Stormwater and erosion certifications must be renewed every three years. Recertification is tracked in the Certification Accreditation Tracking System (CATS) and must occur before the certification expires.

Watch this overview of CATS to learn how to set up an account, enter contact hours, combine certifications and more.

Looking for ways to recertify? Visit the Continuing Education page. 

Recertification Requirements

There are three options for recertifying:

  1. Retake the certification examination with PearsonVue before certificate expires.

  2. Complete required contact hours by completing DEQ continuing education courses (or other relevant training). Enter contact hour information into CATS and pay the recertification fee before the certification expires. 

    Program admin = 12 hours
    Inspector = 18 hours
    Plan reviewer = 21 hours
    Combined admin = 24 hours

  3. Maintain a Virginia professional license (see the Licensed Professional FAQ). Enter the license number into CATS and pay the recertification fee.

CATS is an online self-service system used to re-certify stormwater or erosion certifications. Within CATS, individuals can also combine two of the same types of certifications into a dual certification (e.g. SWM Inspector & ESC Inspector into a Dual Inspector) or combine program administrator/ inspector/plan reviewer certifications into a combined administrator certification.

Renewal Fees
Determining Contact Hour Relevance