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SES QSTI/QSTI Approval Application and Renewal Policies and Procedures

Updated September 26, 2017

 

Terminology

 

  •    QI – Qualified Individual (source: ASTM Standard Practice D7036-04)
  •    QSTI – Qualified Source Test Individual
  •    QSTO – Qualified Source Test Observer
  •    SES – Source Evaluation Society, the exam provider and QSTI/QSTO approving body

 

Relevant Duration and Expiration Dates

 

1. Your score for an SES methods group knowledge exam is valid for 5 years from the date you sit for and pass a relevant exam.

2. You may apply for an initial SES QSTI/QSTO approval document up to 5 years following the date on which you pass one or more relevant exams. See below for the procedures.

3. You may apply to renew an SES QSTI/QSTO approval document up to 5 years following the date on which you pass one or more relevant exams even if your previous QSTI/QSTO approval document has expired. See below for the procedures.

4. The document expiration date for an SES QSTI/QSTO approval whether an initial approval or a renewal is 5 years from the date you pass the relevant methods group knowledge exam(s). After the expiration date, you are no longer an approved QSTI or QSTO (or QI) until you retake and pass the relevant methods group exam(s) and reinstate such approved status.

 

Applying for an INITIAL SES Methods Group QSTI/QSTO Approval Document

 

1. You may apply for a QSTI or QSTO approval document once you pass one or more SES methods group knowledge exam(s). The application form requires you to provide:

  • Name and contact information
  • Methods group(s) covered by application
  • Recent safety trainings
  • Emissions testing experience summary
  • Notarization
  • Wet ink signature of the applicant
  • Three recommendation letters or completed forms supporting your application for QSTI or QSTO approval. At least two of the recommendations must be from references outside of your immediate organization.
  • The application form requests but does not require information about:
  • Educational background
  • Professional development training
  • Professional designations
  • Opt in or opt out to release or not release your QSTI/QSTO status information

(Select the appropriate QSTI or QSTO application form listed below.)


Official QSTI Application in PDF
Official QSTI Application in Word
Official QSTO Application in PDF
Official QSTO Application in Word

 

2. To support each QSTI or QSTO approval application, you must provide descriptions of at least two different projects demonstrating your field testing experience with the test methods covered in the relevant methods group.

 

  • Group 1 – Isokinetic and proportional particulate emissions measurements
  • Group 2 – Manual extractive gaseous pollutant emissions measurements
  • Group 3 – Instrumental gaseous pollutant emissions measurements
  • Group 4 – Manual extractive hazardous metals pollutant emissions measurements
  • Group 5 – 40 CFR part 75 gaseous pollutant and flow rate CEMS certifications

 

See also Methods Covered Under Each Group Exam. You may submit one or more project descriptions that describe you conducting test methods from more than one methods group if you are applying for more than one QSTI or QSTO methods group approval document.

See Also Project Experience Examples (viewable in any word processor).

 

3. An approved complete initial application for one methods group will satisfy your concurrent or subsequent request for QSTO or QSTO approvals for other methods groups exams you pass. That is, you need not submit a separate new application for each methods group; however, you must provide descriptions of at least two different projects demonstrating your field testing experience with the test methods covered in each relevant methods group whenever you apply for a QSTI or QSTO methods group approval document.

 

Applying for RENEWAL of an SES Methods Group QSTI/QSTO Approval Document

 

  1. Once you have repeated and passed one or more methods group exam(s) for which you already have a QSTI or QSTO approval document, even if that approval has expired, you may submit the abbreviated SES QSTI or QSTO methods group renewal application. You need not submit the more extensive QSTI or QSTO methods group approval application nor new project descriptions to renew such approval(s).
  2. The renewal application requires you to document continued and current field testing activities (e.g., record of the number of tests conducted at various levels of participation over the most recent 2 years) and a wet ink signature of the applicant.

Official QSTI Renewal Form
Official QSTO Renewal Form

 

Submitting SES QSTI or QSTO Methods Group Applications and Supporting Documentation

 

Submit your application and supporting documentation including questions about the process to the SES QSTI/QSTO Administrator by email to the SES QSTI/QSTO Administrator at QSTIProgram@sesnews.org.