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- QSD and QSP Qualification
QSD and QSP Qualification
Thank you for your interest in the Construction General Permit (CGP) Training Program. In this section you can find information about Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) and Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) qualification, renewal, the qualification directory, and frequently asked questions (FAQ).
If you are accessing your Office of Water Programs (OWP) qualification records, visit our Training System Update page for access instructions.
Obtaining QSD or QSP qualification requires completing a series of steps to ensure you are prepared for the role.
Step 1: Create an Account
To get started, all candidate QSDs and QSPs must create a CASQA account. After creating a CASQA account, you will be able to complete the qualification steps and manage your QSD or QSP qualification. Visit the Qualification tab to manage your qualification and track your progress.
Step 2: Submit Underlying Prerequisite
The Construction General Permit requires an underlying certificate or registration as a prerequisite to becoming a QSD or QSP. You can find a list of acceptable underlying prerequisites on the State Water Board’s website. You can take the QSD/QSP Training Course and QSD and QSP exams prior to obtaining the underlying prerequisite, but you will not be awarded a QSD or QSP certificate until you have the underlying prerequisite. Note: In-training statuses, such as CESSWI-IT, do not fulfill this requirement.
Step 3: Read CGP Review and SWRCB Guidance
Review the materials provided by the Construction General Permit Training Team (CGPTT) and the State Water Resources Control Board to enhance your understanding of the Construction General Permit and its application.
Step 4: Take a Training Course with a CGP ToR
To qualify as a QSD and/or QSP through the CASQA Training Program, you must complete a training course offered by a qualified California Construction General Permit Trainer of Record (CGP ToR).
- View dates and locations of upcoming QSP and QSD training courses on the QSD / QSP Training Course Calendar.
- You can also find a CGP ToR on our Qualification Directory.
Step 5: Take the Training Course Survey
After attending the training course, complete the QSD/QSP Training Course Survey to help evaluate the course’s effectiveness.
Step 6: Register for the Exam
The registration fee for exams is $155. This covers both the QSP and QSD exam.
If you only took the two-day QSP training course, then you will only have access to the QSP exam. If you complete the one-day QSD training course at a later date, you may register for the QSD exam for $155.
Please note that exams must be completed within 30 days after purchase.
- If you fail the QSP exam, you will not be eligible for a certificate.
- If you pass the QSP exam but fail the QSD exam, you will be eligible for a QSP certificate.
- If you fail one exam, you are allowed one retake for a $72 fee. If you need to retake both exams, you only pay one $72 fee.
- If you fail an exam twice, you will need to attend another in-person training before you are eligible to register for the exam again. The registration fee is $155.
Step 7: Take the QSP Exam
Complete the timed, two-hour QSP exam with a passing score of 70% or higher.
Step 8: Take the QSD Exam
Complete the timed, one-hour QSD exam with a passing score of 70% or higher.
Step 9: Complete the 2022 Reissuance Review
To finalize your qualification, complete the 2022 Reissuance Review, which includes five training videos and related quizzes. Each module covers key components of the 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP) and ranges from 30 to 50 minutes in length.
Step 10: Receive your Certificate
Upon completing the above steps, your certificate will be available in the Qualification tab.
Initial QSD or QSP qualification is valid for two years. Please review the steps below for information on renewing QSD or QSP qualification.
Step 1: Submit Continuing Education
The 2022 Construction Stormwater General Permit (CGP), through Section V.F.6., requires QSDs and QSPs registered through the CASQA Training Program to complete six hours of continuing education annually.
As part of the system transition, during renewal QSDs and QSPs must provide documentation that demonstrates a total of six hours of continuing education for each year of their renewal period (i.e., six hours for year 1 and six hours for year 2).
Alternatively, QSDs and QSPs who have maintained active status with an approved underlying prerequisite that includes a continuing education component, may submit proof of active status.
Step 2: Complete the Most Recent CGP Review
QSDs and QSPs must complete the most recent CGP Review from the Construction General Permit Training Team (CGPTT). Currently, all QSDs and QSPs must complete the 2022 CGP Reissuance Review if not already completed.
The 2022 CGP Reissuance Review consists of five QSD/QSP training videos summarizing key components of the 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP). The five modules are each comprised of a recorded PowerPoint presentation, ranging from 30 – 50 minutes each, followed by a related quiz.
Step 3: Pay for Renewal
The QSD and QSP renewal fee is $125 if renewed before the expiration date, or $145 if renewed after the certificate has expired.
After payment of the renewal fee, a new QSP or QSD certificate is automatically generated and made available in the Qualification tab.
Please note that if renewed before the certificate expiration date, the qualification will be set to expire two years after the original expiration date. If renewed after the certificate expiration date, the new expiration date will be two years from the renewal date. QSDs and QSPs whose qualification has expired will be noted with an expired status in the Qualification Directory.
If you are trying to renew your QSD or QSP qualification, make sure you are logged in to access the Renewal tab.
Additional Renewal Option for QSDs Only
In July 2013 the State Water Board launched a new, second option for individuals with specified licenses to become or renew as a QSD. For information visit the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists (CBPELSG) Licensed QSD Training Program. The basic differences in the two options for qualifying or renewing as a QSD are shown in this comparison table (PDF).
Your name, QSD or QSP certificate number, and expiration date will be be posted for public reference on the CASQA Qualification Directory. You can choose to make your contact information available as well. You are responsible for keeping your contact information current. If you change jobs, move to a new address, or change your email address, be sure to update your CASQA account information.
Visit the Qualification Directory to find a QSD, QSP, or CGP ToR.
Does meeting QSD qualification requirements satisfy meeting QSP qualification requirements?
We have several employees that need to get registered. Can I register all of them at one time?
I need to use the same email address for all of our employees but the system is not letting me. What can I do?
What forms of payment will the online system accept for examination/registration?
When I register for the QSD or QSP exam, does that make me a CASQA member?
Is there a time limit to the online exam; how does it work?
What controls have been put in place to discourage and punish cheating on the online exams?
Virtually no two exams will be the same. As opposed to the paper version of the exam(s), of which there were a limited number of versions, each subject to theft; online testing allows us to generate thousands of versions — virtually no two exams will be alike so serial cheating will be virtually impossible.We can examine and identify suspicious patterns. The online system greatly facilitates our ability to identify abuses by analyzing metrics on the exams and examinees’ information. We did not have this ability with the paper test.
Before proceeding to take an exam, examinees must agree to an affidavit statement regarding the identity of the exam taker stating that no assistance was received from any persons, and that only specifically allowed aids were used to take the exam. The affidavit statement subjects examinees to punishment to the greatest extent allowable by law for falsification of their affidavit and there is sufficient legal case history to support that punishment.
Affidavit Statement
“I hereby certify under penalty of law that I personally will complete the exam on my own and without assistance from any persons, and that the only aids I will use in taking the exam will be the California Construction General Permit and a non-programmable calculator. I acknowledge that falsification of this affidavit will result in punishment to the greatest extent allowable by law.”
When a person is taking the exam is it possible for them to go back to a previous page and review and/or change their answers?
If you have any questions about the CGP Training Program or need help with your qualifications, please contact us at casqa@casqa.org or schedule a meeting below.
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