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A step by step tutorial can be viewed at the following link: How to Upload your Transcript
Education credits show that you have earned a degree or professional license. ECI believes that post secondary education is valuable and that even if it is not in the erosion and sediment control, stormwater, environmental, science, planning, or construction management field it has provided valuable training.
Create a profile on the Certification Management System (CMS) portal, answer a series of background questions and provide references. After these are completed an application is created and the application fee is paid.
The job descriptions need to provide detailed descriptions of your work in the erosion and sediment control, stormwater, and environmental fields. Providing a job title only is not descriptive enough.
In order to treat all applicants equally, ECI requires that each individual complete the current certification application.
All college degrees are accepted for education credit and receive education per the tables found on the following webpage.
A large majority of jurisdictions, municipalities, states or over 30 countries accept or require our certification. You will need to check with your specific jurisdiction, municipality, state or country to verify acceptance.
ECI certifications show an elevated knowledge and competency in erosion and sediment control, stormwater, and environmental areas associated with the particular certification. Many jurisdictions are accepting or requiring professional certifications for qualified persons within their permits and ordinances.
ECI’s In-Training program was developed to mimic the Professional Engineering EIT or FE program. In-Training shows you have the background knowledge but not the professional experience to practice the profession individually. As with the engineering EIT or FE program you may assist a fully certified professional in their work but you may not sign or stamp reports or plans. This work will enable you to aquire in-field/on-site experience from an experienced professional. More information can be found in the Understanding In-Training Certifications PDF.
Requirements for each certification can be found here CPESC, CPSWQ and CPISM require a minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience or professional experience and education credits combined as well as a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent. CPMSM requires a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience or professional experience and education credits combined as well as a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent. CESSWI requires a minimum of one (1) year of professional experience or professional experience and education credits combined. Currently CPESC, CESSWI, and CPSWQ offer an In-Training program with lesser requirements and the remaining programs will offer an In-Training program in the near future. Requirements for the In-Training program for CPESC and CPSWQ is two (2) years of professional experience or professional experience and education credits combined and CESSWI is one (.5) year of professional experience or professional experience and education credits combined. NGICP requires a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent and 35-hours of GI training. QSM requires a completed and approved application.
You can find your certification number on the ECI website within the directory or in your portal.
The National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) is a certification program that offers a credential for GI installation, inspection, and maintenance workers that verifies that they have the required knowledge to build, inspect, and maintain sustainable GI systems. It is meant to be an entry-level certification that focuses on knowledge that is important for all three of these groups of workers to possess to carry out their job tasks properly.
The NGICP covers the following GI types:
The NGICP was created to promote skilled individuals who will install, inspect, and maintain green infrastructure (GI) systems and also support community-based job creation, and establish national standards for individuals seeking to work on GI projects. The driver for this joint effort was DC Water’s amended federal consent decree (2005 consent decree, amended in 2016) to construct large-scale GI to manage combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in the District of Columbia, and the Green Jobs Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DC Water and the District of Columbia. The consent decree is a legal agreement between DC Water, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Additionally, demand has been growing for a national program to provide credentialed green infrastructure construction and maintenance professionals.
The NGICP certification is a green infrastructure-specific credential that will signify that you possess the foundational knowledge needed to properly perform construction, inspection, and maintenance tasks for GI.
The credential helps you to stand out among other GI job seekers. Employers will know that you have a solid background knowledge of GI and that you are ready to apply that on a job site. GI project owners will be assured that having certified workers install, inspect, and maintain their GI practices will improve the efficiency, performance, and longevity of their GI investment.
The certification process involves the following steps:
For more information, please read the Certification Policies and Procedures Handbook.
The following times are allotted to complete each exam:
Part A – open book no time limit
All full certification exams (part 1 & 2) – 180 minutes
Individual Section 1 Exams
CPESC, CPESC-SI, CPSWQ, CPSWQ, CPSQW-SI, and CPISM – 60 minutes
CESSWI, CESSWI-SI, CPMSM, CPSWI, and CPWPC – 90 minutes
Individual Section 2 Exams
CPESC, CPESC-SI, CPSWQ, CPESC-SI, and CPISM– 120 minutes
CESSWI, CESSWI-SI, CPMSM, CPSWI, and CPWPC– 90 minutes
QSM – There are quizzes at the conclusion of each module, excepting Module 1 and the applicant has 90 minutes to complete each quiz.
NGICP – There is one section with a 180-minute time limit.
Your digital credentials packet will be emailed to you to the email address on file within two (2) weeks. Watch for an email from renewals@envirocert.org
Yes, it can be downloaded here: https://envirocert.org/wp-content/uploads/CESSWI-Sample-Questions.pdf
To have PDHs carryover you must request in writing (emails are acceptable) that available PDHs be carried over to the next PDH/renewal cycle.
PDHs are earned whenever there is an increase in knowledge of the environmental industry as it relates to the specific certification. This includes, but is not limited to, formal training, workshops, webinars, in-house training, presentations, reading articles, books, or study material. This also includes if you are instructing or developing the learning material.
These forms can be found on our Learning Resources page under the “Professional Development Hours – Tools & Information” drop down menu.
ECI offers online On-Demand General Principles Reviews that can be used for PDHs. You can find and purchase them here: ECI Store. ECI is currently developing more training and education classes, please watch for announcements coming during this year with this information.
A step by step tutorial is available at the following link: How to Reset your Password
A step by step tutorial can be viewed at the following link: How to Print a Receipt
A receipt is emailed to the email on file. However, you may get a copy of your receip by following the instructions found here . You may also email your request to wecare@envirocert.org .
A receipt is emailed to the email on file. However, you may get a copy of your receip by following the instructions found here . You may also email your request to wecare@envirocert.org .
A step by step tutorial is located at the following link: How to Enter PDHs
This varies per certification and between Full and In-Training (IT) status. CPESC, CPSWQ, CPMSM, and CPISM all require eight (8) PDHs per year for Full and four (4) PDHs per year for IT Status. CESSWI requires six (6) PDHs per year for Full and three (3) for IT Status. NGICP requires seven (7) PDHs per year.
This varies per certification. For full CPESC $175.00 and CPESC-IT $95.00. For CPSWQ $175.00 and once the CPSWQ-IT program becomes active $95.00. For full CESSWI $145.00 and for CESSWI-IT $95.00. For CPMSM $155.00 and when the CPMSM-IT program becomes active $95.00. For NGICP $135 and for QSM $100.
Within two (2) business weeks.
Reviews are included in Exam Bundles through Prometric Testing Centers. Please submit a Prometric testing request through at the following link. Please note that you must have an approved application to purchase an exam bundle through Prometric. If you would like to purchase the On-Demand Reviews individually please take the following steps: 1. Visit the ECI Store and select the review you want to schedule. 2. Add the course(s) to cart and then complete the checkout and payment process. 3. When you purchase a course you will be prompted for an email and password if you have not yet registered. This will become your login for the site and when you register you will receive an email reminder of your username. 4. All purchased courses can be found at My Purchased Reviews which is in the main menu in the dropdown under On Demand Reviews. Contact ECI offices at 279-888-6911 or email courses@envirocert.org with any questions.
Trainers are compensated within the two (2) models for event set-up available. Independent Sponsored Events: The trainer obtains an approval from ECI to hold an event. The trainer advertises or solicits individuals, sets the class fee, the location, date, time etc. including fees (independent of ECI application and class fee per person) and responsible for all location and A/V fees. Registration is collected through the ECI website, and the trainer is paid the remaining balance of the registration fee collected after the class has been completed and excluding the $70 per person fee due to ECI. ECI Sponsored Events: ECI sets up all the event details and pays all fees. The Trainer is paid an established or negotiated fee after the completion of the class including acceptable travel and expenses as set forth in the Trainer Reimbursement policy found here https://envirocert.org/organization-policies-documents/ .
ECI has taken every effort necessary to keep the exam questions confidential. ECI tracks exam scores and performs detailed psychometrics and associated exam weighting as well as evaluating each question. For CPESC, CPSWQ, CESSWI, CPMSM, and CPISM Presenters/Trainers are providing a presentation of the general guidelines that have been provided. This training is NOT intended to be a substitution of the basic education and professional experience that the candidate should have. The Review presentation is intended to be a high-level review of the general principles. The exams and associated questions change regularly without notification. For QSM and NGICP, Presenter/Trainers will be providing the necessary training to obtain the certification. Any Presenters/Trainers advice about the number of a certain type of question or where to focus to pass the exam would be out of date and considered a breach of contract and a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct violation The best preparation is to arrive to the exam well rested, with a solid knowledge of the material in the manual, and all the decision-making skills and knowledge that comes from experience in the field.
No, the additional review and training acquired through individual states provides you with the necessary authority.
A good example is the California QSP program. The program accepts ECI certifications to qualify for the QSP/QSD program, and a candidate then undergoes additional training and receives an additional certificate to practice. Another example is New York where CPESC is written into the regulations.
Therefore, if you don’t have a state certificate or another qualifying certificate, then you are welcome to avail yourself of this offer, otherwise, no further action is needed.
No. You only need CESSWI for performing field observations, inspections, etc.
Sorry for any confusion on this. No. All CPESC’s have to the end of November 2023. We will work with individuals on a case-by-case basis if extensions are required.
Please refer to the links in the email announcement we sent also found here https://files.constantcontact.com/818c5e0b501/b77c4092-f61a-4492-ba5a-385b91f2be1b.pdf as it will have the necessary codes, steps, etc., to move through the transition plan with no fee.
The questions are from previous CESSWI exams or are variations of new questions that ECI is benchmarking. The questions probe basic principles of inspections and observations. There are no rules and regulation questions, but you can expect pictures of field conditions and you will be prompted to deduce a very common sense (objective) answer to demonstrate your knowledge of the particular subject.
ECI will provide copies of the current manual and presentation (currently being re-written). We believe most CPESCs can take and pass the exam based on acquired professional knowledge, but ECI will provide access for thirty (30) days to the online on-demand CESSWI review at no charge, per request if you feel you need it. Email requests to wecare@envirocert.org .
No. ECI is a certification body. If we start certifying and advocating for practices that are not vigorously supported by the policies, history of the curriculum, examination, as well as the standard of practice in the planning and design of erosion and sediment control related sectors, we basically water down and the program. It becomes a disingenuous promotion of an industry and promotes substandard practices. Further, a person who has been practicing for x number of years does not translate and ensure they possess the minimum competency and expertise. We are trying to maintain and ensure the stature and integrity of the program.
A professional raised an issue about older CPESC exams possessing field inspection content. In response, ECI staff are researching decades old exams to assess if those prior exams possessed the necessary technical content.
The “now” timing of the component is the termination of over two (2) years of evaluating this question with a variety of different groups, which has included evaluating the scope (and limitations) of the CPESC and CESSWI authority (as well as CPSWQ). We also believe that the industry has continued to evolve and become increasingly specialized, requiring greater depth and breadth of skillsets.
ECI has concluded that the CPESC program is based on planning and design concepts in erosion and sediment control. This is a certification program and not all parties come to the table with a standardized education and program of training. CESSWI was created to provide individuals with the authority to perform inspections.
ECI is a certification body. If ECI starts certifying and advocating for practices that are not vigorously supported by the policies, history of the curriculum, examination content, as well as the standard of practice, we basically begin to invalidate the program. It becomes a disingenuous promotion within the industry and promotes substandard practices. ECI continues to maintain and ensure the stature and integrity of the CPESC program, and hence this very difficult process that we need to overcome.
Elevating knowledge and inspiring conservation of the global environment through professional certification.
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Phone: +1 (279) 888-6911
Email: info@envirocert.org