Federal vs. State
EPA "Qualified Person" vs. California QSP
EPA's federal Construction General Permit uses the term "qualified person" for site inspections, with no formal EPA certification process. California's QSP is a separate, formally administered state credential. Here's exactly how the two differ.
A Federal Standard vs. a State Credential
"Qualified person" and "QSP" are often used as if they describe the same thing, but they come from two different regulatory systems with two very different levels of formality. Understanding the difference matters for anyone deciding what training their project actually requires.
EPA does not certify, license, or credential individuals as a "qualified person." California's QSP, by contrast, is a formally administered credential with an exam, renewal, and registration requirement.
How Each Works
Federal "Qualified Person" and California QSP
EPA's Federal "Qualified Person" (CGP)
EPA's 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP) requires that site inspections be performed by a "qualified person", someone knowledgeable in the principles and practices of erosion and sediment control. EPA does not itself certify, license, or credential individuals for this role. EPA provides a free Construction Inspection Training Course as a resource, and it is the permittee/operator's responsibility to determine and document who on their team meets the standard. See EPA's Construction General Permit Inspector Training page.
California's QSP (Qualified SWPPP Practitioner)
California's statewide Construction General Permit requires a QSP to implement and inspect the SWPPP in the field. QSP status is administered through CASQA and the California State Water Resources Control Board, and requires prerequisites, Trainer of Record-led instruction, a proctored exam, periodic renewal, and formal registration.
Comparison
Qualified Person vs. QSP
| Aspect | EPA "Qualified Person" (Federal) | California QSP |
|---|---|---|
| Governing framework | EPA 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP) | California statewide Construction General Permit |
| Administered by | EPA (no individual certification issued) | CASQA / California State Water Resources Control Board |
| Formal exam required | No | Yes, proctored |
| Renewal required | N/A | Yes, periodic |
| Registration | N/A, permittee determines and documents qualification | Registered/tracked through CASQA |
| Free training available | Yes, EPA Construction Inspection Training Course | No, CASQA course has a fee |
Before You Enroll
Which One Applies to Your Project?
If your project is under EPA's directly-issued CGP (currently Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, DC, and most territories and tribal lands) or under a state permit that uses the federal "qualified person" concept without a separate state credential, EPA's free training course and your employer's documented qualification process apply. If your project is under California's statewide Construction General Permit, you need the formally registered QSP credential through CASQA, a general training certificate does not substitute for it. See Federal Qualified Person vs. California QSP/QSD for the full breakdown, including how California's QSD role fits in, and Credential Transparency for what a stormwaterplanning.us certificate does and doesn't represent.
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