HomeQSTI/QSTO

SES Qualified Source Test Individual and Source Test Observer (QSTI /QSTO) Program

Announcements and Updates

Live Online Proctored (LOP) exams are now available and are administered by Meazure Learning.
The examination costs are $200.00 per exam group, and each is a one-time purchase.
There are no additional charges for proctoring or exam delivery. Retesting will incur another $200.00 charge.
Read this file for more information on successfully completing the exams Meazure Learning Online Exam Info.
To register for the online exams, visit this website https://www.assessments.meazurelearning.com/login/.

In-person paper exams are available through Eastern Technical Associates.
Click the button below to download the registration form which contains pricing and registration information.
Call ETA directly to arrange scheduling of paper exams or to help you arrange for a local proctor.

ETA Paper Exam Registration Form

Each of the methods group exams includes a few questions that require some calculations.
The questions provide all the data needed for the calculations which are derived directly from the equations specified in the relevant methods.
For either exam format (i.e., in-person or LOP), the candidate may NOT use a personal calculator, mobile/smart phone, or other personal electronic calculations device during the exam session.
This revised policy for in-person exams went into effect as of June 5, 2023.
From this date forward, the candidate must use the multifunction calculator provided by the proctor for in-person exam sessions.

SES QSTI/QSTO Approval Procedures

The SES QSTI/QSTO Applications Review Committee meets monthly Events Calendar. Please submit your completed application at least three full business days before the next meeting. Applications received less than three full business days prior to the meeting will be held over for review at the next monthly committee meeting.

The SES will issue approval documents to qualified applicants in the following methods groups:

Group 1 - Manual Gas Volume and Flow Measurements and Isokinetic Particulate Sampling Methods
Group 1a - Stack Gas Flow Rate Measurements Sampling Method
Group 2 - Manual Gaseous Pollutants Source Sampling Methods
Group 3 - Gaseous Pollutants Source Sampling Methods
Group 4 - Hazardous Metals Measurement Methods
Group 5 Part 75 CEMS RATA Testing

To apply for initial QSTI or QSTO approval, you must meet the following requirements:

Have at least 1 year of experience in the area selected for testing, using test methods in the relevant methods group.
Pass one or more methods group exams (two-hour exam).
Click ETA registration to access the ETA web site and the register for a paper exam.
Click login to access the Scantron/Meazure Learning website and register for a Source Evaluation Society online exam. Once registration for an exam has occurred, the exam must be taken within 6 months of registration.
Submit a completed and notarized application for approval.
You must have a wet ink signature on your application.
You must also submit descriptions of at least two different field testing projects for each method group in which you participated and passed the exam.
A project experience description could contain all exam groups. In this case you would only need two project descriptions.
Click the Example Project Experience Write-Up to the right for an example. ==>
Click SES QSTI/QSTO Approval Application and Renewal Policies and Procedures for more details on the application and renewal procedures.
Select and complete the appropriate QSTI or QSTO application form listed to the right. ==>
Submit at least three recommendations.
At least two of the recommendations must be from people outside your current place of employment.
Click QSTI Reference Form to link to an approved recommendation form.

Links to the required application documents are available here:

Official QSTI Application in PDF.pdf
Official QSTI Application in Word.docx
Official QSTO Application in PDF.pdf
Official QSTO Application in Word.docx

Links to other helpful documents are available here:

Example Project Experience Write-Up
Exam Study Guide
Guide for SES QSTI/QSTO Exam Success
Meazure Learning Online Exam Info
Methods Covered Under Each Group Exam

You should direct applications and associated information for SES QSTI or QSTO approval and any questions about these requirements or for information about the program to the SES QSTI/QSTO Administrator by email to the SES QSTI/QSTO Administrator QSTIProgram@sesnews.org.

Note also the ECMPS AETB reporting requirements includes a provision for an email address be noted for the exam provider. This address is QSTIProgram@sesnews.org.

The SES will maintain confidentiality for all application information and share such information only as necessary with no one but the SES QSTI/QSTO Committee.
The SES QSTI/QSTO administrator will review and advise you if you should provide any additional information to complete your application.
The Committee meets monthly to review applications, and SES posts the date of the next Committee meeting on the SES website under the QSTI/QSTO menu.
The deadline to submit your application and ensure that the committee acts on it at the committee’s next meeting is three days prior to the date of the next scheduled meeting.