Part IV. Continuing Professional Education
18VAC160-30-190. Continuing professional education.
A. Each licensee must have completed the following number of continuing professional education (CPE) contact hours during each renewal cycle. CPE provisions do not apply for the renewal of licenses that were held for less than two years on the date of expiration.
1. Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 waterworks and wastewater works operators must obtain a minimum of 18 contact hours.
2. Class 4 waterworks and wastewater works operators must obtain a minimum of 16 contact hours.
3. Class 5 waterworks operators must obtain a minimum of six contact hours.
4. Class 6 waterworks operators must obtain a minimum of four contact hours.
B. The licensee may request additional time to meet the CPE requirement. However, CPE contact hours completed during a current licensing renewal cycle to satisfy the CPE requirements of the preceding licensing renewal cycle will be valid only for that preceding license renewal cycle and will not be accepted for any subsequent renewal cycles. The grant of any request for additional time to meet the CPE requirement is at the discretion of the board.
C. The licensee will not receive CPE credit for completing the same continuing education course with the same content more than once during a license renewal cycle.
D. A licensee may receive CPE credit for teaching a course that otherwise meets the requirements of this chapter; however, additional credit will not be given for subsequent offerings of a course or activity with the same content within the same renewal cycle. In addition, a licensee may receive four hours of CPE no more than once during a single renewal cycle for the initial development or substantial updating of a CPE course.
E. Safety subjects will not count for more than 25% of the total required CPE hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2301 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 8, eff. January 16, 2026.
18VAC160-30-200. CPE subject matter for waterworks operators.
A. The following course topics will be accepted for CPE credit for waterworks operators:
1. Waterworks operations;
2. Monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting treatment processes and systems, including technology;
3. Operating and maintaining equipment;
4. Security and safety procedures;
5. General science and mathematical principles;
6. Administrative processes and procedures applicable to licensure; and
7. Laws and regulations applicable to the profession.
B. Of the total 18 hours required, a minimum of four contact hours pertaining to utility management is required of Class 1 and Class 2 waterworks operators.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2301 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 8, eff. January 16, 2026.
18VAC160-30-210. CPE subject matter for wastewater works operators.
A. The following course topics will be accepted for CPE credit for wastewater works operators:
1. Wastewater works operations;
2. Monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting treatment processes and systems, including technology;
3. Operating and maintaining equipment;
4. Security and safety procedures;
5. General science and mathematical principles;
6. Administrative processes and procedures applicable to licensure; and
7. Laws and regulations applicable to the profession.
B. Of the total 18 hours required, a minimum of four contact hours pertaining to utility management is required of Class 1 and Class 2 wastewater works operators.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2301 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 8, eff. January 16, 2026.
18VAC160-30-220. Use of training credits and formal education for CPE credit.
Any course approved by the board for substitution as training credits or formal education semester hours, as provided for in Part V (18VAC160-30-240 et seq.) of this chapter, will also be acceptable on an hour-for-hour basis for CPE contact hours. One semester hour of college credit equals 15 CPE contact hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2301 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 8, eff. January 16, 2026.
18VAC160-30-230. Maintenance of CPE.
A. For a period of at least two years following the end of the license renewal cycle for which the CPE was taken, the following evidence must be maintained to document completion of the required hours of CPE:
1. Evidence of completion of a structured training activity, which must consist of the name, address, and contact information of the sponsor;
2. The dates the licensee participated in the training;
3. Description of the subject matter presented; and
4. A statement from the sponsor verifying the number of hours completed.
B. The board may conduct an audit of its licensees to ensure compliance with the applicable CPE requirements. Licensees who are selected for audit must provide the necessary documentation stipulated in this section.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2301 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 8, eff. January 16, 2026.
18VAC160-30-235. Training courses, generally.
In accordance with 18VAC160-30-110, training courses approved by the board may be substituted for experience. All training courses must be approved by the board in accordance with the provisions of this part. Training courses may be delivered in person or using distance, virtual, or online education technology. Training courses may be approved retroactively; however, no applicant will receive credit for the training course until such approval is granted by the board.
1. Up to one training credit will be awarded for each 10 hours of classroom contact time or for each 20 hours of laboratory exercises and field trip contact time. Training credit will not be earned for breaks, meals, or receptions. A training credit awarded is equivalent to one month of experience.
2. Training courses that meet the requirements of 18VAC160-30-280 may be accepted for substitution of experience without approval by the board.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2301 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 8, eff. January 16, 2026.