Organizational

Announcement

ECI Announces the Launch of the Certified Installer of Hydraulic Erosion Control Products (CIHECP) Program

EnviroCert International, Inc. (ECI) is pleased to announce the launch of the Certified Installer of Hydraulic Erosion Control Products (CIHECP) program, a new certification designed to establish consistent standards for the installation, inspection, and understanding of Hydraulic Erosion Control Products (HECPs).

TIMING AND ROLLOUT

ECI is currently recording the training modules and expects to be live by mid-January. ECI will be undertaking the following steps:

1. Emailing prior Certified Hydroseed Professionals (CHP), the program acquired by ECI earlier this year, to allow them to self-certify and acquire this certification. 
   
2. The first set of certifications will be issued to the various Steering Committee members in early-mid January. 
   
3. Applications are now being accepted for this certification via the following Candidate Management System (CMS) link: https://envirocert.useclarus.com/



Note: Any candidate who wishes to just review the PowerPoint presentation and take the exam or for those who are petitioning the exam (see below) can initiate that process after their application is approved.

PURPOSE

The CIHECP program provides foundational knowledge and installation principles applicable across sectors involved in erosion control, stormwater management, and land-disturbance activities. Developed with input from experienced practitioners and key representatives throughout the HECP industry, the program reflects current practices, installation expectations, and real-world field applications.

This credential supports industry-wide training needs and reinforces the importance of proper HECP application in erosion and sediment control practices.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The CIHECP certification focuses on essential principles of HECP installation, including:

• Understanding HECP equipment and how it is properly operated
• Recognizing the materials used in HECP applications and their functions
• Preparing the site and identifying conditions that influence successful installation
• Learning proper loading procedures and how to correctly prepare an HECP mix
• Applying HECPs effectively in the field using industry-accepted techniques
• Following critical safety practices for equipment, materials, and jobsite operations

QUALIFICATIONS, PETITION PROCESS AND APPLICATION

A CIHECP Professional Certification requires an application submittal through the ECI Certification Management System (CMS). No prior experience is required. Following application approval, candidates must complete the training program and pass an open-book on-line exam. The on-line training, exam, and a digital copy of the Resource Manual are included with the application fee at no additional cost.

TRAINING PROGRAM AND EXAM

The CIHECP Certification Program is approximately eight (8) hours of On-Line course modules provided On-Demand and includes ninety (90) day access to the training content. At the completion of each module the candidate will be required to answer a series of questions before moving onto the next module until they complete and pass all the modules in the certification. The exam is open-book, open notes, and administered through ECI’s secure Learning Management System (LMS) platform.

CIHECP PROGRAM FEES

Program fee of $450 (introductory fee of $395 through March 2026) will include: 



1. Application,
2. Recordings (in progress) with PowerPoint Presentations,
3. Resource Manual, and
4. On-Line Exam (100 multiple choice questions) administered though the ECI LMS. Candidates may complete the exam on a computer from any location with a stable internet connection.

CIHECP CERTIFICATION

The CIHECP certification requires an application submitted through the ECI CMS. Several pathways to certification are available:

Path I.  Past or Present Certified Hydroseed Professionals (CHP) Holders: Individuals who currently hold the CHP certification may petition to sit for the CIHECP exam. Upon passing the exam, petitioners will be awarded the CIHECP certification.

Path II: Individuals With 5+ Years of HECP Installation Experience: Professionals with five (5) or more years of documented HECP installation experience may also petition to take the exam. Approved petitioners will be eligible for a reduced application cost of $250. If the petitioner fails the exam two (2) times they will be required to watch the CIHECP Presentation to move forward.

Path III: Standard Applicants: For all other applicants, the introductory application fee is $395 through March 2026 ($450 thereafter), which includes:

• Access to the Presentation
• The Resource Manual
• The Certification Exam

No prior certification is required to apply under the standard path.

PROGRAM FORMAT AND EXAM

The CIHECP program consists of an on-line multimedia presentation and access to the Resource Manual. Candidates must review the provided content and pass an on-line exam to earn certification. The exam is open-book and administered through ECI’s secure LMS platform.

BENEFITS OF CIHECP CERTIFICATION

CIHECP professionals offer significant value to erosion and sediment control projects by:

• Ensuring more reliable and effective HECP installation
• Helping support compliance with project specifications and regulatory expectations
• Reducing the risk of installation failures, rework, and associated costs
• Enhancing efficiency through improved understanding of materials and application
• Bringing verified, standardized installation knowledge to contractors, agencies, and industry professionals

Whether you are a contractor, installer, consultant, or agency professional, CIHECP certification helps support quality outcomes and improved project performance.

EnviroCert International, Inc. extends its sincere gratitude to the following individuals and organizations for their invaluable contributions to the development and ongoing maintenance of CIHECP:

Special Acknowledgement

ECI extends its sincere gratitude to Profile Products and Adam Dibble for their generous donation of the original hydromulch technical content, which played a pivotal role in the development of this Professional Certification.



ECI Staff and Associates

Robert Anderson, CEO and President, PE, CPESC, CESSWI, CPSWQ, CPMSM, CPISM, NGICP, QSM, Senior Editor

Charles Wilson Jr., Associate Technical Director, PLA, CPESC, CESSWI CPSWQ, CPMSM, NGICP, QSM, Senior Editor

James O’Tousa, Secretary, Technical Advisory Council Chair, Steering Committee Vice-Chair, PG, CEG, CPESC, CESSWI, CPSWQ, Senior Editor

Mike Chase, Vice President, CPESC, CPSWQ, CPISM

Melissa McKinney, COO and Director, Director of NGICP, Director of CPIESC, Director of CIHECP, MBA, CNED, QSM, NGICP, CPIESC

Gerald Montgomery, CPESC, CESSWI, CPSWQ

Jeremiah Walker, III, Director, CPESC, CESSWI

Matt Chase, CPESC

Mike Chase, Jr., CPSWQ, CPISM

Grayson Goldsmith, Editorial Associate, QSM

Michael Kucharski, Program Associate, CPESC, CESSWI, NGICP, QSM

Dalton Parry, Marketing & Graphics Associate, QSM

Ron Ciolfi, Steering Committee Chair, CPESC

James O’Tousa, Director, Technical Advisory Council Chair, Steering Committee Vice-Chair, PG, CEG, CPESC, CESSWI, CPSWQ

Ray Badger

Ed Dugan

Patrick Holubetz, CPESC

Andy Iturriria, PE

Corey Mandrusiak, CPESC, CESSWI

Marc S. Theisen, M.Sc., CPESC, CPSWQ, CESSWI

Chris Thomson, CHP

James O’Tousa, Director, Technical Advisory Committee Chair, Steering Committee Chair, PG, CEG, CPESC, CESSWI, CPSWQ

Patrick Holubetz, Steering Committee Vice-Chair, CPESC

Glen Ballinger

Whitney Braun

Ron Ciolfi, CPESC

Gerard Ellison, CPSWQ

Jim Friesen

Andy Iturriria, PE, CPESC

Corey Mandrusiak, CPESC, CESSWI

Sam Morris

Oliver Norton

Charles Riling, CESSWI

Michael D. Robeson, PE, CPESC, CESSWI, CPSWQ

Brad Simpson, CESSWI

Marc S. Theisen, M.Sc., CPESC, CPSWQ, CESSWI

EnviroCert International, Inc. | 19 December 2025