Many units of government have passed laws, ordinances, and regulations that attempt to minimize the misuse of land and water resources. Controlling soil erosion and the resulting sedimentation has created a need for the services of professionals trained in proper erosion and sediment control and water-quality methods. Similarly, controlling stormwater has created a need for the services of professionals trained in proper stormwater-quality methods and techniques. Such professionals must increasingly be able to show evidence of their qualifications and competence.

Below we describe the criteria that applicants must meet for the Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) and Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ).

In order to attain the CPESC certification, the applicant must do the following:

1. The applicant must pass a peer-review process to evaluate his or her education, work experience, and on-the job experience.
2. The applicant must have a minimum of three years of professional-level experience in the erosion and sediment control field, plus a bachelor’s or higher degree in a related field. The applicant with no college degree can qualify with seven years of professional job experience in the field.
3. Successful applicants may sit for the CPESC exam. This examination is designed to rigorously evaluate a person’s knowledge and ability to apply erosion and sediment control concepts.
4. Upon passing the exam, the CPESC must complete 60 hours of professional development units over a three-year cycle to maintain certification.
5. CPESCs must comply with a strict code of ethics.
6. An “In Training” designation is offered to those who do not currently meet the above criteria.

The CPESC certification was developed with individuals of the American Registry of Certified Professionals in Agronomy, Crops, and Soils. Today CPESC Inc. has a close association with the International Erosion Control Association and the Soil and Water Conservation Society.

The field of erosion and sediment control has evolved into an extremely technical field that demands knowledge, experience, and competence. Knowledge of soil properties, erosive stormwater runoff, erosion rates, vegetative establishment, sediment capture, sediment detention, and available erosion and sediment control products is essential. The CPESC must have a working knowledge of current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations along with state or province and local ordinances that would apply to a specific site.

The CPESC, working in cooperation with municipalities, engineers, developers, contractors, and other design professionals, has provided and will continue to provide professional expertise in addressing soil erosion and sediment control measures.

In order to attain the CPSWQ certification, the applicant must do the following:

1. The applicant must pass a peer-review process to evaluate his or her education, work experience, and on-the-job experience.
2. The applicant must have a minimum of six years of professional-level experience in the stormwater-quality field, plus a bachelor’s or higher degree in a related field.
3. Successful applicants may sit for the CPSWQ exam. This examination is designed to rigorously evaluate a person’s knowledge and ability to apply stormwater-quality concepts.
4. Upon passing the exam, the CPSWQ must complete 60 hours of professional development units over a three-year cycle to maintain certification.
5. CPSWQs must comply with a strict code of ethics.
6. An “In Training” designation is offered to those who do not currently meet the above criteria.

The CPSWQ certification was developed by CPESC Inc. in conjunction with the US Environmental Protection Agency.

The field of stormwater quality has evolved into an extremely technical field that demands knowledge, experience, and competence. Knowledge of stormwater runoff hydrology, stormwater runoff capture and management, pollutant loading, pollutant monitoring techniques, pollutant removal techniques, erosion and sediment control techniques and procedures, and available stormwater-quality products is essential. The CPSWQ must have a working knowledge of current NPDES regulations along with state or province and local ordinances that would apply to a specific site.

The CPSWQ, working in cooperation with municipalities, engineers, developers, contractors, and other design professionals, has provided and will continue to provide professional expertise in addressing stormwater management techniques and measures.

Both the CPESC and the CPSWQ certifications are designed to complement other professional certifications and state licenses. They are designed to complement the team approach to solving and developing sound resource management plans.

CPESC Inc. also has embarked along the process of building a third certification program, the Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Stormwater Inspector (CESSWI). This new program is in the development stage and will be launched by CPESC Inc. during the summer of 2007. CPESC Inc. and the two current certification programs will remain and continue to grow in excess of over 3,000 registrants worldwide. The core mission of CPESC Inc. remains to continue to improve and deliver an excellent national certification program, which has over 25 years of successful history. For more information, please contact CPESC Inc. directly or visit www.cpesc.org.

EC - March/April 2007