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Illinois TSP Frequently Asked Questions
About Certification Renewal

  1. When can I renew my TSP certification?
  2. What if I can’t renew my TSP certification before the deadline? Will I still be a TSP?
  3. I want to be certified in several states. Should I apply for all the states all at once?
  4. I’ve forgotten my password and can’t login to the TechReg website. What should I do?
  5. The TechReg website has my old address/phone number/e-mail? How do I change my address/phone number/e-mail?
  6. How can I satisfy the training requirements in Section F1—NRCS Conservation Planning Training Requirement?
  7. I’m having trouble completing my TSP application on the TechReg website. Is there a detailed description I can read?
  8. After reading the TechReg - Step by Step Guide, I still have Illinois TSP certification questions. Who do I contact?

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1) When can I renew my TSP certification?

Your TSP certification is good for a 3-year period. Sixty days before the expiration of your certification, the TechReg website sends you an e-mail telling you to renew if you wish to continue as a TSP. At that time, your online TechReg account will display a “Renew” button. Prior to the 60-day period, the renewal process is not activated nor displayed on-screen to the TSP.

For example, a TSP originally became certified September 10, 2003. The TSP certification will expire September 10, 2006. The TechReg website will notify the TSP via the current e-mail address of the need to renew 60 days prior to September 10, 2006. This TSP can renew anytime between July 12, 2006 and September 10, 2006 to remain an active TSP and continue to be displayed on the TechReg website for potential clients to see.

If your e-mail address is incorrect or is missing, you will not receive an e-mail notification.

If you try to renew prior to the final 60 day period, TechReg considers your attempt a modification to your existing TSP profile and not a renewal request. For example a re-certification prior to July 12 is considered a modification and if approved does not change your original expiration date of Sept. 10, 2003.


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2) What if I can’t renew my TSP certification before the deadline? Will I still be a TSP?

Once the expiration date passes, your name will no longer be displayed on the TechReg website to potential clients. If your name does not appear on the public TechReg website (“Find a Technical Service Provider” link), then you cannot be paid for Technical Service Providers services until you renew your certification.

However, you still have a TSP account on TechReg. Simply log back in to your account, complete your TSP application and submit the application to NRCS for review. Note that NRCS has 60 days to review your application after you submit it.

If you intend to remain a TSP, it is helpful to at least begin the renewal process, even if you can’t complete the process before the expiration date. By initiating the renewal process on the TechReg website, TechReg understands you are interested in remaining a TSP.

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3) I want to be certified in several states. Should I apply for all the states all at once?

No. It would be quicker to get certified in your home state first. Then, once your home state accepts your application, you can add other states.

TechReg either accepts (certifies) all categories for all states or declines (defers) all categories for all states.

E.g. a TSP applies in 37 states for 289 categories. If all 37 states accept all 289 categories, the TSP is certified.

However, it is very rare that a TSP meets all requirements in 37 states. If any one state has additional training requirements for any one category, then the entire 37-state 289-category TSP application is deferred. After being deferred, the TSP must change the application as indicated in the deferral e-mail notice and resubmit.

It is unusual for a TSP application involving four or five states to go through the first time. Generally, there are enough differences between states that at least one state needs additional information or training.

It is highly recommended you get certified in your home state first, then add other states a few at a time.

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4) I’ve forgotten my password and can’t login to the TechReg website. What should I do?

If you have forgotten your TechReg password, e-mail the eAuthHelpDesk@usda.gov and request a password reset. Include in your message, how they can contact you (email, telephone number, mail address) as well as your loginID and a good description of the problem (I am Technical Service Provider trying to access the TechReg website).

For a password reset they may require the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (not all the digits, just the last 4 digits). With their current workload it will probably take a day to a week to process your request. When they reset your password, they provide you a temporary password. Once you login the next time, you will be prompted to change your password. Your new password should include:

  • 9-12 characters
  • One or more uppercase letters
  • One or more lowercase letters
  • One or more non-alphabetic characters (1234567890!@#$%&*)

eAuthentication recommends you login to your TechReg account every six months or so. The eAuthentication system automatically disables accounts which are not used for approximately a year to protect account owners' personal information. So, if you haven’t logged in to TechReg for a year, you will probably need a password reset to enable your account again.

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5) The TechReg website has my old address/phone number/e-mail? How do I change my address/phone number/e-mail?

Go to a local USDA Service Center with your government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license) and ask them to update your SCIMS database record. Once the change in the SCIMS database has been made, it may take one day to for the change to be reflected on the TechReg website.

You must have a valid, current e-mail address in the SCIMS database maintained by USDA.

You should also update your eAuthentication information, which you can do yourself on-line. Go to the TechReg website and login. When you see the eAuthentication Login screen that has the green banner labeled “eAuthentication Login”, click on “Update your account” under “Quick Links” on the left hand side of the screen. Update your information as appropriate.

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6) How can I satisfy the training requirements in Section F1—NRCS Conservation Planning Training Requirement?

The requirement for completion of Conservation Planning Modules 1-5 was added in Spring 2006 for all TSP’s. This was not a requirement in the past. Equivalent training to NRCS Conservation Planning will also satisfy this requirement. Click on the gray button labeled “Add NRCS training” in Section F1 of your TechReg profile to indicate completion of this requirement
Conservation Planning is one of a number of courses currently available to TSPs online at the NRCS AgLearn Center (http://www.aglearn.usda.gov/)

  1. Introduction to Water Quality
  2. Nutrient Management Track Part 1
  3. Pest Management Track Part 1
  4. Agricultural Waste Primer
  5. Agricultural Waste Management Level 2
  6. Cultural Resources Part 1
  7. Field Office Technical Guide Primer
  8. Conservation Planning Part 1
  9. TSP Orientation

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7) How can I satisfy the training requirements in Section F2—TSP Orientation Course

This requirement does not apply to “renewals”. It only applies to new applications for certification.

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8) I’m having trouble completing my TSP application on the TechReg website. Is there a detailed description I can read?

Yes. The TechReg - Step by Step Guide on the TechReg homepage is an excellent resource for detailed directions. The section labeled “To enter qualifications for categories” is especially helpful.
The step by step guide is at: https://techreg.nrcs.usda.gov/help/TechRegDirections.doc under the yellow banner labeled “Technical Service Providers”

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9) After reading the TechReg - Step by Step Guide, I still have Illinois TSP certification questions. Who do I contact?

E-mail James B. Johnson, USDA-NRCS at: james.johnson@il.usda.gov

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Updated 4/27/07

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