application and provide a letter of diagnosis from an appropriate medical professional specifying the needed modification. Such request will consider modification of the testing condition on a case-by-case basis.
IPAN-SoTLAN will work directly with the applicant and invigilators at the examination centers to make modifications in the testing environment so that an individual with a disability can take an examination under conditions, which will accurately reflect the individual’s aptitude or achievement level. Once a candidate has received their examination notification, requests for testing modifications will not be accepted.