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Using TechReg

About Tech Reg

Tech Reg allows individuals, companies, and agencies to register and
request certification as Technical Service Providers (TSPs). It also
provides customers with a directory of registered TSPs.

To access Tech Reg:

At your browser window, enter http://techreg.usda.gov

Sign in to Tech Reg

You must have an USDA eGovernment account to use any functions except
Locate a TSP. If you already have an account, enter your credentials. If
you do not have an account, click
<http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eforms/default1.htm> for information on
obtaining an account.

You may apply in person at your local service center.

1.  Visit your local Service Center.

2.  Complete and sign a simple form, AD-2016.

3.  Your service center will verify your identity and enter your
    information into our records, please bring driver's license or
    passport.

4.  You will be given a letter with your temporary password and
    instructions to activate you're account.

5.  You will go to the Activation web site and select a permanent ID and
    password.

You may apply by Mail or Fax

1.  You can call your local Service Center and they can mail you the
    form AD-2016. Or, you can print the AD-2016. The link can be found
    in the instructions at the register link on the following site
    <http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eforms/default1.htm>.

2.  Complete the form with a notarized signature.

3.  Mail or fax the form to your local Service Center.

4.  You will be mailed two separate letters. One will provide you with
    your temporary ID and the second will provide you with your
    temporary password and instructions to activate your account.

5.  You will go to the Activation web site and select a permanent ID and
    password.

To locate a Technical Service Provider

Technical service providers are certified for categories of service that
are determined at a national level. However, certifications apply to
individual states for which the provider has all applicable licenses and
experience.

To apply online as a Technical Service Provider

Currently, you may register yourself. Later, the system will accommodate
sign up for companies, and agencies. The information requested will vary
based on the sign up type indicated.

1.  Click the signup box on the home page.

2.  The application will show information from your government account.
    Review it for accuracy; the address, email address, and telephone
    number will be used by both NRCS and customers trying to reach you.

3.  The profile information is divided into sections. The sections in
    Part 1 request Background information.

4.  Mark the button preceding type of signup---individual. (Company or
    agency will be added later.)

5.  Click **Add** to enter Certification States.\
    **Note:** As soon as a state is added, the Submit Application button
    becomes active.

6.  Click **Submit Application**.\
    **Note:** The system will respond with acknowlegement of your
    application.

7.  Click **Continue** to progress to your Update Profile Screen.

To update your profile

Initially, your profile will contain only the information brought in
from your eGovernment account (Section A). You must complete the rest of
your profile.

-   Add opens a dialog from which you can select another category.
    Appropriate rows for services and servicing area will be added.

-   Edit opens the selected row within a section for revision.

Section B. Completing Associated Companies/Agencies

An individual may register themselves or their company. Company and
individual can both register prior to certification. However, an
individual within the company must be certified as a TSP before the
company can be certified. The individual registering the company does
not need to be certified, but should have company authorization to
complete the certification agreement on behalf of the company.

Handling Company/Agency Association prior to anyone in company/agency
being certified:

1.  Complete your request for certification without selecting or
    completing any information in the Company/Agency section.

2.  If you are the one who will request certification for your company,
    return to TechReg after you receive your certification. Then, select
    **Add Business/Agency Certification** to complete the company
    certification process.

Handling Company/Agency Association when a TSP within company/agency has
been certified:

1.  Log in to TechReg.

2.  Go to Profile Part 1, Section B, Associated Companies/Agencies.

3.  Click **Add Business/Agency Certification** button.

4.  Confirm veracity of statements in the popup window.

5.  If you are an official representative of the business, then click
    **Add New Business**.

6.  Complete the required fields identifying your business.

7.  Carefully review the terms and conditions.

8.  Click **Agree** to proceed with certification request, or click
    **Disagree** to cancel request.

Using Company/Agency Association to associate a certified TSP with a
certified Company/Agency:

1.  Log in to TechReg.

2.  Go to Profile Part 1, Section B, Associated Companies/Agencies.

3.  Click **Add Business/Agency Certification** button.

4.  Confirm veracity of statements in the popup window.

5.  Click **Add Certified Employees**.

6.  Select Business.

7.  Select State.

8.  Click **Get List of certified TSPs** button.

9.  Highlight TSPs, then use \>\>\> and \<\<\< to move TSPs between
    available and selected list.

10. **Save**.

Section C. Relevant Accreditations/Licenses

Click the Add button to display a data entry form for completing
information about your relevant Accreditations/Licenses. Be sure to
include any state required licenses, license numbers, and expiration
date. This information is critical to remaining on active status once
certified. If any information changes, you can return to this page to
update your certification.

Add Certification

1.  Click **Add** to open a dialog popup.

2.  Select certifying organization.

3.  Indicate organization type by marking appropriate radio button.

4.  If state, select state from dropdown list.

5.  Enter License number, if applicable.

6.  Enter License expiration date. (You can also select the date using
    the popup calendar.)

7.  Click **Save**.

Edit or Delete Certification

1.  Click **Edit** in the row you wish to update.

2.  Change information in the popup dialog as needed.

3.  Click **Save** or **Delete**.

Section D. Education and Training

Complete any education and training that pertains to the

Add Education and Training

1.  Click **Add** to open a dialog popup.

2.  Enter name of institution.

3.  Select the area of study.

4.  Enter completion date. (You can select date from popup calendar, if
    completed in 1978 or later.)

5.  Click **Save**.

Edit or Delete Education and Training

1.  Click **Edit** in the row you wish to update.

2.  Change information in the popup dialog as needed.

3.  Click **Save**, **Delete** or **Close**.

Section E. Relevant Work Experience

Add Relevant Work Experience

1.  Click **Add** to open a dialog popup.

2.  Enter completion date. (You can select date from popup calendar, if
    completed in 1978 or later.)

3.  Enter description of the work performed in the Comments box.

4.  Click **Save**.

Edit or Delete Relevant Work Experience

1.  Click **Edit** in the row you wish to update.

2.  Change information in the popup dialog as needed.

3.  Click **Save**, **Delete** or **Close**.

Section E1. References

Add Relevant References

1.  Click **Add** to open a dialog popup.

2.  Enter full name and contact information for the references in the
    text box.

3.  Click **Save**.

Edit or Delete Relevant References

1.  Click **Edit** in the row you wish to update.

2.  Change information in the popup dialog as needed.

3.  Click **Save**, **Delete** or **Close**.

Section F. Familiarity with NRCS Guidelines, Criteria, Standards, and
Specifications

Add Familiarity with NRCS Guidelines, Criteria, Standards, and
Specifications

1.  Click **Add** to open a dialog popup.

2.  Enter completion date. (You can select date from popup calendar, if
    completed in 1978 or later.)

3.  Enter description of Familiarity with NRCS Guidelines, Criteria,
    Standards, and Specifications.

4.  Click **Save**.

Edit or Delete Familiarity with NRCS Guidelines, Criteria, Standards,
and Specifications

1.  Click **Edit** in the row you wish to update.

2.  Change information in the popup dialog as needed.

3.  Click **Save**, **Delete** or **Close**.

Sections G, H, I. Completing Certification Categories, Services, and
Servicing Areas

Preparation

1.  Select Reports, Technical Service Categories, Print to generate a
    copy of the Technical Service Categories report.

2.  Determine the categories in which you will apply for certification.

3.  View the report again, this time clicking the Criteria button to
    view Criteria groups for each category of interest.

4.  View/print the description of the criteria you will need to meet.

Selecting a category

1.  Click **Add** on the Certification Category section bar. A dialog
    box will display.

2.  Select a state from the drop-down menu. (If you wish certification
    in multiple states, you will need to repeat this process.
    Certification is on a state-by-state basis, although categories are
    national.)

3.  The Category Available section will be populated with the choices
    available for the selected state.\
    Tip: Click the "Click to go to Category Detail Page" to open another
    page with a comprehensive report, the "Active Technical Services
    Category List."

4.  Click selections (hold down Ctrl key for multiple selections) in the
    available list, then click \>\>\> to move items to Category Selected
    list.

5.  Click selections (hold down Ctrl key for multiple selections) in the
    Category Selected list, then click \<\<\< to remove items from the
    Category Selected list.

6.  Save your selections.

To enter qualifications for categories:

1.  Click the Qualifications button in the category row for which you
    need to enter qualifications.

2.  Select ONE group from the groups listed below. You must meet ALL of
    the criteria in the selected group.

3.  If the selected group requires a license, select a license from the
    drop-down list.

4.  For each criteria item within your selected group, place a check
    mark in each box, Education, Work Experience, or NRCS familiarity,
    that contains information that satisfies the criteria. For example,
    if the criteria requires a degree in a particular field and you
    listed your degree under Profile Part 1, Section D, Education and
    Training, you should check the box for that row under Education.

5.  When complete, click Save. After saving, you will be returned to the
    Profile Part 2 screen.

To select services for a category.

1.  Each category defaults to All Services within the category. If you
    do not wish to provide all services in the category, you must edit
    Section H.

2.  Click **Edit** on the row in Section H, Services to be Provided.

3.  Click selections in the Service Available list, then click the
    **\>\>\>** box to move items to Services Selected list.

4.  Click selections in the Services Selected box, then click the
    **\<\<\<** box to remove items from the Services Selected list.

5.  Save your selection.

Section J. Certification Agreement History

The Agreement History tracks updates to your Technical Service Provider
Certification. It records the agreement and application data at the time
you submitted it. Click **View** to see the agreement.

To sign up using the printable form (not currently available)

1.  Click **Print Application**.\
    **Note:** This will open an Adobe Acrobat .pdf file in another
    window. You must have Acrobat Reader 5.0 or above.

2.  Print, complete, and mail the application.

To sign up through a Certifying Organization

1.  Click **Apply through Certifying Organization**.

2.  Contact the appropriate organization from those listed. Check the
    list periodically for new organizations.