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Groundwater Professionals

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Certified Groundwater Professionals

The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the certification of persons who wish to do business in Iowa as groundwater professionals.  This professional designation is required for any person who wishes to submit projects to the UST Section evaluating sites or proposing corrective action. The information below describes the certification program.  If you have any questions about the certification program, please contact USTLicensing@dnr.iowa.gov

A Groundwater Professional is defined by Chapter 567-134 as “a person who provides subsurface soil contamination and groundwater consulting services, or who contracts to perform or who supervises remediation or corrective action services at leaking underground storage tank sites.”  These services and activities must be provided by or directly supervised by a certified groundwater professional.  All reports submitted to the Iowa DNR must be signed by the Certified Groundwater Professional supervising the work at the site.

In complying with the legislative mandate, persons must be certified as a Groundwater Professional before performing any of the services above. 

List of Certified Groundwater Professionals

These lists are offered simply to help you find potential sources of assistance.  As you will find noted with each group, we make no attempt to qualify persons on the list.  It is between you and the persons you contact to discuss evidence of their capabilities.

Groundwater Professional Certification Process

  1. Persons wanting to obtain certification as an Iowa Groundwater Professional must first complete an application.  The application will be reviewed by DNR and a determination will be made as to the applicant’s qualifications. DNR will send a letter to the applicant either stating that the applicant is qualified or the applicant is not qualified.
  2. Qualified applicants then need to complete the DNR groundwater professional self- study course  (recommended) or other training course subject to DNR approval prior to taking a written exam for groundwater professional certification.   Links to the self-study course materials are provided below.  Contact USTLicensing@dnr.iowa.gov for approval of other training courses.  Applicants will need to contact USTLicensing@dnr.iowa.gov to make an appointment for testing and must have an approved groundwater professional application on file with the DNR at least two weeks prior to the testing date. 
  3. Applicants who successfully pass the written examination must pay an initial certification fee by check or money order made payable to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $200 to complete the certification process.

Exception: Applicants who are currently registered as a professional engineer in the State of Iowa and meet the exemption qualification criteria in 134.3(6) of the certification rules, may complete a PE exemption from examination form.  A copy of the applicant’s current Iowa PE registration card, a copy of college transcripts, and a completed signed affidavit form must be submitted with the application form.  If approved, the applicant will be exempted from taking the written exam.

Following are a list of instructions to be used in completion of the application.

  1. All information must be typed or printed.
  2. Failure to complete all sections or attach the required supplemental information will result in rejection and/or delay of the application.
  3. Include with the application a non-refundable application fee.
  4. Please allow sufficient time for processing of your application.
  5. Duplication of the application is permitted.

Following is the list of groundwater professional self-study course documents