QSD vs QSP in California: Roles and Training

Short answer: Under California’s Construction General Permit (Order 2022-0057-DWQ), a Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) prepares and amends a construction site’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, and a Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) carries it out in the field through inspections, BMP oversight, and sampling. A QSD may do the work of a QSP, but a QSP may not do the work of a QSD.

Both qualifications are earned through the training program the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) runs with the State Water Board, or, for California licensed professional engineers and geologists, by self-certifying with the State Water Board. Industrial facilities use a third role, the Qualified Industrial Storm Water Practitioner (QISP), under the Industrial General Permit.

QSD vs QSP at a glance

	QSD	QSP
Main job	Develops and amends the SWPPP	Implements the SWPPP on site
Signs the SWPPP	Yes	No
Required on site	Inspections within 30 days of construction start, twice a year, and after a numeric action level exceedance	Monthly inspections and inspections before forecasted qualifying storms
Can do the other role’s work	Yes, a QSD may perform QSP work (CGP V.C.5)	No
Prerequisite (CASQA path)	One of five listed credentials, such as a California landscape architect registration or CPESC	One of four listed credentials, such as CESSWI or CISEC
Training	QSD course from a CGP Trainer of Record, then exam	QSP course from a CGP Trainer of Record, then exam
Keeping it current	6 hours of continuing education a year and online renewal every two years	Same

What does a QSD do?

The CGP makes the discharger responsible for retaining a QSD from the beginning of the project through Notice of Termination approval (CGP Section V.C.1). The QSD’s duties include:

Developing the site-specific SWPPP and amending it as needed (Section IV.O.1).
Assessing how construction activities will affect sediment transport, erosion, and other pollutant discharges, and revising the SWPPP when inspections, sampling data, QSP comments, or the QSD’s own observations show a problem (Section V.C.2).
Listing the name, email, and phone number of every QSP-trained delegate in the SWPPP (Section V.C.3).
Signing the SWPPP title sheet (Section IV.O.2).

The QSD must also visit the site. Under Section V.C.4, a QSD performs on-site visual inspections:

within 30 days of construction starting;
within 30 days of the discharger replacing the QSD;
twice a year, once from August through October and once from January through March;
within 14 calendar days after a numeric action level exceedance; and
within any time period Water Board staff request in writing.

What does a QSP do?

The QSP is the person who keeps the SWPPP working day to day. Under CGP Section V.D, the discharger must ensure a QSP:

reviews work done by trained delegates, including inspections, sampling, and BMP installation;
inspects the site once every calendar month;
inspects within 72 hours before a forecasted Qualifying Precipitation Event (a forecast of a 50 percent or greater chance of 0.5 inches or more in 24 hours), or up to 120 hours ahead when the National Weather Service extended forecast is available;
inspects the drainage area within 14 days after a numeric action level exceedance; and
inspects before a Notice of Termination or an acreage change is submitted.

The QSP also verifies that BMPs are installed and maintained, that track-out at site entrances is controlled, that the WDID notice is posted, that sampling follows the SWPPP, that contact information in SMARTS is current, and that problem areas are photographed.

Can a QSP delegate work?

Yes, with limits. A QSP can delegate visual inspections, sampling, and BMP work to trained people such as a superintendent, foreman, or project manager (Section V.E). The QSP must provide foundational and site-specific training, confirm the delegate is competent, and keep a training log uploaded to SMARTS before the delegate starts. Delegates must report issues back to the QSP within 24 hours when a corrective action is needed. A delegate cannot perform the inspections the permit assigns specifically to the QSD or QSP.

How do you become a QSD or QSP?

The CGP sets out two paths in Section V.F.

Path 1: CASQA training program

A person obtains QSD or QSP certification through CASQA in four steps:

Complete a required prerequisite.
Complete the QSD or QSP training course from a qualified CGP Trainer of Record.
Pass the QSD or QSP exam.
Register as a QSD or QSP through the CASQA website.

QSD prerequisites. A QSD applicant must currently hold at least one of:

a California landscape architect registration;
a professional hydrologist registration through the American Institute of Hydrology;
a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) registration through EnviroCert International;
a Certified Professional in Stormwater Quality (CPSWQ) registration through EnviroCert International; or
a prerequisite course approved by the State Water Board’s Division of Water Quality Deputy Director.

QSP prerequisites. A QSP applicant must currently hold at least one of:

a Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Stormwater Inspector (CESSWI) registration through EnviroCert International;
a Certified Inspector of Sediment and Erosion Control (CISEC) registration;
a construction management degree from an accredited four-year institution that includes coursework in erosion and sediment control and stormwater pollution reduction; or
a prerequisite course approved by the Division of Water Quality Deputy Director.

Path 2: California licensed engineers and geologists

California licensed professional engineers and professional geologists may self-certify their eligibility to serve as a QSD or QSP through the State Water Board’s Construction Stormwater Program website and register in SMARTS (Section V.F.2). The State Water Board expects these licensees to have thorough knowledge of the permit and to stay within the scope of their professional license, consistent with the Code of Professional Conduct in Title 16, California Code of Regulations, section 475.

Keeping the qualification current

QSDs and QSPs registered through CASQA must, to stay in good standing:

complete 6 hours of continuing education every year on site assessment, BMP design and implementation, inspection techniques, or monitoring (continuing education for the underlying prerequisite can count); and
complete the online renewal process every two years, including review of permit implementation updates from the Construction General Permit Training Team.

The State Water Board Executive Director or a Regional Water Board Executive Officer can suspend a QSD or QSP certification and require more training if the person lacked adequate knowledge on a site, and can rescind a certification after notice and an opportunity to be heard (Section V.I).

What is a QISP?

A Qualified Industrial Storm Water Practitioner (QISP) is the industrial counterpart, under the Industrial General Permit (Order 2014-0057-DWQ, as amended). Unlike the QSD, a QISP is not needed to write the initial industrial SWPPP. The IGP requires a discharger to designate a QISP for each facility that has entered Level 1 status in the Exceedance Response Action (ERA) process. One QISP may serve more than one facility.

A facility enters Level 1 status when its sampling results exceed a numeric action level for a parameter. The QISP then:

assists with the Level 1 ERA Evaluation of pollutant sources, due by October 1 after Level 1 status begins;
prepares the Level 1 ERA Report, submitted in SMARTS no later than January 1 after Level 1 status begins; and
prepares the Level 2 ERA Action Plan if the facility moves to Level 2 status.

A QISP also helps new dischargers that will discharge to a 303(d) listed impaired water body show they are eligible for coverage.

How to become a QISP. CASQA administers the IGP QISP Training Program. The State Water Board’s QISP page lists five steps in order: register with CASQA and pay the training fee, complete the online training, pass a midterm exam (two attempts), complete training with an IGP Trainer of Record, and pass the final exam (two attempts). California registered professional engineers and geologists in good standing have a separate path: complete the required reading through CASQA and self-certify.

QSD, QSP, or QISP: which do you need?

Your situation	Role you need
Construction disturbing one acre or more, before work starts	A QSD to prepare the SWPPP
Construction underway	A QSP for monthly and pre-storm inspections, with the QSD’s required visits
Small team, one qualified person	A QSD can cover both roles
Industrial facility at Baseline status	No QISP required; the discharger implements the SWPPP
Industrial facility in Level 1 or Level 2 status	A QISP

For background on the plan itself, read what a SWPPP is, and for deadlines see SWPPP requirements in California.

How Exodus helps

Exodus Water Services has certified stormwater staff who prepare SWPPPs and carry out the inspections, monitoring, and SMARTS reporting the Construction and Industrial General Permits require. See our stormwater compliance services or contact us. Call (805) 991-7333 to discuss your project or facility.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a QSD and a QSP? A QSD develops and amends the SWPPP for a construction site. A QSP implements it in the field through inspections, BMP oversight, and sampling. A QSD may also perform QSP work.

Can a QSD perform QSP inspections? Yes. Section V.C.5 of the Construction General Permit states that a QSD may perform the work of a QSP.

Who administers QSD and QSP training in California? The California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) administers the training program in collaboration with the State Water Board. Courses are taught by approved CGP Trainers of Record.

Do I need a professional license to become a QSD? Not necessarily. Under the CASQA path you need one listed prerequisite, such as a California landscape architect registration, a professional hydrologist registration, CPESC, CPSWQ, or an approved prerequisite course. California licensed professional engineers and geologists can self-certify instead.

How often do QSDs and QSPs renew? QSDs and QSPs registered through CASQA complete 6 hours of continuing education each year and an online renewal every two years.

When does an industrial facility need a QISP? When the facility enters Level 1 status in the Industrial General Permit’s Exceedance Response Action process, after sampling results exceed a numeric action level. The QISP prepares the Level 1 ERA Report and any Level 2 ERA Action Plan.

Can a trained delegate replace a QSP? No. Delegates may perform delegated inspections, sampling, and BMP work after QSP training, but they cannot perform the inspections the permit assigns to the QSD or QSP.

Last reviewed: October 30, 2026.

Sources

State Water Board, 2022 Construction Stormwater General Permit, Order 2022-0057-DWQ: Order Sections IV.O, V.C, V.D, V.E, V.F, and V.I; Attachment D Section III.C
State Water Board, Storm Water Program Training
State Water Board, Qualified Industrial Storm Water Practitioner (QISP)
State Water Board, Industrial General Permit, Order 2014-0057-DWQ as amended (PDF): Findings 63 and 64, Section XII

QSD vs QSP in California: Roles, Qualifications, and the QISP