Empower Your Team Through Certification
Certified planners bring consistency, confidence, and nationally recognized standards to their work, helping districts deliver higher-quality conservation services and build trust with landowners and partners.
By encouraging certification, organizations strengthen staff retention, develop future leaders, and ensure their team is equipped to meet evolving conservation challenges with skill and credibility.
How to Support Your Employee Through Certification
Follow these steps to guide your employee from choosing a level to completing certification:
Step 1: Understand the Planner Designation Levels
Learn about the four NRCS Conservation Planner levels and the skills and responsibilities each develops. Higher levels build on prior certification and allow staff to take on greater planning responsibilities and mentoring roles.
Level 1: The Foundation
Level 2: Strengthening Planning Skills
Level 3: Independent Plan Creation
Level 4: Leadership & Training
Step 2: Discuss Goals and Support Options
Talk with your employee about their certification goals and the level they want to pursue. Identify what your organization can provide: time, training, or financial support.
- Identify employees ready for certification
- Provide time and resources for training
- Serve as a mentor during the process
- Sign off on experience requirements
- Advocate for certification support from leadership
Step 3: Review Time Commitments
Certification requires a mix of online coursework, in-person training, and on-the-job experience. Staff time, fees, and travel vary by level:
- Training time varies for each level:
- Level 1: 30-40 hours
- Level 2: 30-40 hours
- Level 3: 60-80 hours
- Level 4: 6-12 months
Note: Although each level has an estimate of training hours, total completion time for each level will vary depending on local course offerings, planner schedules, and other factors.
Step 4: Review Required Coursework
Each certification level has a defined set of required courses and experience. Most coursework is tracked through AgLearn, NRCS’s training platform, which allows you to:
- Load the appropriate Conservation Planner program
- Track completed and remaining courses
- Receive updates as requirements change
How To Load Programs in AgLearn (PDF in production)
Step 5: Connect with NCPP for support
NCPP can help connect you with the appropriate training coordinator and support you throughout the certification process.
What Happens Next?
Once the appropriate certification level is identified, your employee will load the required program in AgLearn and begin completing coursework and training. As they progress, they’ll work with supervisors, mentors, and state reviewers to meet experience and quality assurance requirements before advancing to the next certification level.
Find Your Contact By Region
Connect with your NCPP representative for personalized guidance and support.
Northeast
Southeast
North Central
South Central
Northern Plains
Southwest
Pacific
Certification Levels
Level 1: NRCS Conservation Planner
Level 1 certification establishes the core competencies for beginning conservation planners. While Level 1 planners are not fully certified, they may conduct many planning activities under the review and approval of a Level 3 or 4 planner. This certification can be completed entirely online and does not expire.
Training Requirements
- This certification can be completed entirely online with an AgLearn account.
- Conservation Planning, Part 1
- Conservation Planning Business Tools (if applicable)
- Water Quality Series
- Soils and Web Soil Survey
- Cultural Resources and Environmental Evaluation training
- State-specific requirements and supervisor certification
Estimated time to complete: 30-40 hours
Level 2: NRCS Conservation Planner
Level 2 planners can plan independently within their approved scope but cannot certify full conservation plans. This level helps bridge the gap between Levels 1 and 3 and allows planners to pursue specialty certifications, such as Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP).
Training Requirements
- All Level 1 requirements
- Conservation Planning, Part 2
- Water Quality coursework
- Specialty-specific training (e.g., CNMP or TSP)
- State-specific requirements and supervisor certification
Estimated time to complete: 30-40 hours (4 hours of on-demand training plus a 5-day in-person Conservation Planning, Part 2 course)
Level 3: (Certified): NRCS Conservation Planner
Level 3 is the primary certification for planners delivering conservation planning assistance. Level 3 planners may write and certify conservation plans independently and may carry specialty certifications.
Training Requirements
- All Level 2 requirements
- Conservation Planning, Part 3
- Resource Management System (RMS) plan completion with a mentor
- Soil Health and Sustainability
- Economics, communications, and resource-specific training
- State-specific requirements and supervisor certification
Estimated time to complete: 40-60 hours (23 hours of on-demand online training plus two multi-day in-person courses and completing an RMS plan with a mentor.)
Level 4: (Master Certified): NRCS Conservation Planner
Level 4 certification is for experienced planners addressing complex planning situations and mentoring others. This level includes leadership, training, and state-level review responsibilities.
Training Requirements
- Must be a Level 3 planner
- State quality reviews
- Instructor and mentorship experience
- Advanced communications, economics, and natural resource coursework
- State-specific requirements and supervisor certification
Estimated time to complete: 6-12 months (depends on course scheduling and opportunities to complete required on-the-job experience such as quality assurance reviews and instructor support.)
Specialty Certifications
Specialties (i.e. CNMP) can be added to your planner designation once you are at least a Level 2 planner.
NRCS CNMP Specialty – See Requirements. In addition to coursework found in AgLearn, two CNMP plans must be submitted and approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the certification process.
Which certification level should my employee start with?
Most employees should begin with Level 1, which builds foundational planning skills and prepares them for advanced certifications or specialties.
How much time should I expect staff to spend on certification?
Level I generally requires 30–40 hours. Higher levels require additional time for coursework, in-person training, mentoring, and plan reviews.
Are training costs covered by the district or employer?
In many cases, course fees are covered by districts or employers. Costs vary by level and training format. Check with your NCPP representative for more information.
Will certification require staff to travel?
Some certifications include in-person trainings offered in various locations. Advance planning can help minimize disruptions to workloads.
How do we track an employee’s progress?
Progress is tracked in AgLearn, where employees load the appropriate Conservation Planner program and mark completion of required courses and experiences.
Still have questions? We’re happy to help. Contact us at training@wearencpp.com.
