Stormwater management is an important responsibility for Florida local governments, public works departments, utilities, developers, contractors, engineering firms, and environmental professionals.
When construction and land-disturbing activities expose soil, stormwater runoff can transport sediment and other pollutants into storm drains, canals, lakes, rivers, wetlands, estuaries, and coastal waters. Properly selected, installed, maintained, and inspected best management practices—or BMPs—help manage those risks.
The Florida Stormwater, Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector program provides a recognized training pathway for professionals involved in construction-site stormwater inspections. However, completing the course does not transfer the permit holder’s responsibilities, guarantee site compliance, or grant universal enforcement authority.
The Florida Stormwater, Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector Training and Certification Program is implemented through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The program is designed to educate BMP installers and inspectors about:
The state program consists of a two-day course based on the Florida Stormwater, Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspector’s Manual. Following the instructional portion, participants complete a one-hour proctored examination.
A score of at least 70% is required to receive the FSESCI Qualified Inspector certificate.
The FSESCI curriculum progresses through two related tiers.
Tier I introduces stormwater, erosion, and sedimentation-control principles. It focuses on helping BMP installers and operators understand how to select, install, maintain, and restore erosion and sediment controls.
Common BMP categories discussed during the program may include:
The appropriate BMP depends on the site, soil, drainage patterns, construction sequence, permit requirements, approved plans, and field conditions. Training should not be used as a substitute for project-specific engineering or permit direction.
Tier II builds on the installer material and focuses on inspection responsibilities. Topics include applicable regulations, inspection forms, BMP performance, maintenance needs, documentation, and the identification of conditions requiring corrective action.
FSESCI training prepares participants to conduct inspections, but it does not independently grant authority to issue citations, approve engineering changes, sign on behalf of a permit holder, or take enforcement action. Those powers depend on the participant’s position, employer, contract, permit, local ordinance, and delegated authority.
FSESCI training may be appropriate for:
The correct training decision depends on the employee’s actual duties, the applicable permit, contract requirements, employer policy, and the authority having jurisdiction. A job title alone does not determine whether someone must hold an FSESCI certificate.
Florida’s NPDES Construction Generic Permit requires covered construction sites to be inspected by a qualified inspector.
The permit’s definition of a qualified inspector includes a person who:
FSESCI is therefore a recognized and readily documented qualification pathway, but it is not the only qualification pathway identified in the permit.
The Construction Generic Permit contains inspection-frequency, reporting, corrective-action, stabilization, and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan requirements. Those responsibilities belong to the site operator and other designated parties—not solely to the inspector.
Organizations should review the current permit and obtain appropriate environmental, engineering, or legal guidance when determining whether permit coverage applies.
Florida’s updated statewide stormwater rules created additional inspection requirements for certain stormwater management systems regulated under the Environmental Resource Permitting program.
According to the FDEP ERP Stormwater Resource Center, qualified-inspector requirements under Section 12.5(c) of the ERP Applicant’s Handbook Volume I became applicable to affected inspections beginning June 28, 2025. FDEP identifies the UF/IFAS Stormwater Qualified Inspector Training program, known as SQuInT, as a resource developed to assist with those requirements.
The ERP inspection framework is not identical to construction-site inspection under the NPDES Construction Generic Permit. Do not assume that FSESCI automatically satisfies every ERP, MS4, local-government, contract, or employer requirement.
Confirm the governing program and required qualification before assigning an inspector.
The applicable permit and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan control the inspection. A practical inspection process commonly includes the following activities.
The inspector should understand:
The inspector may need to evaluate:
Inspectors should document observed conditions rather than relying solely on memory or informal conversations.
The inspection report should follow the applicable permit and organizational requirements. Depending on the governing documents, it may need to identify:
Training does not remove the need for clear communication, timely corrective action, proper record retention, and supervisory review.
Successful stormwater management requires an operational system—not simply a certificate.
Organizations should also establish:
Annual MS4 or NPDES refresher education is not the same as completing the FSESCI program. Agencies may need both the state qualification program and shorter organization-specific updates addressing local procedures, permit obligations, illicit discharges, spill response, good housekeeping, documentation, and recurring field problems.
Tampa Bay Training is an approved FSESCI training provider, Provider #15.
Our instructor-led FSESCI program includes the Tier I and Tier II curriculum, followed by the applicable proctored examination. The typical program includes approximately 16 hours of instruction plus examination requirements.
Available options include:
The state FSESCI certification course is not offered by Tampa Bay Training as an independent self-paced program.
Individuals and small groups can review upcoming FSESCI classes and register through Eventbrite.
Organizations can request private FSESCI or customized stormwater training. Private programs generally have a seven-participant billing minimum and are subject to scheduling, facility, technology, travel, and provider requirements.
For registration assistance, private scheduling, accommodations, invoicing, or certificate questions, contact:
Cindy Torres
Customer Service Manager
813-360-1526
service@tampabaytraining.com
Review the complete Tampa Bay Training FDEP FSESCI and stormwater training guide before registering.
FSESCI training provides a strong foundation for understanding construction-site erosion, sedimentation, BMPs, and inspection responsibilities. Effective stormwater management ultimately depends on how consistently that knowledge is applied.
Qualified personnel, sound plans, well-maintained BMPs, accurate inspections, responsive corrective action, and accountable management must work together to protect Florida’s water resources.
Policies & Customer Information
Practical workforce, safety, and leadership training for Florida local government, public works, utilities, engineering, construction, and infrastructure organizations.
© 2026 Tampa Bay Training All Rights Reserved | TBT Policies