The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
Construction Stormwater Operator and SESC Plan Review and Design Training, Exam and Recertification
Construction Stormwater Operator and SESC Plan Review and Design Training, Exam and Recertification
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) certifies Construction Stormwater Operators and provides certification for Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Review and Design under Part 31 and Part 91 of the NREPA, P.A. 451, as amended.
Construction Stormwater Operator Certifications and Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Review and Design Certifications are valid until July 1, five years from the year in which you take and pass the certification exam.
Construction StormWater Operator (CSWO) Certification
Certification as a CSWO / Soil Erosion Inspector allows you to:
- Inspect sites to determine compliance with a Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) Plan
- Document Inspection
- Identify SESC measures that are failing or require maintenance
- Identify areas where additional SESC measures may be necessary
- Report to landowner (or Comprehensive Certified individuals for employees or contractors for Part 91 Enforcing Agencies or Authorized Public Agencies) inspection findings, including any corrective or additional action recommended.
- Certified CSWOs may be the same person responsible for installing and maintaining the SESC measures; however, this is not a required duty under the certification
Training and Exam - $95
EGLE provides a self-training curriculum for CSWO Operators:
- Review Part 91 and the Part 91 Rules
- Michigan's Permit-By-Rule R 323.2190 in the Construction Stormwater/SESC Inspector Training Manual, Appendix 5Ae
- Units 1-5 of the Construction Stormwater/SESC Inspector Training Manual
- The Construction Stormwater/SESC Inspector training videos on EGLE's YouTube Channel
- CSW Certified Operator and SESC Inspector Virtual Training (recorded 11/9/2021)
Those who want to become certified must review the training material prior to taking Construction Stormwater Operator Exam. Payment instructions for the $95 certification/exam fee will be provided upon exam registration.
Exam Information
- All exams are administered via an online platform (Evaexam).
- You will receive an email with your specific exam link on the date you select.
- You have 24 hours to open the exam. Once you access the link, you have two (2) hours to complete the exam.
CSWO Exam Dates:
- November 20, 2024 (registration closes Nov 13)
- December 11, 2024 (registration closes Dec 4)
- January 15, 2025 (registration closes Jan 8)
- February 26, 2025 (registration closes Feb 19)
- March 26, 2025 (registration closes Mar 19)
- May 21, 2025 (registration closes May 14)
- June 11, 2025 (registration closes June 4)
- July 30, 2025 (registration closes July 23)
- August 27, 2025 (registration closes Aug 20)
- September 17, 2025 (registration closes Sept 10)
- November 19, 2025 (registration closes Nov 13)
- December 17, 2025 (registration closes Dec 10)
Certification Renewal - $95
The renewal form and $95 renewal fee must be submitted by August 31 for all certifications that expire this year in order to keep your certification. Certifications may be renewed no earlier than January 1 of the year of expiration. If you have any questions about this process, please contact Sarah Marshall at MarshallS15@Michigan.gov or 517-388-6679.
Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Review and Design Certification*
Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) Plan Review and Design (PRD) Certification allows you to:
- Review and/or design SESC Plans
- Make final decisions regarding SESC permit issuance or denial
- Make determinations one whether or not to pursue enforcement action for noncompliance with Part 91
- Make plan updates as an employee or contractor for an Authorized Public Agency or request plan updates of permittees
- Review and/or design SESC measures or make determinations that design assistance is needed for SESC measures (e.g., sediment basins, diversions, riprap sizing, etc.)
Training and Exam - $95
EGLE provides a self-training curriculum for SESC PRD Operators:
- Review Part 91 and the Part 91 Rules
- Units 6-8 of the the Construction Stormwater/SESC Inspector Training Manual
- Appendix 1 of the Construction Stormwater/SESC Inspector Training Manual
- The SESC Plan Review and Design training videos on EGLE's YouTube Channel
- SESC PRD Training (Recorded Jan. 2023): Session 1 | Session 2 | Session 3
Those who want to become certified must review the training material prior to taking SESC PRD Exam. Payment instructions for the $95 certification/exam fee will be provided at registration.
*The CSWO Certification is a prerequisite to SESC PRD Certification. If you do not currently have the CSWO Certification, you MAY elect to register for and take both the CSWO exam and the SESC PRD exam.
Exam Information
- All exams are administered via an online platform (Evaexam).
- You will receive an email with your specific exam link on the date you select.
- You have 24 hours to open the exam. Once you access the link, you have two (2) hours to complete the exam.
SESC PRD Exam Dates:
- November 21, 2024 (registration closes Nov 14)
- December 12, 2024 (registration closes Dec 5)
- January 16, 2025 (registration closes Jan 9)
- February 27, 2025 (registration closes Feb 20)
- March 27, 2025 (registration closes Mar 20)
- May 22, 2025 (registration closes May 15)
- June 12, 2025 (registration closes June 5)
- July 31, 2025 (registration closes July 24)
- August 28, 2025 (registration closes Aug 21)
- September 18, 2025 (registration closes Sept 11)
- November 20, 2025 (registration closes Nov 14)
- December 18, 2025 (registration closes Dec 11)
Certification Renewal - $95
The renewal form and $95 renewal fee must be submitted by July 1 for all certifications that expire this year in order to keep your certification. Certifications may be renewed no earlier than January 1 of the year of expiration. If you have any questions about this process, please contact Sarah Marshall at MarshallS15@Michigan.gov or 517-388-6679.
SESC PRD Virtual Refresher Training Webinar (recorded 4/27/22)
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Q1. Who needs CSW Operator/SESC Inspector Training?
A. Any site where an earth change over one (1) acre in size will be made, with a point source discharge to the water of the state, must be under the oversight of a certified Construction StormWater (CSW) Operator. Site with an earth change over five (5) acres in size with a point source discharge to waters of the state will not be issued a Notice of Coverage until they have a certified CSW Operator for the site. The certified operator can be anyone, from the landowner to an excavator, as long as they hold a valid CSW training certificate.
If you are working for a Part 91 Enforcing Agency or Authorized Public Agency (see Part 91 Agency list), all individuals responsible for making decisions related to soil erosion and sedimentation control are required to have a valid certificate of training. EGLE has determined that the Construction Stormwater Operator Certification is equivalent to inspector level training for Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control. The Construction Stormwater Operator Certification is also the prerequisite for SESC Plan Review & Design Training. All employees or contractors for the Part 91 Agency who are responsible for making Soil Erosion related decisions for the Part 91 agency are required to have, at a minimum, inspector level training.
-
Q2. Who needs SESC Plan Review & Design Training?
A. Individuals who work for a Part 91 Enforcing Agency or Authorized Public Agency (see Part 91 Agency list), and responsible for plan review and/or design, permit issuance determinations, and decisions on enforcement actions are required to have a valid SESC Plan Review & Design Training certificate. At a minimum, at least one individual must have SESC Plan Review & Design Training. Consultants or others may take SESC Plan Review & Design Training to further their understanding of the Part 91 plan review and design expectations; however, the ability to make decisions under the certification is contingent upon employment or contracting with a Part 91 agency.
-
Q3. If I have a valid CSW Operator Certification from several years ago, do I need to retake the CSW Operator/SESC Inspector Training?
A. No. Provided you have maintained a valid Construction Stormwater Operator Certification, you do not need to retake the training at this time. If you fail to renew your certification, you will be required to retake the exam.
-
Q4. If my CSW Operator Certification expires on July of this year, can I take the SESC Plan Review & Training exam in May?
A. Yes. If you have a valid Construction Stormwater Operator Certification at the time you register and take the SESC Plan Review & Design exam, you may take the SESC Plan Review & Design Training.
-
Q5. When will I receive my exam results?
A. Typically, you will receive your preliminary results via email two to three weeks following the exam date, and your formal certificate and exam results will be mailed to your home address within four to six weeks. You must pay for your exam before results are issued. Contact Alyssa Sarver at SarverA@Michigan.gov or 517-881-1371 if you have questions about your certificate or exam results.
-
Q6. Will I get any documentation from EGLE when I renew my certification?
A. Yes, a letter will be sent with the Certified Operator ID and a new expiration date.