There is no "meteorologist" license or certification. Also, there is no professional "college" or government certification board. Instead, your Bachelor's degree in ATSC (or higher degree) is your qualification.
Nonetheless, various organizations have produced guidelines for university education as a meteorologist / atmospheric scientist. Here are the most relevant ones.
Guide to the Implementation of Education and Training Standards in Meteorology and Hydrology, volume I – Meteorology. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) - WMO, 2015 (2015 edition; WMO-No. 1083).
1. Intro:
learn physical principles,
apply that knowledge to solve problems via scientific reasoning,
2. Foundation topics in mathematics, physics and complementary subjects
2.1 Mathematics
2.2 Physics
2.3 Complementary subjects
Other sciences: CHEM, OCGY, Hydrology, GEOG, or Ecology
Communications (oral & written) & teamwork
Data analysis & utilization: programming, data processing, accessing libraries and databases, GIS, publishing results
3. Topics in atmospheric sciences
3.1 Physical
3.1.1 Atmospheric composition, radiation and optical phenomena
3.1.2 Thermodynamics and cloud physics
3.1.3 Boundary-layer meteorology and micrometeorology
3.1.4 Conventional observations and instrumentation
3.1.5 Remote sensing
3.2 Dynamic meteorology
3.2.1 Atmospheric dynamics
3.2.2 Numerical weather prediction
3.3 Synoptic and mesoscale meteorology
3.3.1 Mid-latitude and polar weather systems
3.3.2 Tropical weather systems
3.3.3 Mesoscale weather systems
3.3.4 Weather observation, analysis and diagnosis
3.3.5 Weather forecasting
3.3.6 Service delivery
3.4 Climatology
3.4.1 Global circulation, climates and climate services
** The UBC ATSC Undergrad Advisor can provide you with a statement of equivalency if needed. For example: CHEM 304-Thermodynamics is equivalent to a physics course.
==> Note that ECCC is considering revised wording of the qualifications for a job as a meteorologist. As of 31 Oct 2023, here is the current draft (which is still being edited, and has NOT yet been approved by ECCC management):
The importance of spatial/temporal scales in determining the nature of fluid motions
Dynamical balances
Waves
Disturbances and the growth mechanisms that produce them
Structure and evolution of polar, tropical, and midlatitude weather systems across spatial and temporal scales
Application of the principles of fluid motion to understand and predict atmospheric circulation systems
Clouds and storms
Synoptic and mesoscale weather systems
The general circulation of the atmosphere
Energy transfers within the atmosphere and across its boundaries by radiation, convection, turbulence, and advection, and the implications of these transfers for weather and climate
Processes that produce clouds and precipitation
Air pollution and pollution dispersal
Chemical/aerosol systems
Chemical composition, distribution, and evolution
Natural and anthropogenic sources of atmospheric constituents
Global energy balance, the general circulation of the atmosphere and ocean, and climate variability
Phenomena resulting from this coupled system including El Niño–Southern Oscillation, monsoons, etc.
Climate change
Hydrologic cycle
Principles of measurement and uncertainty
In situ observations
Active and passive remote sensing (especially radar and satellite measurements)
Statistical analysis of observations
Familiarity with emerging technologies for data acquisition
Making weather forecasts
Principles of numerical weather prediction (data assimilation, forecast, statistical postprocessing, and dissemination)
How climate predictions and projections are made
Communication of forecasts, forecast uncertainty, and resultant outcome risks to users
Weather and climate impacts to reduce risks and bolster the resilience of society
Degree: Meteorology, Atmospheric Science or other natural science major that included at least 24 credits (semester hours, equivalent to 36 quarter hours) in meteorology/atmospheric science including: Credits – Topic
6 Analysis & Prediction of Weather Systems (synoptic & mesoscale)
While these are the minimum requirements to be considered for a position of meteorologist in the National Weather Service, the competition to enter the NWS has become extremely fierce over the last decade. So much so that some students have continued their education to the Masters level, as that will provide an advantage over someone with just a Bachelor’s of Science degree.
Other Tools in the Tools tab above allow you to see which UBC courses satisfy which meteorologist qualifications.