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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 a individual must complete both a lecture and field session. The field session involves successfully reading 25 black smoke emissions and 25 white smoke emissions. Recertification, which must be completed every 6 months, involves successfully reading 25 black and 25 white smoke emissions during a field session.

Training & Certification Sessions

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

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.

Upcoming Sessions:

Spring - May 2 - 4, 2023

Fall - October 3 - 5, 2023

Visible Emissions Certification course: Spring Sessions | Fall Sessions

Visible Emissions Training & Certification Pre-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.

More information on EPA Reference Methods 9 and 22 can be found on the EPA's website . The Division has developed the Visible Emissions Observation Form (SFN 8441).

List of VE Certified Individuals

Class	Posted Date
Spring 2022 VE Persons Certified	17 May 2022
Fall 2022 VE Persons Certified	18 October 2022

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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 be holding four separate odor certification training sessions for those who require odor certification (see calendar or links below for dates and sessions times). Due to odor certifcation requiring shared vials close to individual's uncovered nose and mouth, we will be requiring individuals participating in the certification to provide a negative COVID-19 test result, no more than 7 days old (PCR or rapid tests are acceptable; no in-home test results will be accepted). The requirement of providing these test results may be re-evaluated on an annual basis.

For a list of free covid testing locations see the North Dakota Department of Health.

For more specific information on Odor Certification: 2022 Odor Certification Program Schedule