When funds are available, agricultural producers (farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners) participating in certain NRCS conservation programs can hire an NRCS Certified TSP. 

NRCS reimburses the program participant at a contracted rate established for the program in which they are participating. Rates may vary between states, fiscal years, and vary between the conservation practice or activity. The maximum rates for TSP services are shown in the State Payment Schedule for the fiscal year of the Farm Bill Contract.

NRCS PAYMENT SCHEDULES
NOTE: Producers may also choose to pay for these services at their own expense outside 

Eligible agricultural producers will need to work with a local NRCS office to submit an application for Financial Assistance (NRCS-CPA-1200) and have an obligated contract (NRCS-CPA-1202) prior to commencing the work of a certified TSP for which NRCS funding is provided.

If you are an NRCS program applicant or producer interested in utilizing a TSP, please contact your local NRCS office to discuss options.

Find Your Local Service Center

NRCS programs and support for agricultural producers follow the Nine Steps of Conservation Planning. TSP services assist with one or more steps of that process, depending on the needs and preferences of a program participant. 

 All TSP services funded by NRCS must be performed by an individual or business with appropriate certification in the “Find a TSP” website, which documents their certification in the location of the project and for the conservation activity or practice for which technical assistance funding is provided.

CPAs and DIAs are specific types of conservation activities listed in section 3 of the FOTG and are available for conservation program purposes.

Conservation Planning Activities (CPAs)

• CPAs produce a conservation plan that document participant objectives, existing resource concerns, and participant decisions regarding conservation practices and activities that will be used to address identified natural resource concerns. The TSP will develop a standalone document that an agricultural producer can utilize to make land-management decisions. 

Design and Implementation Activities (DIAs)

• DIAs produce designs, prescriptions, or other instructions for implementing a single conservation practice, or a system of conservation practices, derived from the participant’s conservation plan. 
• TSPs must have certification in TSP Registry for both the DIA itself and each practice for which they will provide assistance through the DIA. If not certified for a practice(s), a TSP can use a subcontractor who is a certified TSP for the practice(s).

For more information on Conservation Activities and to review activity deliverables, please refer to the NRCS Conservation Activities website.

CPAs, DIAs, and CEMAs

Technical Assistance (TA) for Conservation Practices 

• Technical Assistance services including design, implementation oversight (quality assurance), and certification of an NRCS Conservation Practice may also be completed by a Technical Service Provider, when TA funding is available in the state or territory of the project.
   
• The TSP work products, or deliverables, associated with Technical Assistance (TA) are found on the Statement of Work (SOW) document for the specific conservation practice for the state in which the project is based. The SOW, along with the practice standard, specification, and other related documents, can be found in the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide. 

NRCS Field Office Technical Guide

Technical professionals who meet the requirements for TSP certification and have active agreements with NRCS are listed on the “Find a TSP” website. NRCS program participants seeking TSP services should select the state in which the project is located and select the technical services of interest. Certified TSPs may appear in the resulting list as an individual or as a business name. The profile for each TSP will show the certified technical services, approved locations, contact information, and the expiration date of their agreement. 

An NRCS program participant may choose to contact one or more TSPs to discuss project feasibility, availability, and financial arrangements so both parties have clear expectations of the request for the services. 

FIND A TSP

Funding for TSP services is obligated through a Farm Bill Program contract between NRCS and an eligible agricultural producer (the program participant). That participant uses the funding to hire an NRCS Certified Technical Service Provider to complete the deliverables for technical support, as outlined in their NRCS contract. The Program Participant and the TSP should determine their own procedure for payment, such as amount, timing, and set clear expectations for their business arrangement.

Within an NRCS Farm Bill Program contract, funding for TSP services is itemized separately from the funding to implement conservation practices. TSP funding is for technical support only and mimics the role of NRCS technical staff. Alternatively, funding for NRCS conservation practices is generally meant to cover a portion of the costs for the materials and labor to install/implement the practice. 

Funding for TSP services (100 codes, 200 codes, or 900 codes) through NRCS is not for a TSP to purchase materials or install/implement a conservation practice.

Note: TSPs who also offer implementation/installation services as an individual or business may be hired by the program participant via their own arrangement. 

Before applying to become an NRCS Certified TSP, consider these questions. 

• Do the technical assistance services described in NRCS conservation activities and conservation practices align with your skill set?  
• Are you able to provide quality conservation deliverables to farmers, ranchers, and/or forest landowners?
• Do you meet the requirements to become a certified TSP for those activities or practices in each state you wish to offer TSP services? 

For step-by-step instructions on how to become a Certified NRCS TSP, follow this link.

Become an NRCS Certified TSP

If you are a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) or a Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS), please note that NRCS has a Memorandum of Understanding with The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) and with The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). If you have the identified certification of either, you may be able to utilize this alternative path to TSP Certification.

TSP Certification for CCAs and CPSSs

For current federal employees and NRCS conservation partners, please review the ethics section in NRCS policy. 440 M 504.2 Subpart C

After reviewing the Become an NRCS Certified TSP website, contact your Regional TSP Coordinator if additional information is needed: TSP REGIONAL COORDINATOR MAP - June 2026

After completing the steps to become an NRCS certified TSP, the TSP’s name will appear in the Find a TSP database. NRCS program participants will reference that list when assessing their options to utilize a technical service provider for one or more of their conservation planning needs. 

• Finding work as a TSP can either be passive, allowing the Find a TSP database to be your primary form of connection. Or you may choose to advertise your TSP services to existing and potential customers. Because TSP funding is obligated through an NRCS Farm Bill program contract, such customers would need to be eligible for NRCS programs and be selected for funding. 
• NRCS staff cannot provide TSPs with private information regarding our customers, farm bill applications, or contract holders. 
• NRCS staff cannot recommend specific TSPs to our customers. 

COMMUNICATION: Thorough communication between the TSP, the program participant, and NRCS staff is the key to a project outcome that meets expectations for all parties. TSPs agree to develop work products which meet NRCS standards and specifications and include all deliverables. Organization of work products is also essential to provide the NRCS program participant with clear guidance which also meets NRCS policy. Customer service is the primary goal. 

In an effort to provide clarity of the roles and responsibilities of the TSP, NRCS staff, and the NRCS Program Participant, this document is available both as a reference and to be a catalyst to conversations between all parties.  ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

ACCEPTING THE JOB: Each opportunity to provide service as a TSP should be evaluated by both the TSP and their potential client to ensure roles, responsibilities, timing and financial arrangements are clear. TSPs are not expected to be NRCS program experts, but understanding the basics of program timelines, work reviews, and distribution of payments, is not only helpful, but often plays into the project details. 

Some key points of discussion include, but are not limited to:

• Clarity of deliverables. Walk through each set of NRCS deliverables to ensure expectations and goals match. 
  • Expectations of levels of support and key timelines
  • Method and frequency of communication with NRCS. Does the program participant want the TSP to be included in correspondence or meetings with NRCS?
  • Financial arrangements related to NRCS payment rates compared to required deliverables, additional costs the TSP may charge, or additional work the TSP may be hired to complete during or after project completion. 

PROGRAM DOCUMENTS: Referencing the NRCS documents associated with the Farm Bill contract of a program participant can be useful as a TSP. A TSP can either be provided such documents from the program participant directly at their discretion, or a program participant may elect to submit a “CPA-1270 Consent to Release Form” allowing NRCS to provide a third party with document specified on the form.  Information relating to NRCS technical or financial support is confidential and cannot be shared or disclosed without having a signed CPA-270 Consent to Release Form which specifies which materials can be disclosed to the identified third-party. 

OPTIONAL TEMPLATES AND CHECKLISTS: NRCS has developed several documents in an effort to improve written communication, which a TSP may find useful. Note these are optional and should only be used voluntarily or at the request of a program participant when coordinating with a TSP. 

Practice Completion Template and Invoice
CPA Administrative Checklist
DIA Administrative Checklist

SUBMITTING COMPLETED WORK: The work products completed by a TSP should be reviewed and approved by the NRCS program participant (their customer) before submission to NRCS for payment. The program participant should agree that the materials meet the deliverables of the program requirements and meet the predetermined goals of the project. 

Once submitted to NRCS, those work products will be evaluated for adherence to NRCS deliverables, standards, and specifications. Once accepted, payment will be issued via direct deposit in the amount shown on the NRCS contract documents. 

RECEIVING PAYMENTS: The default method of funding distribution by NRCS once work products are received and approved by staff is through direct deposit to the banking account of the program participant. 

If alternative arrangements are requested by the program participant, NRCS can “assign” that payment to any other bank account provided by the participant, including a TSP.  An ”Assignment of Payment” form (CCC-36) must be filled out and signed by both the program participant and the alternative recipient of the direct deposit payment. 

All other funding arrangements and details are solely between the TSP and their customer. NRCS will not be involved in any payment disputes between a program participant and a TSP. 

OPTIONAL TRAINING: NRCS and our partners may offer training opportunities that can contribute to your success as a TSP. Training topics may include administrative processes, discussions on NRCS conservation activities or practices, or trainings targeted to the TSPs themselves. Training opportunities are typically posted on the NRCS TSP Website, however other methods of outreach may be utilized.

DECERTIFICATION: NRCS may decertify a TSP if the TSP fails to meet NRCS standards and specifications in the provision of technical services, violates the terms of the Certification Agreement, engages in a scheme or device; or commits any other action of a serious or compelling nature as determined by NRCS that demonstrates the TSP’s inability to fulfill the terms of the Certification Agreement or provide technical services. NRCS field offices work with their NRCS State TSP Coordinator on collecting supporting documentation (such as warning letters and training attempts) to submit with decertification requests that are sent to the National TSP Program Manager.

NRCS TSP REGISTRY

TSPs can view and manage their TSP agreement in the NRCS TSP Registry online system using their login.gov credentials.  Please note that NRCS TSP Registry was launched in early 2025 and previous websites that a TSP may have used are no longer available. 

• If a TSP is having issues logging into Registry using their login.gov credentials, please ensure the correct selections are being made : Login.gov Troubleshooting[PH1]
• If a TSP needs to reset their Login.gov password, they should select the “forgot my password” option for existing users on the login.gov link here: https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email

Modifying Contact Information, Technical Services, and Locations:

At any time, a TSP can modify their agreement to edit their contact information, add or delete services, or add or delete locations. 

A step-by-step video is available on YouTube to demonstrate the modification process.
Video: Modifying a TSP Application

For any of these modifications, the TSP should log into Registry and select the “modify” option in the three dots to the right of their agreement. To add technical services or locations, the associated national and state level requirements will need to be met by the TSP in order to be approved. 

To update contact information TSPs need to submit a modification application. 

Note: While an agreement is in modification status, the current TSP information, such services and locations, is maintained in the Find a TSP database and there is no gap in their ability to perform services outlined in their active agreement. 

Renewing a TSP Agreement

TSP agreements are active for three years. Approximately 120 days prior to the expiration date, the TSP will receive an email reminding them to renew. 

Step-by-step guidance in this document should be followed to complete the renewal process. 

NRCS TSP Renewal Guidance

Creating and Managing a Business Profile

A TSP who has been certified based on their individual qualifications can be associated with a new or existing business profile in the TSP Registry database.  There are several benefits to this approach, such as having one or more TSPs available to complete services under the umbrella of that business account, even those with differing technical offerings.  Businesses are defined as private businesses, American Indian tribes, non-profit organizations, and public agencies.

The Official Business Representative (OBR)

A business application and profile must be created and maintained by an Official Business Representative (OBR), an individual authorized by the business to make decisions on its behalf. The OBR must be able to legally sign the Certification Agreement on behalf of the business. The OBR must apply for and maintain a USDA Verified Login.gov account, but the OBR does not need to be a certified TSP. The business profile must have at least one actively certified TSP associated with the business at all times. Certified businesses will be assigned a business TSP number, starting with the letter “b”, which will have its own expiration date three years after the initial signature and will require renewal via the same process as an individual TSP profile. 

The OBR will have sole-authority to add or delete certified TSPs associated with the business profile. 

For Official Business Representatives (OBR) who do not plan to work as a TSP:

The OBR will register for login.gov account, then log into NRCS Registry.  Click the New Business Profile Tab to create a business profile. Follow the business application instructions in the Business/Agency Profile. You can submit the application from the Business/Agency Profile screen by clicking the Sign Agreement button only once.

For Official Business Representatives (OBR) who plan to work as a TSP:

Follow the process above to become a TSP based on individual qualifications. Log into Registry using your personal Login.gov user name and password. Complete the business registration. Navigate to the TSP Associations sub tab and click Add TSP following the rest of the directions.

• Introduction to the NRCS Technical Service Provider (TSP) Program (video)
• Submitting an Application in NRCS TSP Registry (video)
• Modifying your Agreement in NRCS TSP Registry (video)
• Renewing a TSP Agreement
• CEMA 216 Training (Recorded Jan 29, 2026)
• Transition to Organic Training: CPA 138 and DIA 140
• NRCS's 9 Steps of Conservation Planning (video)
• Full TSP Training Video Library

TSP TEMPLATES, FACT SHEETS, and FORMS

• Example TSP Agreement (individual)
• Example TSP Agreement (entity)
• TSP Program Roles and Responsibilities (PDF; 827KB)
• TSP Forestry Fact Sheet (PDF; 633KB)
• TSP Myth Busters Fact Sheet (PDF; 653KB)
• Technical Service Provider: Certification of Services Provided
• Information Release Form
• Assignment of Payment Form

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

• TSP Regional Map - Updated June 2026
• Payment Schedules
• NRCS Programs
• Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG)
• Conservation Activities
• National TSP Criteria Requirements (XLS)
• State TSP Criteria Requirements (XLS)

TSP POLICY and REGULATIONS

• Technical Service Provider Assistance Regulation (7 CFR, Part 652)
• Technical Service Provider Assistance Policy (GM 180, Part 411)
• Technical Service Provider Assistance Manual (Title 440, Part 504)
• Conservation Planning Manual (GM 180, Part 409)
• National Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH) (Handbooks Title 180, Part 600)
• eDirectives