All Contractor’s Erosion and Sediment Control Contractor Certifications (ESCCC) issued to date will no longer be valid as of July 1, 2025. The premature end is effective regardless of the date shown on the certification card.
Why it matters
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) requires that during land-disturbing activity the contractor must have an individual present during the activity who has been trained and holds a valid ESC certification card. All certifications issued under the old ESCCC program will no longer be valid as of July 2025 and you must have someone certified on the job site in VDOT’s new program to remain compliant.
What You Need to Do
Don’t wait until next year … start getting your staff certified under the new program now and avoid project interruptions. VTCA has scheduled fall classes for the new ESCCC-QP certification on September 12, October 8, October 29, November 19, and December 10. Register and reserve your seats now.
How Did We End Up Here?
Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality has made significant regulatory changes.
Virginia’s State Water Control Board recently adopted the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management (VESM) Regulation (9VAC25-875) and repealed the Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations (9VAC25-840), Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management Certification Regulations (9VAC25-850), and Virginia Stormwater Management Program Regulation (9VAC25-870). The VESM Regulation and repeal of the other regulations were effective on July 1, 2024.
DEQ has published the new Virginia Stormwater Management Handbook (VSMH), which provides information on stormwater management, including erosion and sediment control, and offers guidance for implementing water quality and quantity criteria outlined in the VESM Regulation. The Handbook replaces the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook and the VSMH which will be rescinded on July 1, 2025.
In addition, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) reissued Virginia’s Construction General Permit (CGP) on July 1, 2024. This permit continues requirements from the previous permit, it redefines “qualified personnel,” and it adds requirements to be consistent with the construction dewatering turbidity benchmark in the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2022 Construction General Permit.
As a result of these extensive changes, VDOT has updated the training materials for its Erosion and Sediment Control Contractor Certification course to be consistent with the new VESM Regulation, the VSMH, and the updated CGP. The new ESCCC classes and certification will resume as the Erosion & Sediment Control Contractor Certification – Qualified Personnel (ESCCC-QP).
Register for your class today!