Programs

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. In 2025, The White River Alliance Regional Stormwater MS4 Program will offer two training opportunities for contractors working in and around our member communities.

Option 1 is an online program. This certification process is made up of a combination of 1) the EPA’s free, online course, 2) a small set of Local Issues modules developed in partnership with our member communities, and 3) limited continuing education requirements in subsequent years. One is considered a certified Trained Individual once all components are completed.

Option 2 consists of a “watch party” of the same material offered in Option 1. Instead of completing the training online, the WRA and its member communities will host those seeking certification in-person at a future date to be announced.

More details are below under Certification Process.

Certification Process

There are a few steps to becoming certified through this program. Here’s how it works:

Option One

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.

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.

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.

*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.

After your initial certification through the EPA course and our Local Issues Modules, continuing education will be required on an annual basis. The annual program is a short, live, online event intended 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.

Option Two

To Be Determined

After your initial certification through the EPA course and our Local Issues Modules, continuing education will be required on an annual basis. The annual program is a short, live, online event intended 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.

CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE

Keep your certification up to date!

If you missed the October 30 online continuing education program, you now have the option to view the recording from this training at your own pace and keep your certification valid.

This annual continuing education program is part of the White River Alliance online certification program and required to maintain certification with the White River Alliance and Regional Stormwater MS4 Program supported by 11 member municipalities.

The program is led by Christopher Burke Engineering and our Regional Stormwater Program municipal members. CEUs will be available for professional engineers and stormwater professionals.

Click the button below to Register and gain access to this video.

Access the Local Issues Modules

The new certification program is online and can be taken at any time. The course will take approximately one hour to complete in addition to the longer EPA program. The cost is $60 per person.

You can access the Local Issues Modules using the button below.

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

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.

On LearnDash, the program hosting the Local Issues Modules, you will find a Resources folder with downloadable PDFs from the Indiana Stormwater Manual as well as links to relevant IDEM webpages.

Other Training 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.