South Carolina Environmental Certification Board

Guidelines for Water Distribution, Water Treatment, Biological and Physical/Chemical Wastewater Operators:

1. Continuing education must be information that is relevant to water and/or wastewater treatment facilities. Refer to ABC's CE Course Topic Criteria:
• Water Distribution
• Water Treatment
• Wastewater Treatment 
  (Wastewater encompasses both Biological and Physical/Chemical)
2. The instructor or presenter must be able to provide an agenda or outline of the training content.
3. Participants must be able to interact with the instructor or presenter through discussion, telephone, or email.
4. Participants must be able to verify participation with appropriate documentation, i.e. certificate of completion containing appropriate information as outlined above and/or copy of sign-in sheet containing participant's signature.

Guidelines for Bottled Water Operators:

1. Continuing education must be information that is relevant to bottled water operators. Examples of relevant courses include: water treatment system operations; safety; operation and maintenance of equipment; math; water chlorination; and attendance at an International Bottled Water Association meeting or conference.
2. The instructor or presenter must be able to provide an agenda or outline of the training content.
3. Participants must be able to interact with the instructor or presenter through discussion, telephone, or e-mail.
4. Participants must be able to verify participation with appropriate documentation, i.e. certificate of completion containing appropriate information as outlined above and/or copy of sign-in sheet containing participant’s signature.

Guidelines for Well Drillers:

1. Continuing education must be information that is relevant to well drilling or well construction. Examples of relevant courses include: safety; operation and maintenance of equipment; geology; math; engineering; environmental subjects; water chlorination, and attendance at a National or the South Carolina Groundwater Association meeting.
2. The instructor or presenter must be able to provide an agenda or outline of the training content.
3. Participants must be able to interact with the instructor or presenter through discussion, telephone, or email.
4. Participants must be able to verify participation with appropriate documentation, i.e. certificate of completion containing appropriate information as outlined above and/or copy of sign-in sheet containing participant's signature.

CE Reporting Form

1. Does the Board pre-approve courses?
   
   No. The Board does not pre-approve courses. Information regarding course criteria for approval can be found at: /env/ce.aspx.
2. Who is exempt from Continuing Education requirements?
   
   There currently are no exemptions for Continuing Education.
3. I completed a CE course. How do I report it?
   
   Licensees are responsible for tracking their Continuing Education hours and having documentation of those hours for a CE Audit. CE reporting forms can be found at /env/ce.aspx.
   
   After the renewal period, the Board will conduct a random audit for compliance with the CE requirement. If you are selected in the audit, you will be notified by the Board to submit proof of your CE hours.
4. Can I take CE courses in other states and get credit for them?
   
   Yes. CE courses may be taken in states outside South Carolina. The courses must meet the requirements found in Board’s Continuing Education Guidelines for operators to receive credit.

The Board does not pre-approve Continuing Education courses. Providers must be able to:

1. Maintain record of attendance or completion;
2. Be available to interact with attendees or students through discussion, telephone or email;
3. Provide agenda or outline of event for LLR audit review;
4. Retain records of events for a minimum of three years; and
5. Provide appropriate event documentation upon Board request.

Continuing Education Credit WILL NOT be given for:

1. Business and marketing training
2. Membership in a professional society
3. Reading professional publications
4. Regular employment
5. Self-study
6. Personal self-improvement
7. Operating trade show displays
8. Repetitive (refresher) attendance or teaching of the same course
9. First aid, CPR, or defensive driving

Information Required if Audited for Continuing Education by the Board:

1. Name, date, duration of training, and total number of clock hours
2. Name of instructor
3. For multiple-hour courses, break out each course and corresponding CEUs
4. Verification of attendance
5. Outline or agenda of course/event content
6. Completed CE Log Sheet