Summary

The Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) is a practical assessment designed to evaluate a person’s ability to identify vascular plants. Its primary goal is to measure botanical identification skills in realistic field conditions using a diverse selection of plant species.

Description

Candidates participate in a FISC assessment day that comprises of 3 tests:

Lab test 1 - to identify ten specimens without using any books or keys

Lab test 2 - to identify twenty specimens using any books or keys, but no reference collections or on-line resources may be used

Field test - you will spend approximately two hours surveying a small site and recording the vascular plant species you can identify. At the same time, a Gold Standard Surveyor (a botanical expert) will also survey the same site. Your findings are then compared against the Gold Standard Surveyor’s list of recorded plants to establish the skill level you have.

The results are marked against standard measures and candidates are awarded a certificate stating their skill level, from 1 (beginner) to 5 (professional), with 6 being awarded in exceptional cases. These skill levels relate to the field skills associated which each level in the Botanical Skills Ladder.

You can find out more about FISC on the BSBI website and you can also look at the FISC Information Booklet 2025 for full details of FISC and what it entails.

The morning sessions covering lab test 1 and 2 will be held at the Old Golf Club House on the Wilding Waterhall project site - https://maps.app.goo.gl/sxLABGu4w19q5EJf9 Saddlescombe Rd, Brighton BN45 7DB. The venue is located within a very interesting site with ample easy parking. Delegates will be able to access the car park from 9am.

The day will start from 10am with an introductory talk. This will then be followed by lab test 1 and 2 for 2 hours.

There will then be a half hour break for lunch (attendees should bring a packed lunch) and then travel out to a nearby field site to do the field test at around 1pm. Attendees will be able to share cars to get there if needed. Details of the field site will be given on the day. The day will finish around 4pm.

What to bring with you

• A hand lens and ID books – e.g. ‘Stace: New Flora of the British Isles’ plus a good picture guide such as ‘Rose: The Wild Flower Key’
• ‘Poland: The Vegetative Key to the British Flora’ can also be a useful resource for plants not in flower
• Wet weather gear including boots/wellies
• A clipboard
• A bag to carry your personal items
• A grapnel (although there will be a few to share in case of aquatic plants survey sites)
• Bring a packed lunch and a drink, snacks
• A notebook, a recording card if you are using one and be prepared for any weather for the field test.
• A watch as during the FISC you will not be allowed to use a phone or other electronic device

Further information

CIEEM is delivering FISC in partnership with the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) who own and coordinate FISC.

You can find out more about FISC on the BSBI website and you can also look at the FISC Information Booklet 2025 for full details of FISC and what it entails.

Other Assessment Days

As a FISC provider, CIEEM has arranged a number of assessment dates for candidates to book onto. Other available dates:

• South East – Brighton – 24 July 2025
• South West – Eden Project, Cornwall – 13 August 2025
• South West – Eden Project, Cornwall – 14 August 2025

If you have any queries regarding these assessment days, then please contact training@cieem.net for more information.

Booking Disclaimer
Please note that when booking a place on an assessment day: This information is being requested to manage your FISC assessment and certification. BSBI and CIEEM are joint Data Controllers for your data, to fulfil this purpose. Please see our organisations’ Privacy Policies for further details of how your data will be handled and stored. You can request to see the data we hold, request its removal or update your contact preferences at any time by contacting us. To do so, email BSBI on enquiries@bsbi.org or CIEEM on training@cieem.net.