The Taxonomic Certification Program was developed by NABS in response to requests from several state and federal government agencies. To develop the program NABS struck an eleven member subcommittee of the Technical Information Committee that convened January 27-29 2002, supported and funded by the EPA, to discuss the NABS initiative to certify taxonomists. A discussion paper describing this initiative was first published in the Spring 2002 NABS Bulletin (Volume 19, Number 1). Following review of this document, the concept was presented to the Executive Committee of NABS at the annual meeting in Athens in 2003. Finally, at the Vancouver meeting the Society decided to appoint a program co-ordinator and formed the Taxonomic Certification Committee (TCC) to oversee the program. Since August 2004  Acadia University and the Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research has contracted to host the program with funding received through NABS from the USEPA, USGS and Environment Canada.
    The Program Coordinator, Dr Murray H. Colbo at Acadia University, reports through the Taxonomic Certification Committee (TCC).  TCP Test Fees are posted here.