SES Qualified Source Testing Individual Exams

Frequently Asked Questions

(Updated August 2007)

Why has SES implemented a QSTI Program?

Some of the end users of stack test results, federal and State
regulatory agencies in particular, are considering source testing
company accreditation programs to help ensure the quality of emissions
measurement data.  Anticipating that such programs will rely on
verifying the abilities of individuals involved in source testing, the
SES membership approved and developed the SES QSTI program as a
voluntary program for our members to demonstrate knowledge and
experience with test procedures.  

Is SES Qualification Required?

We are not aware of any regulatory agencies who have required the SES
QSTI exams, specifically; although, proposed revisions to part 75
(August 22, 2006, 71 FR 49300), if finalized, would require that a
qualified individual oversee certain stack tests, including mercury and
non-mercury RATAs.  Additionally, the ASTM Standard D7036-04 specifies
that accredited testing organizations have on staff individuals who are
qualified through exams that demonstrate knowledge of methods and basic
field testing principles.  We believe that the SES QSTI program is one
way to satisfy that standard, and potentially new EPA regulations, as
the SES QSTI exams are designed to cover the areas of competence and
basic methods described in the ASTM standard.

Why should I become qualified now?

To advance your professional credentials in emissions testing and
address potential future individual certification and company
accreditation needs.  

Do I have to pass more than one exam to receive an SES QSTI certificate?

No.  The SES QSTI review committee will issue you a certificate for each
exam you pass and upon review and approval of your completed
application.  There was discussion during development of the program to
require successful completion of a basics exam plus a specific methods
group exam before SES would issue a certificate.  This step was
considered as a way to address company accreditation needs; however, the
scope of the SES QSTI program should be limited to demonstrating
individual qualifications and not try to anticipate or define company
accreditation requirements.  In addition, the SES QSTI exams include
questions on basic source testing procedures in each exam.  As future
accreditation programs develop and needs are more clearly defined,
individuals can always provide SES QSTI certificates for the multiple
exams in verifying the qualifications needed for any specific
accreditation program.

How much will the exam cost?

We are initially offering the exam as follows:

Initial exam (basic methods):  $140 for SES members (add $15 for
non-members*).

*Includes 1-year SES membership.

ALWAYS check with Eastern Technical Associates for current exam fees.

Where will the exam be offered?

At any of Eastern Technical Associates( national smoke school locations.
 See www.eta-is-opacity.com for further information.

Who developed and validated the questions?

The SES solicited questions from the SES members and from U.S. EPA and
the SES QSTI review committee continually reviews and vets questions for
the exams.  

Does SES Qualification satisfy the NELAC accreditation program?

There is no NELAC accreditation program for source emissions testing at
this point.  SES is encouraging NELAC to accept SES QSTI program for
individual knowledge requirements that may be included a national
accreditation program.

Does SES satisfy any State accreditation programs?

Not at this point.  SES is encouraging states to accept SES QSTI program
for individual knowledge requirements that may be included a national
accreditation program.

  SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1 Would someone who was already certified for QSTI
for the first three modules be automatically qualified for certification
as QSTO for those modules?

  SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1 Our current direction is that a QSTI certificate
will suffice in demonstrating that the QSTI is also qualified as an
observer or a QSTO. We believe that the experience necessary to lead a
test program that we expect from a QSTI would also qualify that person
to observe and assess the abilities of a third party conducting a test.

On the other hand, the person experienced only as an observer, having
received a QSTO, is not necessarily qualified to operate sampling
trains, conduct the QA/QC protocols, write a test report, or demonstrate
the other skills we expect from a QSTI. We, the SES QSTI/QSTO review
board, will be looking for a different set of qualities from the QSTO
applicant who has only testing observer experience. Such qualities would
complement those of a field test team leader but would necessarily be
limited. At least, that is our direction at this time. As we put this
program into place more completely, we will probably issue some guidance
on this and related points.

I reside and work outside the United States.  The SES Qualification
Application requires my signature to be notarized.  Is it OK to have it
notarized by a notary from my country? 

You may use a notary from within your country.  Please be sure your
notary provide his or her license number and expiration date along with
the appropriate stamp or seal.

Instead of a notary, you may have your signature to an application
witnessed (in person) by a current Officer or Member of the Board of
Directors of SES.

I am filling out the Official Application for SES Emission Tester
Qualification Examination. In the Professional Development section, how
should I list conferences and workshops that I attended and/or was a
speaker, instructor or co-author?

For conferences and workshops you attended, provide a short list of
those you feel are most relevant to stack testing qualification (name of
conference/workshop, city, state/province, country, date).

For those occasions where you served as a presenter, instructor or
co-author, list these like a publication citation (i.e.,
authors/coauthors, title of the presentation or course,
conference/workshop name, city, state/province, date).  This would be
the appropriate format also for any published papers (i.e., in
conference proceedings or in a journal).  List as many as you think are
relevant.

I have a resume which lists my employment history and summarizes
experience.  Can I just attach that to my application to support the
experience requirement?

You need to complete all of the application forms and we strongly
recommend that you not attach resumes or test reports in lieu of
entering information on application.  Generally, personnel or proposal
resumes do not contain the specific details needed to demonstrate
experience in each of the experience areas.  Further, the SES QSTI
review board is not equipped to handle sensitive and potentially
confidential business information as might be contained in test reports.
 Simply attaching your resume outlining your years of employment and
experience or site-specific test reports will not satisfy this
application requirement.  Instead, you need to write information on your
application that clearly demonstrates your experience in each of the
applicable areas as listed on the second page of the application plus
those listed under Demonstrated Skills (see checklist below). 

Simply saying you have experience is generally not sufficient.  For
example, to demonstrate experience in Procedures Compliance, you should
provide specific examples, such as internal or external technical
systems audits, external performance audits, or State observed tests,
which demonstrate that you followed the procedures required in the test
methods and protocols.  Those descriptions should clearly identify your
roles in those activities, your abilities to solve problems, and the
quality of the results.  Since reports may be accepted by agencies
without tests being observed, simply saying many reports were accepted
by agencies does not necessarily demonstrate that procedures were
followed.

Experience checklist (give specific examples to clearly demonstrate your
level of experience in each area; be sure to indicate your direct role,
why you chose specific approaches, how you accomplished activities,
etc.):

	Test Methods (methods with which you have experience)

	Calibration/preparation/packing (calibration equipment, procedures,
pre-test activities) 

	Set-up at test site (logistics, challenges, best practices)

	Sample Analysis (lab interface, analytical equipment, sample
preparation, selection of methods for purpose, interferences, detection
limits vs. sampling times, validation, etc.)

	Procedure Compliance (test protocols, SSTPs, TSAs, SOPs, external
audits, etc.)

	Data Reduction (calculations, special corrections, nondetects,
QA/data quality objectives, etc.)

	Troubleshooting (equipment malfunction, delays, sampling locations,
interferences, calibration, data acquisition, etc.)

	Training (education, classes, seminars, workshops, conferences,
committees, professional societies; experience as instructor)

	Equipment Operation/Data Recording (types of equipment, meter boxes,
CEMS, data logging/acquisition, etc.)

	Sample Recovery/handling/custody (procedures, reagents, storage,
shipping, DOT, hold times, sign-off, etc.)

	QA/QC (QAPPs, SOPs, QA/QC samples, planning, audits, organization,
validation)

	Reporting (types of reports, scope and purpose, use of templates,
publications, etc.)

	Safety Training (safety seminars, PPE, workshops, tailgate meetings,
certifications, application to adverse situations, HAZWOPR, refinery
safety, confined spaces, DOT shipping, EHS compliance, site-specific
safety orientations, etc.)

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Depretation, engineering analysis, etc.)

	Verbal & written communication skills (publications, reports, oral
presentations, negotiations, etc.)

	Technical/science skills (math, engineering, chemistry, mechanics,
electrical, electronics, etc.)

	Selection and knowledge of test methods and their application and
limitations (regulations, deviations, modifications, detection limits,
interferences, etc.)

	Selection, calibration, setup, use and operation of testing
equipment for different applications and conditions (test objectives,
measurements, location elevation/access, stack gas characteristics,
weather, safety, etc.)

ity, etc.)

	Sample analysis and special considerations for different
applications (lab interface, analytical equipment, sample preparation,
selection of methods for purpose, interferences, detection limits vs.
sampling times, validation, etc.).

	Test method modifications and deviations needed for different
applications (high or low concentrations, interferences, pressure,
etc.).

.).

	EXAMPLES OF THE PROJECT EXPERIENCE PORTION OF THE APPLICATION ARE
AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE.  PLEASE REFER TO THESE EXAMPLES FOR HELP IN
THIS AREA.

