CISEC cheat sheet

CISEC training is organized into sequential modules; Module 1 covers the regulatory framework (Clean Water Act, NPDES, state delegation), and later modules build on it, so module order equals prerequisite order.

Each module follows a consistent internal structure: learning objectives, core content, worked inspection examples, knowledge check, and summary - the layout repeats so learners can predict where to find each element.

Module 4 (Conducting Construction Site Inspections) is the field-practice module; it assumes prior completion of the regulatory and BMP-selection modules and is the module most tied to the certification exam's inspection items.

Learning objectives are written as observable actions (identify, evaluate, document, determine compliance) rather than as topics, which maps directly onto exam stems that ask what an inspector should do next.

Knowledge-check questions at the end of each module mirror exam item style: scenario-based, single best answer, with distractors drawn from common field misconceptions.

Reference tables and BMP fact sheets inside modules are job aids, not exam content to memorize verbatim; the exam tests the decision rule behind the table, not the table's layout.

Module completion is tracked per module; partial completion does not satisfy the training prerequisite - the full sequence must be completed before the certification exam is attempted.

Visuals in modules (site diagrams, BMP details, inspection forms) are illustrative of field conditions; the exam supplies its own scenario text and never depends on a specific module graphic.

Inspection frequency: the permit's inspection schedule governs; a common NPDES construction general permit standard is at least once every 7 days and within 24 hours after any storm event that produces measurable discharge (verify against the applicable permit).

Inspect during or immediately after a rain event to observe actual performance of BMPs, not just their presence; dry-weather inspections verify installation and maintenance status.

Inspection sequence: start at the project perimeter and discharge points (downstream first), then move upgradient through the site so observed off-site impacts can be traced to their source.

Four inspection decision questions per BMP: Is it installed? Is it the correct type for the location? Is it functional (not clogged, torn, undercut, or sediment-filled)? Is it maintained per the plan?

Documentation must be contemporaneous and include date, time, inspector name and signature, weather and rainfall data, BMPs checked, deficiencies found, corrective actions required, and the deadline for correction.

A deficiency becomes a compliance issue when it is not corrected within the permit-specified timeframe; tracking the correction date, not just the finding, is part of the inspection record.

Non-stormwater discharges must be identified and eliminated; inspection includes tracing flows to their source (concrete washout, dewatering, equipment washing, dust control runoff) and confirming authorization status.

Sediment accumulations have numeric triggers in many permits (commonly removal at roughly one-third to one-half of BMP design capacity); the inspector measures rather than estimates by eye.

Photograph deficiencies with a scale reference and location identifier; photos supplement but never replace the written inspection report.

CISEC certification is a professional credential administered by an independent certifying body; it is not a government license and does not itself authorize work that a state license covers.

Exam eligibility requires completion of the full training module sequence; registration is separate from training enrollment, so completing modules does not automatically schedule the exam.

The exam is computer-based, multiple-choice, closed-book, and scored against a passing standard set by the certifying body; results are reported as pass/fail with domain-level feedback where provided.

Certification is time-limited and must be renewed; renewal requires documented continuing education or professional development units within the certification cycle plus the renewal fee.

Lapsed certification: after the grace period, re-examination or a reinstatement process is typically required - continuing education alone does not restore an expired credential.

Maintain a personal record of course certificates, attendance verification, and PDH documentation; the certifying body may audit renewal submissions and require proof.

Certification is individual, not organizational: it does not transfer when an inspector changes employers, and it cannot be held by a company.

Verify current fees, cycle length, and CE hour requirements directly with the certifying body each cycle; these administrative numbers change and are not fixed by the exam content outline.

California regulates construction stormwater under the statewide Construction General Permit (CGP) issued by the State Water Resources Control Board; coverage requires filing permit registration documents and paying the annual fee.

Risk determination: projects are assigned Risk Level 1, 2, or 3 based on sediment risk and receiving water risk; Risk Level 3 carries the most stringent BMP and monitoring requirements.

A Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) prepares, modifies, and certifies the SWPPP and the risk assessment; only a QSD may make substantive changes to the SWPPP.

A Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) implements the SWPPP in the field: conducts inspections, oversees BMP installation and maintenance, and performs or arranges required sampling and reporting.

QSD and QSP qualifications require specific education plus experience combinations and completion of the state-approved QSD/QSP training course; the certificate must be current and the individual listed on the project.

Inspection frequency under the CGP is tied to risk level and storm events, with additional pre-storm and post-storm requirements for higher-risk sites; the SWPPP must reflect the actual inspection schedule.

Rain Event Action Plans (REAPs) are required for certain higher-risk sites and must be prepared before the rainy season, specifying the actions and staffing to be deployed ahead of a forecast storm.

Annual reports and numeric action level (NAL) exceedance reporting are QSP/QSD responsibilities; exceedances trigger follow-up sampling and, if persistent, an evaluation of BMP effectiveness.

The Construction General Permit is reissued periodically; projects must comply with the version in effect for their coverage, and QSDs must track reissuance for permit term changes.