Designer Qualifications and Resources
The Designer Qualification Program for Applicant Design and Contract Design (AD/CD) pre-qualifies non-SDG&E designers to perform SDG&E gas and/or electric design. The program also provides no-cost access to SDG&E design tools and systems.
About the Designer Qualification Program
Please see our Fact Sheet for specific information about the program.
Applicant Design (AD)
Applicants may select a pre-qualified design contractor to perform distribution line extensions in accordance with the utility's design and construction standards as specified under Rule 15 Gas and Electric Tariffs.
Contract Design (CD)
The utility may choose to hire an external contract firm who has pre-qualified designers to perform gas and electric design normally performed by the utility. The contracted firm may also subcontract with firms having pre-qualified designers.
Interested applicants may enroll in one or more of the four design disciplines:
- Overhead Electric
- Underground Electric
- Gas
- Transformer Vault
How to Become a Qualified Designer (AD/CD)
Starting 2025, the DQP team is implementing a new process for applicants to become Qualified Designers. The intent is to streamline and simplify the process for becoming qualified. Moving forward exams will be held in person at SDG&E Century Park East, with no remote options at this time.
For New Applicants and Existing Applicants:
- The qualification process will be the same for New Applicants and Existing Applicants. Supplemental Design Exams are no longer being administered, all applicants must pass the DQP Exam.
- Pass a DQP Exam within one of the four disciplines (Overhead Electric, Underground Electric, Gas, or Transformer Vault) to become a Qualified Designer within the given discipline.
- A DQP Exam in one of the four disciplines includes standards/manuals related questions and design related questions.
- Upon passing the DQP Exam, the applicant will be qualified within that discipline.
- The Transformer Vault exam will be available after a passing grade is received on the Underground Electric exam.
Notes:
- If an applicant does not pass an exam, they will be required to wait three months to register for another exam in that discipline. This applies to all exams.
- It is the responsibility of the designer’s company to provide training for the exam. The Designer Qualification Program will provide information needed such as manuals, standards, and calculators.
- Design applicants who have ICUE access but are not yet Qualified will have until the end of September 2025 to register and pass an exam to keep ICUE access (per discipline). Otherwise, ICUE access will be revoked at the end September 2025 until the applicant passes the DQP Exam. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
How to Register for the Exam
To register for a DQP Exam, use the form below.
Please note, exam registration closes on Monday a week before the exam.
Resources
We've created a self-service hub for all the information and resources you'll need to pass the exams.
Electric Manuals
Design Tools
Pre-Exam Video
Firms interested in Contract Design work with SDG&E
To be eligible for contract design work with SDG&E, your firm must:
- Be a signatory to a design contract with SDG&E
- Have at least one qualified designer or enrollee on staff
Please note: If your firm is interested in performing contract work, please coordinate with Supply Management and the business units you wish to support.
- Subcontractors may not be onboarded under the prime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you must have passed a test for at least one of the disciplines; overhead electric, underground electric, gas or transformer vault. You can then perform SDG&E design work for the disciplines you've passed.
Email the Designer Qualification Program at [email protected]
To register for a DQP Exam use the form below.
Please note, exam registration closes on Monday a week before the exam.
Request access to the DQP Design Portal to register for upcoming exams, view exam results and more.