Frequently Asked Questions
What types of projects does NCDOT require a certified person?
How often is re-certification required?
Will an employee need to take one or two classes?
Can a Level II Foreman substitute for a Level I Installer?
Do Professional Engineers need to be certified with NCDOT?
Is another state’s Erosion Control/Stormwater Certification acceptable as a substitute by NCDOT?
Can I be exempted from the training and only sit for the certification examination?
Are these courses taught in Spanish?
Can my company sponsor a workshop at a facility of my selection?
How many PDH’s are offered for Level III?
What happens when enough people do not sign up for a class?
How do I handle the Level III certification if I am currently certified for Level III-A or III-B?
If I have a Level III certification, do I have to get Level I or Level II certified?
What types of projects does NCDOT require a certified person?
Any contracted project by NCDOT that has an erosion and sediment control (E&SC) plan requires a certified person.
How often is re-certification required?
All certifications will expire on December 31 of the third year following examination. For example, if a person takes a course on January 22, 2008 and passes the certification exam, the certification for that person will expire on December 31, 2011. In comparison, the person’s certification from December 15, 2008 will also expire on December 31, 2011.
If my certification has expired, can I still take the re-certification workshop and sit for the re-certification exam?
To qualify for the re-certification course, certifications must be current or have expired withing the last year (Example, if your certification expired 12/31/2017, you have until 12/31/2018 to take the re-certification course). Participants whose certification expired over a year ago must retake the full certification workshop and exam.
Does the Level III: Site Management Workshop cover everything that is offered at the Level I: Installer/Inspector Workshop?
No, they are two separate workshops addressing two separate issues and two different audiences. The course materials are different. The Level I: Installer/Inspector workshop covers the installation of erosion and sediment control devices such as basins, rock check dams, seeding and mulching, etc. The Level II: Site Management covers permit requirements, consequences of violation, risk assessment, how to be in compliance with requirements, changes in plan, and project administration.
Will an employee need to take one or two or three classes?
You do not need to take Level I to take Level II or to take Level III. The workshops have separate audiences. Please read the course announcements and determine the necessary workshop based on your function on the NCDOT project. Attendees do no have to take all three classes, only the class that pertains to his/her work or responsibility.
Can a Level II Foreman substitute for a Level I Installer?
Per the E&SC/Stormwater Certification Special Provisions for NCDOT Contracts: “If a Certified Installer is not on-site, the Contractor may substitute a Level I Installer with a Level II Foreman, provided the Level II Foreman is not tasked to another crew requiring Level II Foreman oversight.”
Where do I find the Erosion & Sediment Control/Stormwater Certification Special Provision for DOT Contracts?
Please view the PDF file special_provision
Do Professional Engineers need to be certified with NCDOT?
Yes, this certification is required for all NCDOT projects.
If I have a CPESC, CPSWQ, or CESSWI certification, do I need to become certified through NCDOT’s certification program also?
For Level I, the CESSWI and CPESC certifications may be used as substitutes.
For Level II, the CPESC certification may be used as a substitute.
For Level III, the CPESC, CPSWQ, and CESSWI certifications may NOT be used as substitutes.
For reciprocity, please send your current CPESC certification number to Joni Tanner at joni_tanner@ncsu.edu. Ms. Tanner will confirm with the board that you are in good standing prior to issuing reciprocity.
Is another state’s Erosion Control/Stormwater Certification acceptable as a substitute by NCDOT?
No. Only North Carolina Erosion Control/Stormwater Certification is accepted by the NCDOT.
How many people should attend from our company and how many certified people will be required on a NCDOT project?
There may be several certified people on one project depending on the type of work being done and if there are any subcontractors. For example, there may be a grading contractor, a bridge contractor, and a seeding contractor all on the same project. In addition, there are NCDOT personnel. Each operation requires a certified person to direct their respective portions of overall work.
Can I be exempted from the training and only sit for the certification examination?
Yes. For Levels I and II, please contact Joni Tanner at joni_tanner@ncsu.edu or (919)513-1678 to schedule an exam for Level I or II. It is highly recommended that all individuals who would like to sit for the Level III exam attend the Level III workshop. The exam is quite difficult and multiple people fail it each time it is administered. However, if you are unable to take the course, there is a “test only” option. For more information, please visit this website.
Are these courses taught in Spanish?
No. Currently the course is only taught in English and the written exam is only offered in English.
Is this certification required by law? Do counties and other units of government have to participate to ensure their funding?
This is not required by law. It will not impact funding. This initiative is to ensure compliance with permit requirements and to ensure consistency on projects. As a component of NCDOT’s Environmental Stewardship Policy, the department will strive to provide the highest level of protection for the natural resources of our state. The goal is to provide timely program delivery with environmental excellence on all projects.
Can my company sponsor a Level III workshop at a facility of my selection?
We do not offer private training. Please look at our schedule for the next available class.
How many Professional Engineer or Professional Land Surveyor Professional Development Hours are offered for the Level III workshop?
Seven (7) contact hours are offered for Level III Certification workshop and Four (4) contact hours are offered for the Level III Re-certification workshop. A sign-in sheet will be provided at the registration table. If you are a North Carolina Professional Engineer or Professional Land Surveyor please sign the sheet with your name and PE/PLS license number. If your Professional Engineer or Professional Land Surveyor’s license is from another state, please sign the sheet and self report to your state’s board. We do no send the list of attendees to other boards. If you have a CPESC or CPSWQ certification, you will need to self report to these boards as well.
What happens when enough people do not sign up for a class?
Classes with limited registration (less than 25) will be canceled one week prior to the workshop date. Registrants will be asked to move to a future class. We are sorry for any inconvenience this might cause and thank you for your cooperation.
How do I handle the Level III certification if I am currently certified for Level III-A or III-B?
The Level III certification course replaces the old Levels III-A and III-B and fulfills all requirements of both of those previous certifications. If you were certified for either III-A or III-B, you will take the Level III course to become re-certified with a new Level III certification number effective on the date you pass the examination.
If I have a Level III Certification, do I have to get Level I or Level II certified?
Level III does not cover Level I and Level II unless they have a national level CPESC certification from EnviroCert. Direct all further questions regarding Level I or Level II to Joni Tanner at 919-513-1678.
All other questions.
For all other questions, please contact the workshop training coordinator.