FEDERAL QUALIFIED PERSON VS. CALIFORNIA QSP/QSD, MACHINE-READABLE SUMMARY
stormwaterplanning.us/federal-qualified-person-vs-california-qsp-qsd/

## THE SHORT VERSION
"Qualified person" (federal) and "QSP/QSD" (California) are two different systems, run by
two different bodies, with two different requirements. Neither is automatically satisfied
by a general online training certificate from any provider, including this site.

## FEDERAL: EPA'S 2022 CONSTRUCTION GENERAL PERMIT (CGP)
EPA's 2022 CGP requires that inspections be performed by a "qualified person" who is
knowledgeable in the principles and practices of erosion and sediment control. EPA does
NOT itself certify or license individuals for this role. EPA provides a free Construction
Inspection Training Course as a resource, and leaves the qualification determination to
the permittee/operator. Official links:
- https://www.epa.gov/npdes/construction-general-permit-inspector-training
- https://www.epa.gov/npdes/construction-inspection-training-course

## CALIFORNIA: QSP / QSD QUALIFICATION
California's statewide Construction General Permit requires:
- QSP (Qualified SWPPP Practitioner), implements and inspects the SWPPP in the field.
- QSD (Qualified SWPPP Developer), develops and revises the SWPPP document.
Both are administered through CASQA and the California State Water Resources Control
Board's Construction General Permit Training Program, and require prerequisites, Trainer
of Record instruction, a proctored exam, renewal, and registration, NOT just a
certificate of completion from any online provider. Official links:
- https://www.casqa.org/training
- https://www.casqa.org/training/cgp-training/qsd-qsp-overview
- https://water.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/stormwater/construction/general_permit_reissuance.html

## WHAT A STORMWATERPLANNING.US CERTIFICATE IS
A certificate of completion documenting finished training content aligned with CWA/NPDES/
CGP principles. It is not EPA "qualified person" certification and it is not California
QSP/QSD registration.

## RELATED PAGES
- /qualified-swppp-practitioner-qsp-training/
- /qualified-swppp-preparer-training/
- /state-stormwater-permit-requirements/
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Compliance · Clarity

Federal Qualified Person vs. California QSP/QSD

EPA's 2022 Construction General Permit uses the term "qualified person" for site inspections. California uses an entirely separate system, QSP and QSD, administered through CASQA and the State Water Resources Control Board. Here's how they differ, and why a general training certificate isn't automatically either one.

Two Systems, Two Names, Two Sets of Rules

"Qualified person" and "QSP/QSD" are sometimes used loosely as if they mean the same thing. They don't. One is a federal inspection standard under EPA's Construction General Permit. The other is a California state qualification program with its own prerequisites, instruction, exams, renewal, and registration. Knowing which one applies to your project, and what a training certificate can and can't substitute for, matters before you enroll in any course.

A general online certificate of completion, including the certificates issued by this site's courses, does not automatically equal California QSP/QSD qualification. QSP/QSD status is only granted through the CASQA/State Water Board pathway described below.

Side by Side

How Each System Works

Federal: EPA's 2022 Construction General Permit "Qualified Person"

EPA's 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP) requires that site inspections be carried out by a "qualified person", someone knowledgeable in the principles and practices of erosion and sediment control. Importantly, EPA does not itself certify, license, or credential individuals for this role. EPA provides a free Construction Inspection Training Course as a resource, and the permittee/operator is responsible for determining and documenting who on their team meets the "qualified person" standard. See EPA's Construction General Permit Inspector Training page for the current federal guidance.

California: QSP and QSD Qualification

California's statewide Construction General Permit requires two distinct, state-issued qualifications. A QSP (Qualified SWPPP Practitioner) implements and inspects the SWPPP in the field. A QSD (Qualified SWPPP Developer) develops and revises the SWPPP document itself. Both are administered through CASQA and the California State Water Resources Control Board, and require prerequisites, instruction from a registered Trainer of Record, a proctored exam, periodic renewal, and formal registration. See CASQA's QSD/QSP Training Overview for the full pathway.

Comparison

Federal Qualified Person vs. California QSP vs. California QSD

Aspect Federal Qualified Person (EPA CGP) California QSP California QSD
Administered by EPA (no individual certification issued) CASQA / California State Water Resources Control Board CASQA / California State Water Resources Control Board
Role Performs site inspections Implements and inspects the SWPPP in the field Develops and revises the SWPPP document
Prerequisites None specified by EPA Relevant experience/education per CASQA requirements Relevant experience/education per CASQA requirements (typically higher than QSP)
Required instruction Free EPA Construction Inspection Training Course (a resource, not mandatory certification) Trainer of Record-led CASQA course Trainer of Record-led CASQA course
Exam None required by EPA Proctored exam required Proctored exam required
Renewal N/A Periodic renewal required Periodic renewal required
Registration N/A, permittee determines and documents qualification Registered/tracked through CASQA Registered/tracked through CASQA

Before You Enroll

What This Means for Your Certificate

The courses on this site, QSP Practitioner Training and SWPPP Preparer Training, provide general stormwater compliance training and issue a certificate of completion. That certificate documents finished training content; it is not EPA "qualified person" certification and it is not California QSP/QSD registration. If your project falls under California's statewide Construction General Permit and requires state-registered QSP or QSD status, that status can only be obtained through the CASQA/State Water Board pathway described above. See Credential Transparency for a full breakdown of what a certificate from this site does and doesn't mean.

Always verify your project's specific permit requirements with EPA, your state permitting authority, or CASQA before assuming any training course, from this site or any other provider, satisfies a state-specific credential.

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