No. The requirements listed are for the In-Training Certification only. This allows the applicant an option to earn the In-Training Certification until the requirements for the Full Certification have been met.
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.
Yes, if you work for a municipality, you may provide two (2) references from your current employer. While the application process requires four (4) references to be entered, you may enter the same two (2) references twice to fulfill this requirement.
If additional extenuating circumstances apply that may impact your ability to provide references, please contact ECI at [email protected] for further assistance.
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.
Application review can take up to 30 days. An incomplete application may take longer.
Application review can take up to 30 days. An incomplete application may take longer. Once the application is approved, you will need to schedule and pass the exam. A credentials packet is mailed within two (2) weeks of a passing score.
In order to treat all applicants equally, ECI requires that each individual complete the current certification application.
ECI provides “Professional Certifications”, and one of the fundamental principles is morals and ethics. ECI had a code of conduct and ethics which candidates are required to read and follow. In addition, candidates must also demonstrate they are in good moral standing. It is essential that our professionals have demonstrated they are an ethical professional operating in good conduct as the public places trust in ECI’s Certifications and our Certified Professionals. Moral turpitude must be addressed with any professional that is involved with aspects of public health and safety including Doctors, CPAs, Attorneys, Civil Engineers, etc.
Please note, we understand that mistakes are made, and people who demonstrate mitigation deserve to be accepted and assisted on a new path to advance their professional career. One such test is that people disclose past issues, provide a thorough explanation, and demonstrate that the wrong was mitigated. Such questions and responses are only addressed by upper management to ensure the utmost confidentiality.
Candidates are not automatically disqualified for past terminations for cause, infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies actions. If someone previously made a mistake and provides full disclosure and general explanation, this is sufficient in most circumstances. However, this is dependent upon severity of the issue and if there are repeat offenses.
ECI handles all background survey responses with utmost respect. To ensure as much confidentiality as possible, any disclosure or explanations are only addressed by upper management.
ECI wants to assist any person who is committed to improving themselves and trying to earn one of our certifications. We understand that mistakes are made, and people who demonstrate mitigation deserve to be accepted and assisted on a new path to advance their professional career.
ECI encourages any candidates who may have a concern or question(s), to reach out to staff and they will direct you to the appropriate person to discuss your situation with, in confidence.
All college degrees are accepted for education credit and receive education per the tables found on the following webpage.
No. The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
A large majority of jurisdictions, municipalities, states or over 46 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.
No, because Certified Professionals possessing an In-Training certification are not authorized to stamp plans and reports. Candidates are authorized to use the CPESC-IT after their name to indicate their level of expertise but cannot sign or stamp any plans or reports as the sole professional.
In-Training (IT) Certified Professionals shall work under the responsible charge of a Licensed Civil Engineer or Certified Professional until they meet the requirements for the full certification and then pass part two (2) of the exam.
Retired status is available, but must be requested. It has no professional development requirements, and a minimal yearly renewal fee of $25.00. Once you have entered into retired status you add “retired” after your certification, i.e. CPESC, Retired. Please note that you may no longer use your certification for any business or consulting purposes.
No, certifications are not reciprocal or transferable to another certification. You need to create a separate application for each certification.
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.
Fully certified professionals can practice with the full rights and privileges of the certification. As an In-Training certified professional you may assist a fully certified professional in their work but you may not sign or stamp reports or plans.
Many jurisdictions accept or require ECI certifications. You will need to check with specific jurisdiction you are working in to verify acceptance.
Many jurisdictions accept or require ECI certifications. You will need to check with specific jurisdiction you are working in to verify acceptance.
The directory only shows those certified professionals that are current with their certifications. If you are current and your name does not appear, please contact a Program Associate.
The Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) is a program administered by the State of California and is a Certificate of Training for that state only. CPESC and other programs administered by ECI are Professional Certifications that are recognized in over thirty-five (35) states in the US and over forty-four (44) countries. *Note CPESC meets the underlying certification requirement (if you are not a PE) to become a QSD in California.
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.
Professional Certification Exams and Certificate of Training Exams are not open book.
Description on the ECI Website under the “How To” section.
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.
Part B contains two Sections.
Section 1 covers the fundamental information that can be learned from books, studying, and other direct sources such as the classroom setting.
The General Principles Review Manual and review courses are set up to ensure examinees are knowledgeable in these principles and (since terms
vary around the world) and are familiar with the terminology used on the exam.
Section 2 covers the practical scope of practice for the certification. This includes applying fundamental knowledge on real scenarios. For instance,
the CPESC practical scope examples include assessing maps, photos, and case scenarios; making decisions based on-site conditions, cost, or both;
determining quantity of management practices needed for a site; and other common issues that arise in professional services consistent with the
required level of experience. Section 2 also includes an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in the more complex calculations that are included
in the review manual.
For the exam, the exam questions will provide the necessary information to address the question, and no additional reference materials, charts, or maps will be required.
Where conversions of more complex units are involved, the conversion information will generally be provided. However, there will be certain basic unit conversions such as:
a) inches to feet (“x” inches/12);
b) feet to yards (“x” feet/3);
c) feet to miles (“x” feet/5,280);
d) feet to acres w(“x” feet/43,560)
e) pounds to tons ( (“x” pounds/2,000)
Where the candidate should have a basic understanding of these basic conversion elements.
The conversation table is there as a reference in the manual. To this end, the only conversions you are expected to know is inches to feet, and the conversion of feet to yards. The only formula you may need remember is Rise / Run = Slope. All other formulas are provided in the questions or in a drop down provided with the question.
Your digital credentials packet will be emailed to you to the email address on file within two (2) weeks. Watch for an email from [email protected]
No. ECI suggest and encourages that you sit for the exam as quickly as possible once you are approved.
Exams are offered through Prometric Testing Centers internationally.
Yes, it can be downloaded here: https://envirocert.org/wp-content/uploads/CESSWI-Sample-Questions.pdf
You may not sit for the review of the certification(s) you hold to earn PDHs. However if you do not have the certification you are attendig the review for you may use it towards PDHs the first time only.
Description on the ECI Website under the “How To” section.
You may carry over one years PDH requirement.
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 after you become certified. The exception is that you may receive, one (1) renewal cycle equivalent of PDHs for passing the exam.
One PDH is equivalent to one contact hour. Typically but not always a CEU is equivalent to a tenth of a contact hour. When entering your PDHs into the portal, base the number of PDHs earned on contact hours.
Approved 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. A complete list of approved PDHs can be found here: https://envirocert.org/professional-development-hours/.
Your old PDHs are still in the portal. Only those for the current renewal cycle appear when you open My PDH Portfolio. To see your old PDHs click on the “All” toggle in the upper right of the My PDH Credits screen.
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 complete list of approved PDHs can be found here: https://envirocert.org/professional-development-hours/. If you do not find the event you are interested in you may contact the event host to apply following the instructions found here https://envirocert.org/wp-content/uploads/PDH-Request-Form_8-July-2024_v1.2.pdf.
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
This is on a case by case basis and must be approved by the Chief Operating Officer.
This is on a case by case basis and must be approved by the Chief Operating Officer.
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 [email protected] .
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 [email protected] .
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 note that you must have an approved application to purchase an exam bundle through the Candidate Management System (CMS).
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 [email protected] with any questions.
You will need to check the calendar on the ECI website. Additionally ECI offers these review courses online (see above).
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.