Trained Individual Contractor Certification

Rule 5 enforcement 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.

Construction site runoff is one of the leading pollution sources to local streams, and is, therefore a regulatory and quality-of-life priority for all local municipalities. With all of these violations and the amount of runoff entering our streams, several MS4 coordinators agree that far too many local contractors really do not understand or prioritize the practices that they have the task and responsibility of installing, maintaining and eventually removing. Contractors need to be knowledgeable enough to know when a practice is failing or is even ill-prescribed for given site conditions.

The Trained Individual Contractor Certification Program

The Trained Individual Contractor Certification Program provides training and testing for those responsible for the management of Rule 5-permitted construction projects in Indiana, also known as a “Trained Individual”. The focus is on the implementation of construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) through the proper installation, maintenance and inspection of erosion, sediment, and other pollution controls, also known as construction-phase best management practices (BMPs). The program is designed to provide contractors with the knowledge to better manage their Rule 5 construction sites and stay in compliance with local stormwater ordinances.

This training provides them with the information to fix common failures effectively and/or work with the project engineer to make necessary changes therefore avoiding fines and stop-work orders.  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.

Tracks

Basic Training Track

The program offers two tracks, the first of which is a Basic Training & Certification focused on the installation, maintenance and inspection of the most common construction BMPs, in addition to regulatory and other relevant information. Those who complete the Basic Training and pass the optional test receive a Trained Individual Certification and are added to a database of Trained Individuals. The database allows participating municipalities to verify contractor qualifications. Anyone participating in the program and seeking certification must start with this track in order to ensure a good understanding of the fundamentals and sit for the certification test.

Advanced Training Track

The second track is designed as a continuing education (Advanced Training) opportunity that covers a variety of current topics developed each year, such as on-going SWPPP development and implementation challenges, stormwater industry trends, emerging technologies, green infrastructure, regulatory changes, case studies and other development and stormwater-related components. The Advanced Training is designed to provide continuing education and a recertification opportunity for certified Trained Individuals, but is open to anyone.

Only those who complete the Basic Training and pass the test obtain a Trained Individual Certification, which is valid for two years.  Once certified, the Trained Individual must attend either a Basic Training or Advanced Training at least once every two years to maintain the certification.  No re-testing is required to maintain the certification unless it is allowed to expire, in which case re-testing is required to renew the certification. If your certification has expired, you can attend either Basic or Advanced Training; however, you must sit for the Basic Training test if you want to renew your certification.  If you have more questions about which class you need to attend? Visit the FAQs below for more detailed questions and answers about the tracks and testing.

Schedule

Due to Covid-19, we will only be offering our re-certification track (the Advanced Training Track) in 2021. This will be a live online 3-hour training session planned for a couple of dates in late March and April (dates TBD). This training will include new Rule 5 requirements (i.e. new general permit requirements) from the State (IDEM), as well as guidance regarding common construction site violations and associated best management practices and technologies.

The cost of this session will be $50.

For those contractors that need to take the Basic Training Track we will be accepting other training program certifications including those listed below. Please submit proof of course completion to us at info@thewhiteriveralliance.org, and we will update our database accordingly. The cities and towns (MS4s) that support this program have access to this database, so you will be all set!

We are working to bring our Basic Training Track online and make it available year round. Please stay tuned for more information as this option develops in late 2021.

Registration

Registration for the 2021 Trained Individual Contractor Certification Advanced Training (recertification session) will open in late January. We will send a notification to all past participants when registration opens.
Thank you for your patience!

FAQs