Who Needs FDEP FSESCI Training in Florida?

Florida construction and land-development projects must manage stormwater runoff, erosion, sedimentation, and other potential pollutants. For many professionals, the Florida Stormwater, Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector—or FSESCI—program provides a recognized pathway to becoming qualified to inspect construction-site stormwater controls.

However, the correct question is not simply, “Does everyone working around stormwater need FSESCI certification?” The better question is:

What permit, contract, ordinance, employer policy, or assigned responsibility governs the person’s work?

What Is the FSESCI Program?

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s FSESCI program teaches participants how to select, install, maintain, and inspect erosion, sedimentation, and stormwater Best Management Practices, commonly called BMPs.

The two-day inspector program follows the official Tier I and Tier II curriculum:

• Tier I introduces stormwater, erosion and sedimentation control, and the proper selection, installation, and maintenance of BMPs.
• Tier II addresses applicable regulations, inspection procedures, documentation, forms, and enforcement considerations.

After completing the course, participants take a proctored examination. A score of at least 70 percent is required to receive the FSESCI Qualified Inspector certificate. Additional program information is available through the official FSESCI training website.

Who Commonly Takes FSESCI Training?

FSESCI training is commonly appropriate for people whose work involves installing, supervising, inspecting, documenting, reviewing, or enforcing construction-site stormwater controls, including:

• Construction-site inspectors
• Public works and stormwater utility employees
• Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System—or MS4—personnel
• Site-development contractors and supervisors
• Developers, builders, and construction managers
• Engineers and engineering technicians
• Environmental consultants
• Permit-compliance personnel
• Code enforcement and regulatory staff
• BMP installers and operators
• Project managers responsible for stormwater compliance

Some participants need the qualification to perform assigned inspections. Others attend because they supervise qualified inspectors, review reports, install BMPs, manage contractors, or need a stronger understanding of stormwater compliance.

Is FSESCI Qualification Always Required?

Not necessarily.

Florida’s NPDES Construction Generic Permit requires covered construction sites to be inspected by a “qualified inspector.” The permit’s definition recognizes several possible qualification pathways:

1. Successful completion of the FDEP stormwater inspector training program;
2. Successful completion of an equivalent formal training program; or
3. Other training or practical experience in stormwater pollution prevention and erosion and sedimentation control.

Therefore, FSESCI is a recognized and well-documented qualification pathway, but the Construction Generic Permit does not state that every person associated with a construction project must hold an FSESCI certificate.

An agency, project owner, MS4 permit, local ordinance, contract, or employer may impose more specific requirements. Some organizations therefore require FSESCI qualification even when another pathway might otherwise satisfy the general permit definition.

FSESCI and MS4 Responsibilities

Cities, counties, special districts, transportation agencies, universities, and other public organizations may operate regulated MS4 programs.

Depending on the agency’s permit and procedures, FSESCI training may be required or strongly preferred for employees who:

• Inspect active construction sites;
• Enforce erosion and sediment-control requirements;
• Review inspection reports;
• Oversee contractors;
• Document corrective actions; or
• Support the agency’s construction-site runoff-control program.

MS4 managers should review their current permit, stormwater management program, standard operating procedures, and training plan before determining which employees need initial qualification or continuing training.

FSESCI Is Not the Same as Every Florida Stormwater Qualification

Florida’s stormwater requirements arise from several different regulatory programs. The FSESCI program is closely associated with construction-site erosion and sediment-control inspections under the NPDES Construction Generic Permit.

Florida’s Environmental Resource Permit—or ERP—program has separate qualified-inspector provisions. FDEP provides information about these requirements and the separate Stormwater Qualified Inspector Training program through its ERP Stormwater Resource Center.

Before enrolling an employee, determine whether the person’s duties arise under:

• The NPDES Construction Generic Permit;
• An MS4 permit;
• An Environmental Resource Permit;
• A local ordinance;
• A project specification or contract;
• An employer qualification policy; or
• Another regulatory program.

Completing FSESCI training should not be represented as automatically satisfying every stormwater-inspector requirement in Florida.

A Practical Qualification Checklist

Before deciding who needs FSESCI training, ask:

1. What permit or regulatory program governs the work?
2. Will the employee install BMPs, conduct inspections, review reports, supervise contractors, or enforce requirements?
3. How does the applicable permit define a qualified inspector?
4. Does the project owner, MS4, employer, or contract specifically require FSESCI qualification?
5. What documentation must be retained to demonstrate the employee’s qualification?
6. Is recurring or supplemental training required by the employer or permit?

When the answer is unclear, confirm the requirement with the permittee, project engineer, MS4 coordinator, permitting authority, or other responsible professional.

FSESCI Training Through Tampa Bay Training

Tampa Bay Training’s FSESCI and stormwater programs serve municipalities, public works departments, utilities, contractors, developers, engineering firms, consultants, and other organizations throughout Florida.

Tampa Bay Training is an approved FSESCI provider—FDEP Provider #15. Peter Cavalli, MPA, is also listed as an instructor on the official FSESCI class schedule.

The official inspector program includes:

• Two days of instructor-led training;
• Tier I and Tier II curriculum;
• Instruction based on the official FDEP manual;
• A proctored examination;
• A minimum passing score of 70 percent; and
• The FSESCI Qualified Inspector certificate for participants who satisfy the applicable completion and examination requirements.

Scheduled classes may be offered through open enrollment, while agencies and organizations may request private onsite or live-online training.

Continuing-Education Credit

Some participants may be eligible for professional-development or continuing-education credit. Eligibility, credit type, number of hours, documentation requirements, and acceptance can vary by profession, licensing organization, course delivery, and current approval.

Participants should confirm available credit with Tampa Bay Training before registering and verify acceptance with their licensing or certification authority before claiming credit. The FSESCI qualification certificate and any continuing-education documentation should be treated as separate records.

Build a Stronger Stormwater Compliance Program

Effective stormwater compliance requires more than passing an examination. Organizations also need clear responsibilities, trained BMP installers, consistent inspections, accurate documentation, timely corrective action, and knowledgeable supervision.

Tampa Bay Training provides training, consulting, and coaching services to help Florida organizations strengthen their stormwater knowledge and workforce capabilities.

Explore our FDEP FSESCI training options, review upcoming classes at Tampa Bay Training’s open-enrollment portal, or contact Tampa Bay Training to discuss private training for your organization.

This article provides general educational information and should not be used as a substitute for reviewing the applicable permit, rule, contract, or professional advice.

Peter Cavalli, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
Tampa Bay Training