CPMSM: Requirements, Fees & Processes

Certified Professional in Municipal Stormwater Management professionals are rigorously trained, tested and certified ensuring they are qualified to develop, implement, manage and coordinate a municipal SWMP.

How to become a CPMSM™: Requirements, Fees & Processes

Secondary Education Requirement

The CPMSM Program requires a High School Diploma or a GED (General Education Development) Credential.

Post-Secondary Education Credit

ECI automatically awards maximum Education Credit for Qualifying Degrees (science, planning, and construction management) as shown in the program-specific sections below. Transcripts are required. Education Credit is awarded for non-qualifying degrees at the rate of one half a Qualifying Degree. Transcripts or ECI approved documentation are required. Education credit may also be awarded for professional licensure without a degree. Verification of license is required. ECI reserves the right to review various state licensing not listed to determine applicability.

In Training (IT) Certifications

Details about the In Training (IT) status can be found in the Understanding In-Training Certifications PDF.

*ECI reserves the right to review various State licensing not listed to determine applicability
** Not all science, planning, and construction management degrees apply to every certification. Non-related
degrees will be given half-credit
*** Graduate degrees not in the sciences will not receive any additional credit above a Bachelors

Review Courses

Anyone may take any EnviroCert review course at any time, review courses are not required in order to sit for an exam.

Each review course is designed to ensure the applicants understand which concepts will be covered by the exam and act as a review for most of those concepts. Because this certification is meant to identify experienced professionals concepts will not be reviewed in detail during the review course. Applicants for the exam are expected to have a sufficient combination of education and experience to be able to independently study the materials identified in the General Principles Review Manual. Please visit our calendar of events to find the next course in your area.

Note: students attending the Review Course must bring a General Principles Review Manual to the course. Exam applicants do receive a General Principles Review Manual when they apply to sit for an exam. If you have not applied to sit for an exam and you are attending a review course you will need to purchase a General Principles Review Manual. This can be done during the Review Course application process.

Each course is designed to ensure the applicants understand which concepts will be covered by the exam and act as a review for most of those concepts. Because this certification is meant to identify experienced professionals all concepts will not be reviewed in detail during the review course. Applicants for the exam are expected to have a sufficient combination of education and experience to be able to independently study the materials identified in the General Principles Review Manual. The Manual also serves as the Review Course outline, you may download the CPMSM -General Principals Review Manual – Table of Contents  to learn more.

ECI Sponsored: 8 hour course | $375
Partner Sponsored: 8 hour course | Cost determined by Sponsor
NOTE: General Principles Review Manual is required for the course and must be purchased separately ($50 electronic version, $150 hard copy)

Certification: Eligibility & Process

Applicants are not required to take the review courses to qualify for the exam process however applicants must apply to be eligible to sit for an exam.

Only eligible candidates will be able to sit for an exam. Each candidate must complete the application process via the EnviroCert Certification Portal and pay the application fee of $350. The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. The list of requirements is quite extensive. In order to be fully prepared to apply please download the list of requirements (below) and gather all of the necessary materials prior to beginning the application process. Note: All initial application fees include a digital copy of the General Principles Review Manual. NOTE: CPESC there is an “IT” In-Training status available for CPESC candidates who have achieved a good basis for CPESC but may need additional experience or training to achieve full CPESC Certification.

Download List

Using EnviroCert’s Certification Portal create an account and upload the requested information you gathered in Step 1. If you have previously created an account on the certification portal you do not need a new account for this certification, please use your existing log-in information.

Details: applications will be reviewed within 30 days | $350.00 cost (includes General Principles Review Manual)

On-Line Exams

Exams may be taken on-line with remote proctoring with Prometric. This will allow applicants to take the exam at their home or office with a reliable internet connection. Exams will be administered utilizing a remote proctor that will monitor the exam via your computer’s webcam.

In order to schedule an exam, you will need to complete an on-line exam request form. You must have an approved application before scheduling an exam.

Process for scheduling an exam with Prometric:

  1. Make sure you have an approved application before submitting a request.
  2. Submit your testing request through the Candidate Management System (CMS).
  3. ECI will confirm your eligibility and send an approval to Prometric within 24 business hours.
  4. You will receive an email with instructions to register and purchase the exam bundle.

Prometric

ItemDescriptionPrice
QSM BundleReview Videos/Exams$325
CPESC BundlePart A/CPESC Video/Proctored Exam$365
CPSWQ BundlePart A/CPSWQ Video/Proctored Exam$365
CESSWI BundlePart A/CESSWI Video/Proctored Exam$315
CPISM ExamPart A/Proctored Exam$160
CPMSM ExamPart A/Proctored Exam$160

In-Person Exams

ECI Exams may be taken at designated Prometric testing locations. You must have an approved application before scheduling an exam. Applicants are required to bring: No.2 pencils, clear ruler, eraser, and an authorized calculator. Calculators cannot have any of the following features:

  • Internet Capability
  • Photo or Video Camera Capability
  • Audio and/or Digital Recording Capability

Renewals must be completed annually via the ECI Certification Portal. CESSWI current renewal cost is $145. Renewals must be completed by the date shown on the certificants’ wallet card, late renewals are subject to a $75 late fee. When using a debit or credit card a $14.95 third party credit card fee will apply.

Registrants are responsible to participate in activities within their annual renewal period that satisfy the requirements for each certification they hold. CPMSM Certificants are required to complete 8 PDHs during their certification year. CPMSM-IT are required to complete 4 PDHs each year. PDHs may be recorded in a log but must ultimately be added to each registrant’s profile in the EnviroCert Certification Portal. PDHs are required for successful renewal. Please review the Professional Development Policy for detailed explanation of qualifying courses. Each year a minimum of 1% of Certificants’ PDH records are audited by EnviroCert.

Related forms & policies: