Licensed Site Professional Association

We are scientists, geologists, engineers, chemists and other environmental professionals. We are cleaning up contaminated sites in Massachusetts – one site at a time and over 18,000 since we started over ten years ago. The Licensed Site Professional Association (LSPA) is the statewide association for Licensed Site Professionals (LSPs), related environmental professionals and others interested in utilizing the LSPA resources. Founded in April 1993, LSPA promotes sound business and technical practices of member LSPs, representing its membership about the standards of practice, the role, and the responsibilities of the LSP, and serving as an education, information, and communication resource. The LSPA has over 900 members including 90 percent of the LSPs in the state.

Contamination of soil, groundwater and drinking water supplies, as chronicled in the book and movie “A Civil Action,” prompted Massachusetts leaders to recognize the need for corrective action to cleanup hundreds of sites affected by releases of oil and hazardous materials. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), concerned citizens and environmental professionals developed the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP), the regulations governing site cleanups. The LSP program, a state licensing of environmental professionals, is a cornerstone of the Contingency Plan. LSPs help those ultimately responsible for sites to conduct cleanups, with the goal of returning affected land to safe use.

Who are LSPs?

Licensed Site Professionals are environmental engineers and scientists licensed by the state of Massachusetts to provide certified opinions to the DEP on the investigation and cleanup of sites. The LSP program is a cornerstone of the MCP, which establishes requirements for notification, assessment and cleanup of actual and threatened releases of oil or hazardous materials.

How are LSPs licensed?

The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Professionals (LSP Board) licenses LSPs. The LSP Board first met in the Fall of 1992 and created governing regulations in the Spring of 1993. These regulations establish the professional standards LSPs must meet to remain licensed, including a mandatory continuing education requirement. Professionals meeting state education and experience requirements are licensed after passing a day-long examination on regulatory and technical topics. The first 300 LSP licenses were issued in September 1993. Massachusetts’ LSP program is the most demanding site cleanup professional licensing program in the nation.

What will an LSP do for you?

LSPs prepare and evaluate data regarding the real or threatened release of oil or hazardous material on your property. An LSP will advise you on a course of action for response that complies with the MCP. Your LSP will prepare appropriate reports and certifications for submittal to DEP as your response action progresses through to completion.

What are the benefits of using an LSP?

LSPs will use their knowledge and experience to guide the cleanup process so response actions protect health and the environment, meet MCP requirements and are acceptable to the DEP. Based on their experience, LSPs facilitate cleanups, making them more timely and cost-effective.