How do I qualify to take an exam? You may qualify to take an exam by either completing the required DEQ training, or by completing the DEQ Work Experience Form and having your employer certify that you have at least 800 hours of relevant job experience. Visit the Exam Information page for more information.

How do I apply to take an exam? Anyone who has qualified to take an exam can schedule their exam directly with Pearson VUE.

Can I still sit for the exam even though my provisional certification has expired?  Yes. Pearson VUE will still allow you to sit for an exam with a course completion certificate that is older than one year. However, you may want to consider retaking the certification course to refresh your knowledge.

What if I have a handicap that necessitates special assistance or access for a course? DEQ adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will make every effort to accommodate requests under ADA. If you need special accommodations with an exam, contact Pearson VUE. If you need special accommodations for a class, contact certification@DEQ.Virginia.gov prior to attending a course.

What if I have registered for a course and need to cancel? Please see DEQ's Refund and Substitution Policy. Any request for refunds should be submitted directly to certification@DEQ.Virginia.gov.

If I can't get a refund, do I have other options? Course enrollment changes must be made prior to the first day of course. You are welcome to substitute another individual for the enrollment, or request enrollment in another course of same cost (subject to availability). Enrollment change must be emailed to certification@DEQ.Virginia.gov. For additional details, see DEQ's Refund and Substitution Policy.

I am certified as an ESC Inspector and a SWM Inspector. How do I get a Dual Inspector Certification? Certifications can be combined in the Certification Accreditation Tracking System (CATS). The expiration date of the Dual certification will be the same expiration date of the newest certification acquired.

I have a Program Administrator, Inspector, and Plan Reviewer Certification. How do I obtain a Combined Administrator Certification? Certifications can be combined in the Certification Accreditation Tracking System (CATS). The expiration date of the Combined Administrator certification will be the same expiration date of the newest certification acquired.

I only do post-construction maintenance on BMPs. Do I need to be certified?  If you are only doing post-construction maintenance on BMPs, then you do not need to be certified. Individuals must be certified if they are conducting post-construction BMP inspections for a VESMP authority. 

I work for a landscape company, and I conduct maintenance on BMPs. Do I need to be certified?  Certification is not required to conduct maintenance on BMPs.

I only do qualified personnel inspections for an operator. Do I need to be certified?  If you are only doing self-inspections under the Construction General Permit (CGP), then you are not required to be certified. Please visit SWPPP inspections page for more information on meeting the requirements as "Qualified Personnel".

As a Virginia professional engineer, architect, landscape architect, land surveyor, or professional soil scientist, do I need to complete training in order to review ESC plans?  No. The licensed professionals listed above are automatically certified as ESC Plan Reviewers. They do not have to take the Plan Reviewer for ESC Training or pass the Plan Reviewer for ESC exam to review ESC plans for a VESCP authority or entity with standards and specifications. Virginia licensed professionals, however, may choose to take the Plan Reviewer for ESC Training and the ESC Plan Reviewer exam. See the Virginia Licensed Professionals FAQ for more information.

As a Virginia professional engineer, architect, landscape architect, land surveyor, or professional soil scientist, do I need to complete training in order to review SWM plans?  Yes. If you are a Virginia licensed professional working for a VESMP authority or an entity with standards and specifications, you are not exempt from any SWM certification requirements. All Virginia licensed professionals must pass the appropriate exam for their SWM classification. See the Virginia Licensed Professionals FAQ for more information.

As a Virginia professional engineer, architect, landscape architect, land surveyor, or professional soil scientist, can I be considered a Responsible Land Disturber (RLD) without further training, certification, or fees?  Yes. Virginia licensed professionals can be considered a RLD without further training, certification or fees. The RLD shall be a member of the project team or development team; not an employee of the plan approving authority. See the Virginia Licensed Professionals FAQ for more information.

How long is my certification valid? Certifications are valid for three years. You must recertify in the Certification Accreditation Tracking System (CATS).

How do I recertify in SWM or ESC? You must recertify before your certification expires. There are three options for recertifying:

1. Re-take and pass the exam with Pearson VUE.
   
   
2. Complete the required contact hours, enter them in CATS, and pay the recertification fee before the certification expires. See Use of Contact Hours for ESC or SWM Recertification for more information. You can recertify during the last 12 months of your valid certification without losing time on its expiration date. In other words, CATS does not move your expiration date forward if you recertify during those last 12 months.
   
   
3. Maintain your VA professional license, enter your license number/information in CATS, and pay the recertification fee prior to the certification expiration date. See the VA Licensed Professionals FAQ for more information.

I was unable to recertify my certification prior to its expiration and it has now expired. Do I need to take the course(s) again?  If you demonstrate that you have 800 hours of job experience related to your certification classification, you can retake the exam without retaking the courses. You must complete the DEQ Work Experience Form and bring it to the exam. However, if you cannot demonstrate that you have accumulated 800 hours, you will need to complete the course(s) again before retaking the exam.

As an example, a building inspector who conducts two hours of ESC inspections per week would NOT qualify. Over the course of 3 years, this person would have accumulated about 312 hours not the 800 hours required to qualify to take the exam.

What is a responsible land disturber? A responsible land disturber (RLD) is an individual holding a certificate issued by DEQ who is responsible for carrying out a land-disturbing activity in accordance with an approved erosion and sediment control (ESC) plan. The RLD can be anyone from the project or development team, including the project owner. The RLD must be designated on the ESC plan or permit as a prerequisite for engaging in land disturbance.

RLD certificates are not transferable. Upon separation from a project, a different RLD must be designated and the locality notified. See the Responsible Land Disturber page for more information.

Can I be considered a Responsible Land Disturber (RLD) if I’ve already obtained an ESC certificate? Yes. If you hold a valid ESC certification for Combined Administrator, Program Administrator, Plan Reviewer, or Inspector, you can be considered as the RLD without further training, certification, or fees, but the RLD must be a member of the project or development team.

How can I look up a RLD certificate number? You can search for certificate holders using the Certified Users Search Tool.

What qualifications do I need to conduct SWPPP inspections for the operator/permit holder?  See SWPPP Inspections for information on meeting the requirements of "Qualified Personnel".