The Minnesota Wetland Professional Certification Program (MWPCP) is a certification program for Minnesota wetland professionals administered by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). The program includes Professional and In-Training Professional certifications. Certification indicates an individual has a fundamental understanding of the basic technical tools, rules, policies and guidance associated with wetland regulatory compliance in Minnesota. This includes the following subject areas: wetland identification and delineation; wetland restoration; State and Federal wetland regulations (rules, policies, procedures); wetland functional assessment; and wetland monitoring.
The program emphasizes the practical components of these subject areas as they apply to wetland regulatory implementation. The program does not test for, nor does it certify the competency of a wetland professional. It certifies that a wetland professional has successfully completed foundational training developed specifically for those working in the wetland regulatory field in Minnesota and that they have the basic background knowledge and training to become competent at conducting work associated with wetland regulatory compliance.
Program Plan (pdf) Updated April 27, 2022
Frequently Asked Questions About the Program (pdf)
2025 MWPCP Training Courses:
Introduction to Wetland Delineation & Regulation Course
Introduction to Wetland Delineation and Regulations: MN DOT Training Center, Shoreview, MN- June 9-13 (Full)
Introduction to Wetland Delineation and Regulations: Northland Arboretum, Baxter, MN - September 8-12
Introduction to Wetland Delineation and Regulations: MN DOT Training Center, Shoreview - October 6-10
Course fee: $1,200 ($600 for SWCD, LGU, & Tribal Government Entities). The course fee includes the exam application fee. Limit 30 participants per course.
Virtual Training
WCA 101 virtual training- February 4-5 (2 half days) (3 online CEC per day)
WCA 201 Virtual training- February 19 (1 half day) (3 online CEC)
In-Person Training
TEP Academy- St Cloud MNDOT training center- April 16 & 17- Two one-day classes (6 CEC per day)- Course fee: $90 per day
Soils on the Landscape- Robert Nye Regional Park -April 29 & 30- Two one-day classes (6 CEC per day)- Course fee: $90 per day (Full- both days)
Wetland Delineation Methods with Field Practicum- Cloquet Forestry Center- May 20-22 (18 CEC)- Course fee: $650, $325 for SWCD, LGU & Tribal Government Entities
Plant ID- Shoreview MNDOT Training Center (July 14) and Cloquet Forestry Center (July 16)-Two one-day classes (6 CEC per day)- Course fee: $90 per day
MWPCP Regional Wetland Training- Northeast MN- Hermantown City Hall- August 12-13 (6 CEC per day)- Course fee: $90 per day
Hydrogeomorphic Method of Classifying Wetlands - Hartley Nature Center, Duluth- October 28-29- Two one-day classes (6 CEC per day)- Course fee: $90 per day
Wetland Banking & Monitoring for Consultants- Shoreview MNDOT Training Center- November 12-13 (12 CEC)- Course fee: $180
Registration will open on the following dates:
Virtual Training Courses- 8am on January 21
Introduction to Wetland Delineation & Regulation classes- 8am on February 24
April- June Classes- 8am on March 3
July-October classes- Week of June 16
Registration links can be found on the Wetland Training Opportunities page.
Certification Exams
Both the MWPCP Professional and Professional In-Training Exams will be offered at 1pm on the Friday of the Intro Classes: June 13 in Shoreview, September 12 in Baxter, October 10 in Shoreview.
You can register for MWPCP exams on both the Introduction Course (opens 8am on February 24) and regular in-person registration page (opens week of March 3).
Remember that anyone who intends to take either the Professional or the Professional In-Training exams are required to complete and submit an application to take the exam. Professional Exam applications must be submitted and approved prior to taking the exam. The exception are Intro Class participants who intend to take the Professional In-Training exam at the end of the class they attend as they qualify for the In-Training exam upon completion of the course.
The exam application fee to take either certification exam is $100 ($50 for SWCD, LGU and Tribal Government Entities).
Continuing Education Forms and Associated Policy Documents
Please use the following questions to help you determine which form to complete and submit.
Q: Are you interested in becoming certified by taking either the Professional or In-Training Professional Exam?
A: Review the Certification Exam Policies (pdf) document to determine which exam you are qualified to take. Then complete and return either the Application for Professional Certification Exam (dox) or the Application for Professional In-Training Certification Exam (dox).
Q: Are you interested in finding out if a training event you are considering attending is eligible for MWPCP continuing education credits toward either your certification renewal or for meeting the training qualification to take one of the certification exams?
A: Review the Continuing Education Policies (pdf- updated April 27, 2022) document and then complete and return the Credit Hour Determination Request Form (dox).
Q: Are you certified and would like to report a training event that you attended toward your continuing education requirement?
A: Review the Continuing Education Policies (pdf- updated April 27, 2022) document and then complete and return the Credit Hour Reporting Form (dox).
Certified Professionals and In-Training Professionals List
The following file lists the name and certification status (Professional or In-Training Professional) of all MWPCP-certified individuals except for those who requested their name to be withheld from the publicly available list. Spellings of names are as provided by the individuals although we may have erred in the transfer of the information to the list. Please contact one of the listed program contacts if you are on the list and would like to make a correction/revision to your name. If you believe that you should be on the list, but are not, please contact one of the listed program contacts. Note that this list is not intended to be a resource for finding a wetland consultant. If you are looking for contact information for wetland consultants one option is to view a consultant directory on the MN Wetland Professionals Association website.
MWPCP Certification List (updated February 2025)
Already certified and switched jobs? Let us know so we have your new contact information to stay up to date with email announcements. Please send your new contact information to: bwsr.mwpcp@state.mn.us
Program questions, comments, and submittals should be sent to bwsr.mwpcp@state.mn.us