How to Become a TSP

Is Becoming a TSP right for you?

Individuals, private businesses, American Indian tribes, non-profit organizations, and public agencies are eligible to become Certified Technical Service Providers (TSPs).  But is becoming a TSP right for you? 

Before beginning the application process, here are a few suggestions for you to consider which may help you determine whether you qualify to become a certified Technical Service Provider (TSP) and to better understand the TSP application process. 

Investigate – Learn more about the TSP process and the expertise NRCS is seeking on behalf of their program participants under “Benefits of the TSP Program.”

Determine – Identify the services you want to offer NRCS program participants.  There are two board categories –

• planning, designing, and implementing conservation practices through participation in Farm Bill programs or
• development of conservation planning activities (CPAs) to address specific natural resource challenges.

Inventory – Do you have the necessary skills, abilities, licenses, certifications, and other qualifications to provide services based on Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) standards and specifications as well as certification criteria? Make sure to include any additional requirements needed by state, local, Tribal laws or regulations.  Detailed information on the criteria requirements for each practice and/or activity can be found here:

Review – Familiarize yourself with the conservation practice standards and specifications, including the statement of work and implementation requirements found in the on-line Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG) used by each state to share national and state requirements for implementing conservation practices. The eFOTG is located here: NRCS Field Office Technical Guide.

To begin the process of becoming a Technical Service Provider, please contact one of the Regional Coordinators assigned to your state. A map of the Regional Coordinators is found here:  

The Steps to becoming a TSP are:

1. Create your USDA Login.gov Account
2. Log in to NRCS TSP Registry
3. Complete verification of your Login.gov account
4. TSP Training requirements - Logging into AgLearn
5. Obtain TSP Certification (Let’s Review and Submit Application)

Step 1: Create Your USDA LOGIN GOV Account

Step 1: Create Your USDA Verified LOGIN GOV Account (NEW TSP APPLICANTS)

Creating your LOGIN.GOV Account

1. Use a browser to access the LOGIN.GOV site: https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email
2. If new to LOGIN.GOV, click “Create an account”.
3. Enter your email address. 

Choose an email address that you’ll always be able to access. Once your account is created, you can add an additional email address, such as a work email or alternate personal email address, to access your account.

4.  Select your email language preference AND check you have read and accept the LOGIN.GOV Rules of Use
5. Click the “Submit” button.
6. Check your email for a message from LOGIN.GOV.
7. Click the “Confirm your email address” in the message. This will take you back to the LOGIN.GOV website.

    8. Create your LOGIN.GOV password.

• To help prevent identity theft, consider strengthening your password by using
  • Unique phrases that only you recognize
  • Multiple words with spaces to get to 12 characters
  • Numbers and special characters
• Your password must have 12 or more characters and avoid combinations such as:
  • Common phrases or repeated characters, like abc or 111
  • Parts of your email address or personal dates, like your birthday
  • The same password, or parts of it, that you use for other accounts, such as your bank account or email

9. Set up a second layer of security. 

As an added layer of protection, Login.gov requires you set up an authentication method to keep your account secure. This is referred to as multi-factor authentication (MFA). 

We encourage you to have more than one authentication method on your account. You can choose from several authentication options:

• More secure:
  • Face or touch unlock
  • Security key
  • Authentication application
  • Federal government employee or military identification (PIV/CAC)
• Less secure:
  • Text/voice message
  • Phone call
  • Backup codes 

Learn more about each authentication option to choose the one that is right for you.

10. Success! Once you have authenticated, you have created your LOGIN.GOV account.
 

How to Become a TSP 

• STEP 1
• STEP 2
• STEP 3
• STEP 4
• STEP 5