STEP 5 - How to Become a TSP
Step 5: Obtaining TSP Certification – Let’s Review
Are you ready to submit your application for consideration? Use this checklist to verify that you have done all the suggested steps:
Did you speak with a Regional Coordinator?
TSP Regional Coordinators Map July 2024 (223.12 KB)
If suggested, did you speak with the state Point of Contact?
Did you take all the required training outlined in criteria for each practice requesting certification for?
Did you review the Field Office Technical Guide for the deliverables of each conservation practice (Section 4) or the deliverables for the CPAs, DIAs, and CEMAs (Section 3). Electronic Field Office Technical Guide
Does your sample of work follow the deliverables within the Conservation Practice Statement of Work and/or the CPA/DIA/CEMA document(s)?
Conservation Planning Activities (CPAs), Design and Implementation Activities (DIAs), and Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activities (CEMAs)
Do you need to be familiar with other NRCS tools to adequately develop a sample of work in accordance with NRCS standards and specifications? Did you notice if there were additional NRCS tools you needed to be familiar with listed in the Conservation Practice standards – i.e. Windows Pesticide Screening Tool (WIN-PST 3.1), RUSLE2, Manure Management Planner (NMP), Pasture Conditioning Score, etc.
Check additional tools out here:
Other Tools and References for TSPs
Did you upload the most current certificates, licenses, and training certificates?
Hint: If you have been a TSP previously and need assistance with locating completed trainings, please talk with the regional coordinator covering your lead state. If you are new TSP, please create a TSP folder on your computer to maintain your credentialing documents.
Did you review state, local and Tribal laws for additional requirements on the practices you have selected to become certified? For a guide of the state specific requirements and state specific training module, check out the links here:
Certified Conservation Planner-State Specific Training Modules
Did you read and understand the TSP certification Agreement for individual certification and for your business (if adding to your profile)? For a preview of those documents, please see the files shared here.
Tools and References
If you answered YES to each question, then you should be ready to submit your application.
Upon submission of your application NRCS has 60 days to review the information provided, verify your credentials and samples of work and decide on your application. If approved, you will be certified for a period of three years and your information will be added to the NRCS Registry Find a TSP look up website.
If your application is deferred, you will receive a notice detailing the issues that caused the deferment, and the steps needed to address the issues. You will have the option to resubmit the application for review after you address the issues.