Course Refund Policy

Requests for refunds must be made a minimum of two business days prior to course start date and within 45 days from the date of purchase. Refund requests must be emailed to: Certification@DEQ.Virginia.gov with proof of purchase.

Course Substitution Policy

Course enrollment changes must be made prior to the first day of course. You are welcome to:

1. substitute another individual for the enrollment, or
2. request enrollment in another course of same cost (subject to availability).

Enrollment changes should be emailed to: Certification@DEQ.Virginia.gov

See DEQ's course refund policy for more information.

These flowcharts will help you determine what certification you need.

Start Here: Who Do You Work For

Program Authority (Blue Path)

Consultants/Designer (Brown Path)

Qualified Personnel (Green Path)

The VESM Regulation requires the following individuals to be certified: 

• Staff of an erosion control and stormwater management program
• Staff of an erosion and sediment control program
• Anyone contracted by a program authority to perform any or all of the functions of that authority
• Standard and specification holders

Qualified Personnel do not need to take certification classes. Visit the SWPPP Inspections page if you are only conducting self-inspections under the Construction General Permit (CGP) and need to meet the requirements as "Qualified Personnel".

Register an account in ELMS to enroll in training.

Watch this video on how to register an account.

Watch this video on how to enroll in training in ELMS.

Provisional certification is a mechanism that allows individuals to conduct work while they are taking classes and taking their exam. It is not intended as a substitute for obtaining certification.

Individuals seeking SWM or ESC certification are required to obtain a passing score on the certification exam within one year from the date they complete the required training course(s).

Individuals can be provisionally certified once per certification type.