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 nonmercury 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-isopacity.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.

Would someone who was already certified for QSTI for the first three modules be 

automatically qualified for certification as QSTO for those modules?

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.)

 Critical thinking (atypical sampling requirements, data intepretation, 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.)

 Source types and characteristic sampling conditions and challenges (process types, 

flows, temperatures, pressures, concentrations, variability, 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.).

 Data quality metrics and implications (QAOs, DQOs, blanks, audit samples, precision, 

accuracy, bias, statistical analysis, 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.