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. 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. 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 a few steps to getting certified with our new program. Here’s how it works.

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.

The annual continuing education program is on December 11, 2024 from 10am – 11:30. Register here.

Annual Continuing Education Certification Training

Virtual – December 11th

The annual continuing education training will be held December 11, 2024 from 10am – 11:30. The training is virtual via Zoom. The training will be recorded and added to the LearnDash platform for later viewing if you are unable to attend on the 11th. An agenda for the training will be added soon. Register using the button below.

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.