I forgot my password. How do I reset it?

Go to the login page and click on the “Forgot Password” link just above the login button.

Do I need to do the identity-proofing step before I can submit a permit application?

Only if the program you are submitting a permit application for is an EPA CROMERR-compliant program. Here’s a list of CROMERR-compliant programs:

Can I change my security questions?

Yes. Navigate to this page, select a different question, provide an answer, and click on the Save button.

I forgot my password. How do I reset it?

Go to the login page and click on the “Forgot Password” link just above the login button.

Do I need to do the identity-proofing step before I can submit a permit application?

Only if the program you are submitting a permit application for is an EPA CROMERR-compliant program. Here’s a list of CROMERR-compliant programs:

Can I change my security questions?

Yes. Navigate to this page, select a different question, provide an answer, and click on the Save button.

I need to make a correction to a permit that I already submitted. Can I do that?

No. Once you submit a permit application, it cannot be edited. However, in certain circumstances, you can contact the DEQ Division of the program to re-open your permit application.

I can’t fill out the permit application in a single sitting. Will the system save what I’ve entered so far so that I don’t have to re-enter anything?

Yes. The system automatically saves your permit application progress when you click on the green “Next” button on the bottom right of each application screen.

I logged out without finishing my permit application. How do I access it so that I can complete it?

After logging back into the system, navigate to “My Applications”, find your permit in the table grid, and click on the pencil (edit) icon under the “Action” column.

How do I view/track the status of my permit application?

Go to “My Applications”, find your permit application in the table grid, and click on the pencil (edit) icon. You will then see a status tracker display similar to the one illustrated below.

I need to make a correction to a permit that I already submitted. Can I do that?

No. Once you submit a permit application, it cannot be edited. However, in certain circumstances, you can contact the DEQ Division of the program to re-open your permit application.

I can’t fill out the permit application in a single sitting. Will the system save what I’ve entered so far so that I don’t have to re-enter anything?

Yes. The system automatically saves your permit application progress when you click on the green “Next” button on the bottom right of each application screen.

I logged out without finishing my permit application. How do I access it so that I can complete it?

After logging back into the system, navigate to “My Applications”, find your permit in the table grid, and click on the pencil (edit) icon under the “Action” column.

How do I view/track the status of my permit application?

Go to “My Applications”, find your permit application in the table grid, and click on the pencil (edit) icon. You will then see a status tracker display similar to the one illustrated below.

RO - Responsible Official

This representative with the authority to be the primary decision-maker for the property or business function. This person can prepare and submit permit applications.

• This role is responsible and accountable for compliance.
• ​ Signature Authority​
• Ability to Prepare/Submit applications, modifications, data/reports and pay fees. (see individual rules for the program)​
• Manage My Team – add DRO, Preparer, Certifier and Admin
• Examples: Owner, Operator, Plant Manager, Corporate Officer, Elected Official, LLC owner/operator, etc.​

DRO - Designated Responsible Official

This representative is defined as a duly Authorized Representative within the RO’s organization that has been given specific powers/authority to act on the behalf of the RO. Delegation of duties to the Authorized Representative must be approved in advanced and documented. This role can submit applications and compliance reports.​

• Federal permits must have the DROs be in their organization​
• Permit process to trigger the review of DROs assigned to a RO account for the short-term project DROs​
• Signature Authority​
• Ability to Prepare/Submit applications, modifications, data/Reports and pay fees. (see individual rules for the program)​
• Manage My Team – add Preparer, Certifier and Admin​
• Examples: Public Works Director, High Ranking Official, etc

Certifier

Certifier is defined as someone that prepares permit applications or compliance reports on behalf of the DRO or RO.

• This role cannot submit applications or compliance reports.​
• Can pay fees on behalf of the DRO or RO once an application has been submitted by the RO/DRO
• Examples: Consultant, Agent, Contractor, etc.​

Preparer

This is an authorized representative with the authority to prepare a permit application, but cannot submit an application.

Administrator

Defined as someone that can pay bills/fees on behalf of the DRO or RO.​

**NOTE** - Higher level roles will inherent lower level role functionality and access​

RO - Responsible Official

This representative with the authority to be the primary decision-maker for the property or business function. This person can prepare and submit permit applications.

• This role is responsible and accountable for compliance.
• ​ Signature Authority​
• Ability to Prepare/Submit applications, modifications, data/reports and pay fees. (see individual rules for the program)​
• Manage My Team – add DRO, Preparer, Certifier and Admin
• Examples: Owner, Operator, Plant Manager, Corporate Officer, Elected Official, LLC owner/operator, etc.​

DRO - Designated Responsible Official

This representative is defined as a duly Authorized Representative within the RO’s organization that has been given specific powers/authority to act on the behalf of the RO. Delegation of duties to the Authorized Representative must be approved in advanced and documented. This role can submit applications and compliance reports.​

• Federal permits must have the DROs be in their organization​
• Permit process to trigger the review of DROs assigned to a RO account for the short-term project DROs​
• Signature Authority​
• Ability to Prepare/Submit applications, modifications, data/Reports and pay fees. (see individual rules for the program)​
• Manage My Team – add Preparer, Certifier and Admin​
• Examples: Public Works Director, High Ranking Official, etc

Certifier

Certifier is defined as someone that prepares permit applications or compliance reports on behalf of the DRO or RO.

• This role cannot submit applications or compliance reports.​
• Can pay fees on behalf of the DRO or RO once an application has been submitted by the RO/DRO
• Examples: Consultant, Agent, Contractor, etc.​

Preparer

This is an authorized representative with the authority to prepare a permit application, but cannot submit an application.

Administrator

Defined as someone that can pay bills/fees on behalf of the DRO or RO.​

**NOTE** - Higher level roles will inherent lower level role functionality and access​

RO - Responsible Official

This representative with the authority to be the primary decision-maker for the property or business function. This person can prepare and submit permit applications.

• This role is responsible and accountable for compliance.
• ​ Signature Authority​
• Ability to Prepare/Submit applications, modifications, data/reports and pay fees. (see individual rules for the program)​
• Manage My Team – add DRO, Preparer, Certifier and Admin
• Examples: Owner, Operator, Plant Manager, Corporate Officer, Elected Official, LLC owner/operator, etc.​

DRO - Designated Responsible Official

This representative is defined as a duly Authorized Representative within the RO’s organization that has been given specific powers/authority to act on the behalf of the RO. Delegation of duties to the Authorized Representative must be approved in advanced and documented. This role can submit applications and compliance reports.​

• Federal permits must have the DROs be in their organization​
• Permit process to trigger the review of DROs assigned to a RO account for the short-term project DROs​
• Signature Authority​
• Ability to Prepare/Submit applications, modifications, data/Reports and pay fees. (see individual rules for the program)​
• Manage My Team – add Preparer, Certifier and Admin​
• Examples: Public Works Director, High Ranking Official, etc

Certifier

Certifier is defined as someone that prepares permit applications or compliance reports on behalf of the DRO or RO.

• This role cannot submit applications or compliance reports.​
• Can pay fees on behalf of the DRO or RO once an application has been submitted by the RO/DRO
• Examples: Consultant, Agent, Contractor, etc.​

Preparer

This is an authorized representative with the authority to prepare a permit application, but cannot submit an application.

Administrator

Defined as someone that can pay bills/fees on behalf of the DRO or RO.​

**NOTE** - Higher level roles will inherent lower level role functionality and access​

I need some help with the system. Who do I contact?

Fill out and submit this form, which is also available by navigating to the help menu and selecting the “Contact Us” menu item.

I have a technical question about my permit/program. Who do I contact about it?

You can contact DEQ staff directly via email (a staff directory is available here: https://www.deq.nc.gov/employee-directory). Alternatively, you can fill out the “Contact Us” form and make sure to select “I have a permit-related technical question” from the “Type of Issue” listbox. Your question will get routed to the appropriate DEQ staff who will then contact you.

I received a website error/ran into a bug on the website. How do I get this resolved?

Fill out the “ Contact Us” form and make sure to select “I have a website functionality question” from the “Type of Issue” listbox. Make sure you provide enough details about the specific issue you encountered, including which permit application you were in, steps to reproduce the problem, browser, operating system, etc.

I need some help with the system. Who do I contact?

Fill out and submit this form, which is also available by navigating to the help menu and selecting the “Contact Us” menu item.

I have a technical question about my permit/program. Who do I contact about it?

You can contact DEQ staff directly via email (a staff directory is available here: https://www.deq.nc.gov/employee-directory). Alternatively, you can fill out the “Contact Us” form and make sure to select “I have a permit-related technical question” from the “Type of Issue” listbox. Your question will get routed to the appropriate DEQ staff who will then contact you.

I received a website error/ran into a bug on the website. How do I get this resolved?

Fill out the “ Contact Us” form and make sure to select “I have a website functionality question” from the “Type of Issue” listbox. Make sure you provide enough details about the specific issue you encountered, including which permit application you were in, steps to reproduce the problem, browser, operating system, etc.

What are the processing fees if I use a credit card or ACH to pay for my permit?

If you use a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover), the fee is 1.85% of the invoice amount + $3.00. If you pay via ACH (bank draft), the fee is a flat fee of $1.25 + $3.00, or $4.25 total fee regardless of the invoice amount.

Can I pay by check instead of credit card or ACH?

Yes. You can still send in a payment by check via mail. When you select “I will send a check” the system will provide a mailing address. Please note that your permit application will be considered incomplete until your payment is received.

What are the processing fees if I use a credit card or ACH to pay for my permit?

If you use a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover), the fee is 1.85% of the invoice amount + $3.00. If you pay via ACH (bank draft), the fee is a flat fee of $1.25 + $3.00, or $4.25 total fee regardless of the invoice amount.

Can I pay by check instead of credit card or ACH?

Yes. You can still send in a payment by check via mail. When you select “I will send a check” the system will provide a mailing address. Please note that your permit application will be considered incomplete until your payment is received.

What is CROMERR?

EPA’s Cross Media Electronic Reporting Rule provides the legal framework for electronic reporting under EPA’s regulatory programs. The Rule sets performance-based, technology-neutral system standards and provides a streamlined, uniform process for Agency review and approval of electronic reporting. The CROMERR program ensures the enforceability of regulatory information collected electronically by EPA and EPA’s state, tribal and local government partners.  More info at https://www.epa.gov/cromerr

• Go to the AccessDEQ portal, located at https://www.deq.nc.gov/accessdeq, scroll down, and click on the Erosion and Sediment Control Applications block
• Next, click on the register link, and fill out your name, email, and password
• You will need to enter your password twice
• After entering your information, click on the register button
• The system will then send an email to your email address
• Now check your email inbox
• Click the link in the body of the email to confirm your registration with the portal
• You can now log into the system using your newly created AccessDEQ portal account

Screenshots

• Go to the AccessDEQ portal, located at https://www.deq.nc.gov/accessdeq, scroll down, and click on the Erosion and Sediment Control Applications block
• Next, click on the register link, and fill out your name, email, and password
• You will need to enter your password twice
• After entering your information, click on the register button
• The system will then send an email to your email address
• Now check your email inbox
• Click the link in the body of the email to confirm your registration with the portal
• You can now log into the system using your newly created AccessDEQ portal account

Screenshots

• If you forgot your password to the AccessDEQ portal, don’t worry, you can easily reset it.  
• To reset, go to the AccessDEQ portal, located at https://portal.deq.nc.gov, and click on the “Forgotten Password” link located just above the “Log-in” button
• Enter the email address you used to register with the portal
• Click on the “Send” button
• If the email you entered exists in the system, an email will be sent to it that will include a password reset link
• Go to your email inbox, and check for an email sent from our portal. The subject line of this email should display something like “North Carolina Access DEQ Password Changed”.  
• If you don’t see an email in your inbox after a few minutes, make sure you check your spam box before trying again
• In the body of the email, you will see a link embedded in the “go to this page” text block.  Click that link. Note that the link will expire after one hour, so you will need to do this before that amount of time lapses.
• When the “Reset Password” page loads, enter your new password into the password field and then also into the “Repeat new password field”.  When done, click on the “Save” button.
• You can now log into the system using your new password

Screenshots

• If you forgot your password to the AccessDEQ portal, don’t worry, you can easily reset it.  
• To reset, go to the AccessDEQ portal, located at https://portal.deq.nc.gov, and click on the “Forgotten Password” link located just above the “Log-in” button
• Enter the email address you used to register with the portal
• Click on the “Send” button
• If the email you entered exists in the system, an email will be sent to it that will include a password reset link
• Go to your email inbox, and check for an email sent from our portal. The subject line of this email should display something like “North Carolina Access DEQ Password Changed”.  
• If you don’t see an email in your inbox after a few minutes, make sure you check your spam box before trying again
• In the body of the email, you will see a link embedded in the “go to this page” text block.  Click that link. Note that the link will expire after one hour, so you will need to do this before that amount of time lapses.
• When the “Reset Password” page loads, enter your new password into the password field and then also into the “Repeat new password field”.  When done, click on the “Save” button.
• You can now log into the system using your new password

Screenshots

• Purpose: The purpose of identity-proofing is to ensure that the person interacting electronically with NCDEQ is actually the person who says they are.
• Partners: The identity-proofing component of NCDEQ's external portal is provided via an integration with EPA and their 3rd party partner Lexis-Nexis (LN). 
• How it works: LN uses information in publicly-available databases to check the information entered by the user in the identity-proofing screen.  This includes the users first and last name, phone number, last 4 digits of their social security number, and address. 
• Why this is needed: Some NCDEQ programs require getting identity-proofed prior to being able to submit a permit application. 

• When entering information into the identity-proofing screen, make sure that you use formal names instead of nicknames.  The system is going to check whatever you entered against names in databases where you may have used your formal given name and maiden name (instead of your nickname or married last name.
• Make sure you use your home address and not a PO Box or work address

• Make sure you enter the phone number you typically have used when filling out credit card and financial applications, bank info, mortgage documents, etc. This is usually a home phone number or registered cell phone, not a work number.

• After logging into the external portal, click on the person icon (dropdown menu) on the top right of the screen and select “My AccessDEQ”
• Click on the “Settings” tile
• Click on the “Identity-Proofing” tile
• Click on the green “Get ID Proofed” button
• Enter the requested information:
  • Middle initial
  • Phone number (home # recommended, or registered cell phone #)
  • Address (home address is recommended)
  • Last 4 digits of your social security number
  • Date of birth
• Click the “Submit” button

• Once you hit “Submit”, the screen will refresh and after a short time will display whether the info you entered “exceeded” (passed) or "did not exceed (failed).  

• If for some reason the info you provided did not pass identity-proofing, it's probably related to a nickname, maiden name, or phone number entered.   You can enter different info and try again.
• If the fields are locked/not editable, please contact us with your info and details so that we can unlock your info and assist with this process.  
• Sometimes publicly-available information is erroneous.  In those rare cases, you may have to submit data to NCDEQ manually.  Please contact us for details on how to submit your data manually.

Screenshots

• Purpose: The purpose of identity-proofing is to ensure that the person interacting electronically with NCDEQ is actually the person who says they are.
• Partners: The identity-proofing component of NCDEQ's external portal is provided via an integration with EPA and their 3rd party partner Lexis-Nexis (LN). 
• How it works: LN uses information in publicly-available databases to check the information entered by the user in the identity-proofing screen.  This includes the users first and last name, phone number, last 4 digits of their social security number, and address. 
• Why this is needed: Some NCDEQ programs require getting identity-proofed prior to being able to submit a permit application. 

• When entering information into the identity-proofing screen, make sure that you use formal names instead of nicknames.  The system is going to check whatever you entered against names in databases where you may have used your formal given name and maiden name (instead of your nickname or married last name.
• Make sure you use your home address and not a PO Box or work address

• Make sure you enter the phone number you typically have used when filling out credit card and financial applications, bank info, mortgage documents, etc. This is usually a home phone number or registered cell phone, not a work number.

• After logging into the external portal, click on the person icon (dropdown menu) on the top right of the screen and select “My AccessDEQ”
• Click on the “Settings” tile
• Click on the “Identity-Proofing” tile
• Click on the green “Get ID Proofed” button
• Enter the requested information:
  • Middle initial
  • Phone number (home # recommended, or registered cell phone #)
  • Address (home address is recommended)
  • Last 4 digits of your social security number
  • Date of birth
• Click the “Submit” button

• Once you hit “Submit”, the screen will refresh and after a short time will display whether the info you entered “exceeded” (passed) or "did not exceed (failed).  

• If for some reason the info you provided did not pass identity-proofing, it's probably related to a nickname, maiden name, or phone number entered.   You can enter different info and try again.
• If the fields are locked/not editable, please contact us with your info and details so that we can unlock your info and assist with this process.  
• Sometimes publicly-available information is erroneous.  In those rare cases, you may have to submit data to NCDEQ manually.  Please contact us for details on how to submit your data manually.

Screenshots

• After logging into the external portal, click on the person icon (dropdown menu) on the top right of the screen and select “My AccessDEQ”
• Click on the “Settings” tile
• Click on the “Security Questions” tile
• Select a question from each of the 5 listboxes, and enter your answer

• Repeat this for all 5 questions

  When done, click on the green “Submit” button on the bottom right of the screen
  

• You might want to write your answers down somewhere secure
• Answers are case-sensitive
• Make sure you don't enter a leading or trailing space in your answers 

Screenshots

• After logging into the external portal, click on the person icon (dropdown menu) on the top right of the screen and select “My AccessDEQ”
• Click on the “Settings” tile
• Click on the “Security Questions” tile
• Select a question from each of the 5 listboxes, and enter your answer

• Repeat this for all 5 questions

  When done, click on the green “Submit” button on the bottom right of the screen
  

• You might want to write your answers down somewhere secure
• Answers are case-sensitive
• Make sure you don't enter a leading or trailing space in your answers 

Screenshots

• After logging into the external portal, click on the person icon (dropdown menu) on the top right of the screen and select “My AccessDEQ”
• There are three ways you can start a new permit application (they all lead to the same place):
  • Click on the “+” tile from the My AccessDEQ page
  • Click on the “Applications” tile and then on the small “+ Start New Application” button just above the Applications table grid on the top left
  • Click on the Directory menu (under the person icon), and then on a big green “Start Application” button to the right of the permit type you are interested in
• As you progress within the permit application screens, you will see a series of white dots across the top of your screen, from left to right.  These white dots change to filled-in green dots as you visit each page of the permit application.  On the bottom right of each screen, you will see two large green buttons: "Previous" and “Save and Continue”.  Keep moving from screen to screen by clicking on the “Save and Continue” buttons.  Note that you will need to enter required fields before you can proceed to the next screen.

• When you get to the end of the permit application screens, you will see a green “Submit” button.  Click that button to submit your permit application to NCDEQ.  Note that you will have a chance to review your permit application as a completed PDF before submitting it
  

• Select “My AccessDEQ”
• Click on the “Applications” tile.  You will then see your permit applications in a table grid.  

• On the far right of your permit application record, you will see an “Actions” listbox.  Click this to view the actions available for your permit application.  Note that you can only edit applications that have a “pending” status.  Once a permit application has been submitted, it cannot be edited.
  

• You can start an application, click on the “Save and Continue” button, and pick up where you left off some other time.  The system will save your progress (as long as oyu click on the “Save and Continue” button.
• You can only edit applications that have a “pending” status.  Once a permit application has been submitted, it cannot be edited. 

Screenshots

• After logging into the external portal, click on the person icon (dropdown menu) on the top right of the screen and select “My AccessDEQ”
• There are three ways you can start a new permit application (they all lead to the same place):
  • Click on the “+” tile from the My AccessDEQ page
  • Click on the “Applications” tile and then on the small “+ Start New Application” button just above the Applications table grid on the top left
  • Click on the Directory menu (under the person icon), and then on a big green “Start Application” button to the right of the permit type you are interested in
• As you progress within the permit application screens, you will see a series of white dots across the top of your screen, from left to right.  These white dots change to filled-in green dots as you visit each page of the permit application.  On the bottom right of each screen, you will see two large green buttons: "Previous" and “Save and Continue”.  Keep moving from screen to screen by clicking on the “Save and Continue” buttons.  Note that you will need to enter required fields before you can proceed to the next screen.

• When you get to the end of the permit application screens, you will see a green “Submit” button.  Click that button to submit your permit application to NCDEQ.  Note that you will have a chance to review your permit application as a completed PDF before submitting it
  

• Select “My AccessDEQ”
• Click on the “Applications” tile.  You will then see your permit applications in a table grid.  

• On the far right of your permit application record, you will see an “Actions” listbox.  Click this to view the actions available for your permit application.  Note that you can only edit applications that have a “pending” status.  Once a permit application has been submitted, it cannot be edited.
  

• You can start an application, click on the “Save and Continue” button, and pick up where you left off some other time.  The system will save your progress (as long as oyu click on the “Save and Continue” button.
• You can only edit applications that have a “pending” status.  Once a permit application has been submitted, it cannot be edited. 

Screenshots