CEU Requirements

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

To remain certified, the operator must be active in each field in which they hold certification. Positions such as management/supervisor, instructor, inspector, etc. in the water/wastewater profession are considered as being active in the field.

To continue to qualify for certification, an operator must participate in education and training that advances their skills and knowledge for the operation and maintenance of their systems. In every three-year re-certification cycle, operators must accrue a specific number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs), depending on their level of certification, and submit their application, along with the appropriate certificates, to the FNOCC for recertification.

One hour of training equates to 0.1 CEU.

• A Small Systems Operator requires 1.5 CEU per recertification cycle (3 years)
• A Class 1 Operator requires 2.4 CEU per recertification cycle (3 years)
• A Class 2 Operator requires 2.4 CEU per recertification cycle (3 years)
• A Class 3 Operator requires 2.4 CEU per recertification cycle (3 years)

Approved CEUs are available from several sources and organizations. A comprehensive list can be found through SK OCB (www.saskocb.ca). CEUs specific to First Nations water systems can be found on the SFNWA website (https://sfnwa.ca/ceu-classes) or through the SFNWA Learning Management System (https://learn.sfnwa.ca). Additional CEU hours accumulated beyond what is required for a specific certification level cannot be carried over into the next three-year recertification cycle.

To ensure their certification is maintained, operators must submit verification of the CEUs attained by completing the Certification Renewal Form and providing copies of the CEU certificates in which they participated.

The CEU renewal deadline will follow a three-year cycle congruent with the original certification date. All renewal documentation should be submitted at least one month prior to the certification deadline.

Continuing Education Unit Specifics

Criteria for CEU Acceptance

Courses accepted for CEUs shall meet the following criteria:

1. Attendance recorded by training provider
2. Formal certificate or completion letter by the training provider
3. Students complete some form of evaluation (test, practical demonstration, verbal confirmation)
4. Content of course is linked to FNOCC (SFNWA’s customized exams) Need-to-Know Criteria and FNOCC relevancy/approved topics lists
5. Learning objectives completed
6. Course evaluation forms completed
7. Instructors meet certain criteria (experience or other)

Water and wastewater industry conferences or workshops may be exempt from some or all of these criteria.

Determination of CEU Value

One (1.0) CEU shall equal 10 contact hours of participation in organized continuing education/training experience under the direction of a responsible, qualified instructor. Breaks and non-supervised or organized activities that do not meet the CEU acceptance criteria will not count towards the CEU value. A maximum of 0.7 CEUs can be issued for each full day of training.

Course Auditing

CEU courses will be audited by the FNOCC according to the criteria listed above. Course evaluation forms are to be submitted to the FNOCC through the organization website.

Acceptance of Training Completed Out of Province

Courses approved by other provinces/territories following these best practices shall be accepted at the same CEU value (subject to the same restrictions which may apply for similar training in that province or territory).

Stipulations

The FNOCC does not award CEUs for the following:

• Mass media programs that are not part of an educational program
• On-the-job training, apprenticeships and work experience
• Writing or presenting articles or research papers
• Association nomination and election sessions
• Work related staff and committee meetings
• Association business meetings and reports
• Announcements and welcoming speeches
• Self-directed study without verification
• Assigned reading and study time
• Entertainment and recreation
• Trade shows and exhibitions
• Coffee and meal breaks
• Tours and travel time
• Report writing

A minimum of 75 percent of training taken by an operator must be on core subject matter related to the operation and maintenance of the water system for which the certification was issued. Up to 25 percent will be on related knowledge and skills such as management, safety, etc. not directly related to operations.

Mandatory safety training courses (WHMIS, TDG, First Aid, Confined Space, etc.) can be used for continuing education units (CEUs) for renewal of certification, but only up to 25 percent of required CEUs.

Training will only be accepted if the operator successfully completes or passes the course. Courses taken more than once (including safety training) shall only be approved once per renewal period.