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Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

CEU Requirements

Operators are required to maintain their knowledge and skills through the acquisition of continuing education units, or CEUs, within each certification period.

  • A minimum of eighty percent (16 hours or 1.6 CEUs) must meet the requirements outlined in the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) Need-to-Know criteria.
  • The remaining twenty percent (4 hours or .4 CEUs) are discretionary, and may include any general training, including topics not included in the ABC Need-to-Know Criteria.

Operators are encouraged to work with their supervisors to select training that meets the specific needs of their water systems as well as their own professional development goals.

CEU Audit

You will no longer be submitting Continuing Education Unit (CEU) documentation with your renewal, you will be submitting a PDF iconCEU self certification form. You will sign an affidavit on your renewal application that you have completed 2.0 CEUs within the 2 year certification period. 

In March of each year, up to 25% of certified operators will be selected for audit of their CEUs. Selected operators will receive notice by postcard, and will then have 30 days to submit their training documentation for review. Acceptable documentation includes agendas, attendance and completion certificates, along with receipts for registration and payment at short schools and similar training events.

More information can be found on the CEU Audit webpage. 

Oregon Environmental Services Advisory Council (OESAC)

OESAC regularly reviews conferences and training classes, and awards CEUs to those offerings that are suitable for our profession. A list of these classes with pre-approved CEUs is maintained at the OESAC website. OESAC works to further technology education in the State of Oregon, particularly in known environmental arenas such a water supply operators, wastewater operators, hazardous wastes technicians and other environmental media technicians as needs arise. Their mission is to accomplish this through cooperative efforts among community colleges, professional organizations, adjacent States, public entities and private training units.

  • Operators are encouraged to select training with CEUs pre-assigned by OESAC to ensure the training selected will result in creditable CEUs for the operator.
  • If the training you are interested in has not been pre-reviewed by OESAC, DWS recommends that you submit the course description, agenda, and related materials to the Op Cert program for review prior to attending. While you are not required to do so, CEUs will not be awarded for attending a training class that does not meet Oregon's CEU standards.

More Resources

  • PDF iconCEU policy 
  • PDF iconABC Need-to-Know - Distribution
  • PDF iconABC Need-to-Know - Treatment
  • CEU Plan offers online drinking water treatment courses. To register for these courses, visit the website and select the "Drinking Water Operator" license group.