Trained Individual Contractor Certification

Rule 5 enforcement, now a Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSGP) has been going on in Indiana for more than 10 years, but municipal inspectors still report seeing many of the most basic Rule 5 violations on sites during the construction season.

The Trained Individual Certification Program

Federal and State regulations require a certified Trained Individual (or Qualified Person) to oversee the installation, maintenance, and management of erosion and sediment control practices at stormwater-permitted construction projects. The White River Alliance Regional Stormwater MS4 Program has historically offered an annual training program for contractors working in and around our member communities.

With the introduction of a new, free, online training from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we are changing how we recognize and certify Trained Individuals.

Our new certification program is made up of a combination of the EPA’s free course, a small set of Local Issues modules developed in partnership with our member communities, and limited continuing education requirements in subsequent years. These changes will take immediate effect upon the release of our Local Modules (Spring 2023). One is considered a certified Trained Individual once all components are completed.

Previously certified Trained Individuals who wish to remain certified as well as those seeking certification for the first time should pursue certification through this process.

Certification Process

There are two steps to getting certified with our new program. Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Complete the EPA online course: FREE | 5-Year Certification
The EPA’s Construction Inspection Training Course is a free, online program. It consists of five modules plus a final exam and takes approximately seven hours to complete according to the EPA. The EPA certification is valid for five years. You must complete this course before moving onto Step 2.

Step 2: Complete the Local Issues course: $60 | 5-Year Certification
Once you have completed the EPA course, you will need to register and create an account on our LearnDash platform. As part of the registration process, you will need to upload a copy of your EPA course certificate*. The Local Issues course will take approximately two hours to complete.

Similar to the EPA course, the Local Issues Modules can be taken at any time.

Create Account
Once registered you will complete two Local Issues modules:

  1. Watch The State of Our Waters. This presentation discusses water quality, its impact on communities, and its connection to construction practices. It is given by Jill Hoffmann, Executive Director of the White River Alliance. A short quiz will follow the video to ensure compliance.
  2. Watch Indiana Local Issues: A Supplement to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Construction Inspection Training Course. This video highlights the differences between State and Federal regulations with respect to stormwater permits. It is presented by our member communities. A short quiz will follow this video to ensure compliance.

Once you have Created an Account, click on the Local Issues Modules button below and login to begin working through the modules.

Local Issues Modules
Upon completion of the Local Issues Modules you will receive a certificate and are now a Trained Individual.

On LearnDash:
You will find a Resources folder with downloadable PDFs from the Indiana Stormwater Manual as well as links to relevant IDEM webpages.

*Uploading your EPA course certificate provides us with confirmation of your completion of the course and allows us to track who is currently certified as a Trained Individual for our member communities. The certification is good for five years.

Keeping Certified – Continuing Education

After your initial certification through the EPA course and our Local Issues Modules (2023), continuing education will be required on an annual basis (2024 and beyond) in order to keep the construction community abreast of any local ordinance changes or concerns, any changes to best management practices or technologies, and to maintain your status as a certified Trained Individual.

The format for the continuing education portion of the program is still in development. It is anticipated that this continuing education module will be available online in Spring 2024 and will take approximately 2-3 hours to complete each year. If you have completed the EPA certification and the local modules (i.e. you are a certified Trained Individual via our program), you will automatically be notified of annual continuing education/recertification opportunities.

Schedule & Registration

The new certification program is online and can be taken at any time. The course will take approximately one hour to complete. The cost is $60 per person. We anticipate the course will be available by late April 2023.

A follow-up email, as well as promotion on social media, will be sent out once the training is live and ready to be completed. The EPA’s course is ready to be completed at any time. We recognize that this program represents a significant change from our traditional program. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@thewhiteriveralliance.org.

Other Options

If the White River Alliance Regional Stormwater MS4 Program does not fit your needs, there are a number of other certification programs available. You can find a link to approved programs below. Please note that the White River Alliance will not be tracking these alternative certifications. It will be your responsibility to keep track of renewal requirements and provide proof of certification to our member communities when requested.

Online Training Courses
Agency or Company Certification Name Website
CISEC Certified Inspector of Sediment & Erosion Control https://cisecinc.org/
EnviroCert CESSWI – Certified Erosion, Sediment, & StormWater Inspector https://envirocert.org/cesswi/
Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Construction Stormwater Management Training https://www.in.gov/indot/3813.htm
Stormwater ONE VARIOUS https://stormwaterone.com/indiana-stormwater-management
American Stormwater Institute, LLC Qualified Erosion & Sediment Control Inspector https://americanstormwaterinstitute.com/classes-offered/erosion-sediment-control-inspector-training-online/
National Stormwater Center Certified Stormwater Inspector https://npdes.com/training-programs
University of Minnesota Erosion & Stormwater Management Certification Program https://www.erosion.umn.edu/
Eco-3 CESCL Certification Training https://eco-3.com/certification
CED Engineering Civil Engineering & Erosion Control https://www.cedengineering.com/course-subcategories/erosion-control
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration Erosion & Sediment Control Certification https://roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/Index.aspx?PageId=56
ZACK Academy CESCL: Certified Erosion & Sediment Control Lead Training Courses https://www.zackacademy.com/class/stormwater-and-water-management/cescl–certified-erosion-and-sediment-control-lead-training
CEUs  – Training Resources to Maintain Certifications
Agency or Company Certification Name Website
FORESTER University *Training for CEUs https://www.foresteruniversity.com/ProductSubCats.aspx?SubCatID=78
IECA – International Erosion Control Association *Training for CEUs https://www.ieca.org/IECA/Education/IECA/Education/Education.aspx?hkey=45eb2999-5d38-43a5-b129-c3e7d9ad3ab5

 

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Become a Water Sponsor

Everyone has a role to play! You can help us ensure the Trained Individual Contractor Certification program’s success and affordability by directing your donation to the Trained Individual Contractor Certification program and becoming a Water Sponsor. No donation is too small or too large to be a Water Sponsor. Your donation as a Water Sponsor can be publicly recognized or remain anonymous. All donations are tax-deductible and will be utilized specifically for the Trained Individual Contractor Certification program and its related efforts.

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FAQs

Why do I have to do this?
Simply put: it’s required. Cities and towns and other MS4 entities are required under Rule 13 to address construction site run-off and reduce stormwater pollution. Rule 5 sets up several requirements related to reducing construction site run-off, including the having a ‘Trained Individual’ on active construction sites to insure SWPPP compliance. While Rule 5 enforcement has been going on in Indiana for more than 10 years, municipal inspectors still report seeing many of the most basic Rule 5 violations on sites during the construction season. Contractors need to be knowledgeable enough to know when a practice is failing or is even ill-prescribed for given site conditions. This training will provide them the knowledge to fix the failure effectively and/or work with the project engineer to ensure that the construction site stays in compliance (therefore avoiding fines and stop-work orders). Construction site run-off is one of the leading pollution sources to local streams and is therefore a regulatory and quality-of-life priority for all local municipalities. Enforcement is on the rise; therefore, being trained and certified is a great way to stay in compliance, and even secure future business as a responsible contractor.
Why take the White River Alliance course?
Many other training programs exist that focus on becoming a “Certified Inspector” for Rule 5 sites. However, this program is designed from the perspective of the contractor, rather than that of an outside inspector. Program content targets specific best management practices, including the mechanics of how these practices are designed to work, as well as how to better install and maintain them from the contractor’s perspective.
Who should attend and do I need recertification?
Contractors, builders, developers and engineers will all benefit from attending. However, the training is specifically targeted to contractors and those physically developing the site. Certifications are valid for two years from the date the test was passed. If you attended and passed the test last year, you do not need to attend again this year; however, you will need to attend the following year in order to keep your certification valid. Gaps in certification will require retesting. If you attended last year, but did not take the test, you can attend the workshop again and sit for the test, or just register to sit for the test. Likewise, if you attended last year and passed the test and simply want to refresh your knowledge, you are welcomed and encouraged to attend again this year. Both the Basic Training and Advanced Training will be offered to participants every year. The Advanced Training is open to all. For those who have previously obtained the Basic Training Trained Individual certification, the Advanced Training counts towards the 2-year recertification requirement. If you are uncertain of your certification standing or have other program questions, please contact us at info@thewhiteriveralliance.org.
How often is the training and testing available?
The training is offered in late February/early March every year. Additional Basic Training and recertification opportunities may be offered at another time of the year pending resources. Please email us at info@thewhiteriveralliance.org to inquire about upcoming opportunities.[eme_events category=3]
Which communities recognize or require this particular certification?
Carmel, Cicero, Fishers, Hamilton County, Lawrence, McCordsville, Noblesville, Pendleton, Westfield, and Zionsville
Does this count for INDOT or other communities’ requirements?
No, each MS4 (including INDOT) is responsible for defining what it means to be a Trained Individual and establish their own training and enforcement programs for Rule 5. The several municipalities that have partnered together to create the Alliance’s Trained Individual Program have done so in order to leverage resources and unify messages and training materials within the region. Other MS4 jurisdictions may have their own requirements.
Does this count for continuing education credits?
Yes, this qualifies for continuing education credits for sediment and erosion control inspection certifications such as CISEC, CPESC, and CESSWI.

Programs

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