Maryland Biological Stream Survey Training & Certification
MBSS Spring Training will be held in February 2026, exact dates TBD.
Spring training will be a half-day virtual session followed by an optional in-person demonstration of field protocols. Registration for spring training is $75.
MBSS Summer Training will be held in May 2026, exact dates TBD.
Summer training is 4 days in-person, with a mixture of classroom/laboratory instruction and field protocol demonstrations. Participants may register for 1-2 days at $75 per day, or for 3+ days for a total of $200.
Training registration is currently closed. For questions pertaining to MBSS training please contact
william.harbold@maryland.gov.
MBSS Certifications
Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) stream sampling protocols and taxonomic standards are currently required by some counties and state agencies. To accommodate these requirements, Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers six certifications to accompany the MBSS spring and summer MBSS trainings. These certifications include:
- Benthic macroinvertebrate sampling
- Benthic macroinvertebrate laboratory processing and subsampling
- Fish crew leader
- Fish taxonomy
- Mussel taxonomy
- Physical habitat assessment
The Department of Natural Resources considers individuals who are certified by the Society for Freshwater Science (SFS) in
both EPT East
and North American Chironomidae to be certified in benthic macroinvertebrate taxonomy. SFS certifications are not offered by the department and must be pursued through the Society for Freshwater Science directly.
Attendance at MBSS spring and summer trainings is a partial requirement for five of the sixcertifications. Passing written tests and field audits will be required, as well as passing additional tests and quality assurance procedures. Passing a laboratory audit and a written test will be required for benthic macroinvertebrate laboratory processing and subsampling certification. Providing documentation of adequate prior experience conducting surveys using regionally standard mussel survey protocols will be required to complete the mussel taxonomist certification after testing.
Prices for certification for all entities (both non-profit and for-profit organizations) are the same. Benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, benthic macroinvertebrate laboratory processing and subsampling, fish crew leader, and fish taxonomy certifications are valid for three years and physical habitat assessment certification is valid for one year. Freshwater mussel taxonomy certification remains valid indefinitely as long as the individual continues to provide annual documentation of training and/or field work. Additional information (including current pricing) for all MBSS certifications is available in the FAQ and the MBSS Certification Requirements Quick Reference documents linked below.
Notes:
- To be considered consistent with MBSS protocols, benthic macroinvertebrate data must be collected by a person certified in benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, the sample must be processed by an individual who is certified in laboratory processing and subsampling, and a person who is a certified taxonomist in both EPT East and North American Chironomidae by the Society for Freshwater Science must perform the benthic macroinvertebrate taxonomy.
- To be considered consistent with MBSS protocols, the fish data must be collected by a crew led by a certified crew leader. Additionally, a certified fish taxonomist must identify the fish collected by the crew.
- The department will not accept payments of certification fees from individuals who register for benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, fish crew leader, fish taxonomy, or mussel taxonomy certification until after the written tests administered at training have been passed. If the written test is passed, the department will accept the check and the certification process will continue. If the written test is not passed, no payment is required.
- An audit site used for benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, fish crew leader, or fish taxonomy certification can be an actual biomonitoring site (i.e., a site on the applicant’s sampling schedule), if the location and scheduling for the site is also agreeable to the Department of Natural Resources Quality Control Officer conducting the audit, and the audit takes place during the index period. As an alternative, audits may also be conducted at a mutually agreed upon site convenient for both parties. It is important to note that, if the audit is not passed, the person will not be certified, and the department will be unable to document the quality of the data compared to data collected by a Department of Natural Resources crew.
- To maintain an active certification in benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, persons must attend spring training each year for the three-year certification term.
- To maintain an active certification as fish crew leader, persons must attend the fish sampling protocol portion (usually Day 1) of summer training each year for the three-year certification term.
- To maintain an active certification as a mussel taxonomist, persons must provide documentation that they are maintaining a minimum level of experience through training or fieldwork on an annual basis.
- After successful completion of a particular certification process, the certified person's name will be listed as being certified for that aspect of MBSS sampling protocols or taxonomy in a registry (see below) on the MBSS website and provided upon request.
MBSS Certification Documents
