frequently asked questions
Our Upcoming Classes page provides a list of available courses, the dates/locations of in-person classes, and other details about our training program. You should register for training on our Registration Page. For your convenience, you may pay by credit card online. We also accept payment by check or electronic funds transfer, and we will provide you with an invoice upon request. Please email qci@thompsonengineering.com if you prefer to use a printed registration form.
Thompson Engineering is a Certified Training Provider for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s Qualified Credentialed Inspector (QCI) Training Program. We offer QCI initial training and refresher training courses focused on the prevention of stormwater pollution associated with construction activities.
Contractors, developers, engineers, environmental professionals, transportation department staff, municipal employees, military personnel, and university staff members located in Alabama (or those located in other states who anticipate conducting construction projects in Alabama).
The QCI training program provides practical training in the inspection and maintenance of performance-oriented best management practices (BMPs) on construction sites. You will learn how to comply with Federal and State of Alabama regulations; fill out the required paperwork; choose the best BMPs for construction sites; troubleshoot problems; and prevent fines and penalties associated with noncompliance.
Yes, we offer both online and in-person versions of our initial and refresher training courses. Please check our Upcoming Classes Page for additional information. In-person training dates and locations are subject to change with notice.
Our online courses are on-demand and at your convenience. The courses are divided into modules with quizzes at the end of each section. You do not have to take the course in one sitting. You may stop at any point in the course, log out, and then log back in to pick up where you left off.
The standard registration fee for initial in-person training is $495 per student. The registration fee for initial online training is $400 per student. A $50 discount is available to students whose companies or organizations are members of one of our affiliated associations: Alabama Asphalt Paving Association, Alabama Road Builders Association, Associated General Contractors of Alabama, Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama, and Alabama Utility Contractors Association. We accept all major credit cards, or you may pay by check or electronic funds transfer. We will provide invoices as needed.
Yes, discounts are available for six or more students attending the same in-person initial training classroom session.
Private classes with special rates for groups of 15 or more students are available. Please email qci@thompsonengineering.com or call 251-665-5414 for more information.
The QCI certification is good for one year. ADEM requires that each QCI take an annual refresher training course either online or in a classroom setting. The easiest and most economical way to renew your credentials is to register for our online refresher course. The fee is $95 per student. ADEM encourages all QCIs to arrange for and complete annual refresher training well before the expiration of their QCI certifications.
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) authorizes a maximum grace period of no more than 45-days after the expiration of a QCI certification for successful completion of annual training. However, application of the grace period is on a case-by-case basis and is intended to be used on rare occasions only with sufficient cause. If you do not complete annual training in a timely manner, you must re-take the initial training course in order to renew your credentials.
No, but we offer professional development hours (PDHs) for each of our courses.
You will receive a certificate of completion and a laminated wallet card approximately 2-3 weeks after you successfully complete the course and we receive your payment. Before you receive your credentials in the mail, we will assign your QCI number and post it on our searchable public website as proof of certification.
Our registration fees are non-refundable, but we do offer a credit that is good for one year from the original initial training date. You may use the credit yourself or transfer it to another employee in your company. There are no credits for unused online refresher fees.