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The Department conducts training semi-annually to provide air pollution control personnel and other interested persons the opportunity to become certified to evaluate opacity created by emissions in accordance with EPA Reference Method 9. For an initial certification an individual must complete both the lecture and field session. Recertification, which must be completed every 6 months, involves successfully reading 25 black and 25 white smoke emissions during a field session.

More information on EPA Reference Methods 9 and 22 can be found on the EPA's website .

Training & Certification Sessions

The lecture session and several field certification sessions are conducted each spring and fall. The lecture is required for initial certification.

Upcoming Sessions:

Spring - April 30 - May 2, 2024

Fall - October 1 - 3, 2024

NOTE: As an option, persons may complete an online commercially produced Referance Method 9 Lecture Presentation in lieu of attending the lecture session in Bismarck. A certification of attendance of completion for the online course will be required to satisfy the lecture component for initial certification.

Visible Emissions Certification course: Spring Sessions | Fall Sessions

Registration Form

For more information about visible emissions evaluator certification, including EPA Reference Method 22 training, contact the Division of Air Quality at 701-328-5188, or email Keith Hinnenkamp (KHinnenk@nd.gov) or Rebekah Pfaff (RPfaff@nd.gov). Training and certification is conducted free of charge.

List of VE Certified Individuals

The Department no longer mails individual VE certification cards. In lieu of certification cards, a list of individuals certified for 6 months is maintained. This list serves as the official record of certification. Individual certification cards are available upon request by emailing Rebekah Pfaff (RPfaff@nd.gov)

Class	Posted Date
Spring 2023 VE Persons Certified	16 May 2023
Fall 2023 VE Persons Certified	1 November 2023

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VE Location

All sessions are held in Bismarck at the Environmental Training Center (2639 East Main Avenue).

The Department conducts training and certification sessions annually to provide air pollution control personnel and other interested persons the opportunity to become certified in the evaluation of odors pursuant to Chapter 33.1-15-16 of the North Dakota Air Pollution Control Rules.

The primary objective of training is to familiarize trainees with the:

• Requirements of Chapter 33.1-15-16 – Restriction of Odorous Air Contaminants.
• Use of a device to measure the intensity of an odor.
• Department field odor survey procedures.

The trainee must demonstrate the ability to distinguish various odorous samples and concentrations by successfully completing the three tests prescribed in the Department's Odor Certification Guideline.

Certification Sessions

The Department will hold several odor certification sessions during May for those who require odor certification.

For more specific information on Odor Certification: 2024 Odor Certification Program Schedule