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Maintaining Certification
BOC Certification Maintenance and Renewal
The continuing education of building operators improves their
ability to cope with changing technologies, equipment, and practices.
To remain certified, a building operator must accumulate re-certification
hours. Five (5) hours per year are required for Level I, and 10
hours per year for Level II.
Frequently asked questions
Activities and hours earned chart
Renewal fees
Continuing education
opportunities
Renewal Due Date
Renewal notices are issued annually in January for re-certification.
The notice includes an application form to complete and return
with the required documentation and payment. Renewal application
forms must be received by March 31.
To avoid delays, it is important to provide a completed application
and supporting documentation of the hours required for renewal.
Payment or a purchase order should be enclosed with the application.
Incomplete applications delay processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
about Renewal of BOC Certification
Why should I renew my BOC certification?
- Certification demonstrates your commitment to the profession.
Over 75 percent of employers interviewed see BOC certification
as a positive factor when reviewing resumes.
- BOC graduates believe certification confers credibility. Over
90 percent believe it improves job performance, and most plan
to put BOC on their resume.
- Awareness of BOC is growing nationally. Training is available
in twenty states and over 5,000 operators hold BOC certification
nationally. This makes the BOC credential more valuable and more
widely recognized by employers.
- BOC certification is accredited for electrician re-licensing
in Washington and Oregon. It is also registered with BOMI, IFMA,
and the Hotel and Lodging Institute for continuing education
points for their designations.
Building Operator Certification States — 2008
Key: BOC State (solid)
If my certification has expired, can I still renew?
Yes, you can renew within five years of an expired certification.
To qualify, you must report sufficient hours of continuing education
to cover the lapsed years. For example, if you are renewing a Level
I certification, you need 5 hours per year. If your certification
has expired for two years, you would need to show 5 hours for each
of the two expired years, for a total of 10 hours of continuing
education. To renew, complete the Certification Renewal Application
form.
How do I find out about continuing education opportunities
in my area?
The BOC Bulletin provides a list of continuing education
classes, conferences and trade show events in each issue; it is
mailed to BOC graduates twice a year. You may also find training
sessions in your area by contacting technical colleges and your
electric and gas utility conservation departments. In-house training
at your company qualifies if it is related to the field of facility
operations and maintenance.
If no training is available in my area, what are my options
for earning continuing education hours?
There are several options:
- The BOC Bulletin also provides a technical article
and written quiz. You will earn one hour of continuing education
for each quiz completed and submitted to the BOC office.
- You can earn up to eleven hours of continuing education for
completion of a special project to improve facility operation,
maintenance, and/or energy efficiency in your company or organization.
Examples of such projects include an upgrade of a lighting system,
set up of a new control system, an HVAC system operational review,
an indoor air quality assessment, a retro-commissioning project,
replacement of older equipment with new energy efficient model
(e.g., motors), and more.
For additional continuing education opportunities,
click here.
I do not have sufficient hours to renew my certification.
If I cannot make the certification renewal deadline, can I get
an extension?
Yes. Please contact Amy Price, BOC Renewal and Certification Administrator
to request an extension. Call 407-256-2757, or email: APrice4670@aol.com
Does BOC Level II supercede Level I?
No. BOC Level I and Level II are two different and distinct certifications,
and one does not supercede the other. Level I is a certification
in Building Systems Maintenance which focuses on a broad understanding
of the types of systems and equipment in the building (e.g., electrical,
HVAC and lighting) and how they should operate. Level II is a certification
in Equipment Troubleshooting and Maintenance which focuses its
core study on analysis and diagnostics of two primary systems in
the building – electrical and HVAC.
If I’ve earned both Level I and II certification,
should I continue to renew each?
Most operators opt to renew both certifications since much time
went into earning each. For Level I, operators typically spend
80 hours of study and project work; for Level II, 60 hours. NEEC
offers a discounted “combo” renewal rate of $85 for
renewing both certifications (for a $25 savings per year).
Is Level I certification required before studying for
Level II certification?
Level II certification requires more advanced knowledge and skills
than Level I. Level I certification or equivalent education and
training is recommended though not required, for Level II certification.
Applicants for Level II certification must have one of the following:
- a technical degree and three years of experience working
in operations and maintenance of a commercial or institutional
facility,
OR
- a union membership at journey level and three years of experience,
OR
- BOC Level I certification and four years of experience.
When am I due to renew?
In January of the third year after certification has been awarded.
For example, if you earned certification in any month of 2007,
your certificate would be due for renewal in January, 2009. Thereafter,
renewal is annual in January.
When should I start accruing continuing education hours?
Do I need to accrue CEUs?
In the second year after certification has been awarded. For example,
if you earned certification in any month of 2007, you would need
to start accruing continuing education hours throughout 2008. Every
hour of attendance in training is equivalent to one hour of continuing
education. You do not need to earn CEU’s though they are
accepted towards renewal.
How will I know it's time to renew?
Your expiration date is listed on your wallet card. In each January
that your certification expires, you will receive a renewal notice
and application from the BOC office. You will have until March
31 to complete and return the application. You will receive a reminder
email in early March if the BOC office has not received your renewal
application.
Which classes qualify for continuing education hours?
How do I document the information?
Classes in the topics of building management, operation & maintenance,
and energy management will qualify for continuing education hours
towards BOC renewal. Keep a copy of a certificate or any other
proof of attendance from the class and send copies along with your
renewal application.
How will I know my certificate has been renewed? How long
will the process take?
You will receive a confirmation letter and new wallet card with
the new expiration date. Please allow up to 45 days for processing.
Your payment will be processed following issue of the renewal letter.
How do I obtain a receipt for payment if I’ve paid
by credit card?
A receipt of the credit card charge will be e-mailed to the cardholder
(if their email address is provided) or to the student.
Activities and Points
Earned for BOC Re-certification
Activities
and Points Earned |
Documentation
Required |
I. Employment |
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A. Full-time employment
in facilities profession. Earn 2 hours of continuing education
for each year of continuous employment. |
Provide an overview of primary job responsibilities. |
II. Continuing
Education: |
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A. Attend and complete
continuing education/training in building management, operation & maintenance,
or energy management topics. Earn equivalent hours of continuing
education for each hour of course time. |
List event name, school or organization,
date, training summary and hours of attendance |
B. Complete and submit
a quiz from the BOC newsletter. Earn 1 hour of continuing
education. |
Provide article name. |
C. Completion of special
projects to improve facility operation, maintenance, and/or
energy efficiency in your company or organization; or awards
received for resource efficient building operations. Earn
up to 11 hours of continuing education for each hour of
project time. (How to submit project work is outlined
below. |
Brief written summary of special projects
completed and/or proof of receipt of relevant awards. |
D. Completion of an
energy consumption benchmark for the previous 12 month
period using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager or alternative
energy accounting tool. Earn 3 hours of continuing education
for each benchmark.. |
Copy of benchmark documentation (e.g.,
Statement of Energy Performance from ENERGY STAR Portfolio
Manager). |
E. Enroll in a BOC
Web based technical webinar. Earn 1.5 Hours of continuing
education after successfully completing the webinar and
taking the quiz.
For available BOC
Webinars, please click here (links to National
BOC Web site). |
Provide webinar name and date. |
III. Professional
Involvement: |
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A. Membership
in facility or trades organization. Earn 1 hours of continuing
education for each year of membership. |
List association
name, date of subscription or renewal. |
B. Holding a leadership
position with a facility or trades organization. Earn 2
hours of continuing education for each year of office held. |
Summarize activities. |
C. Awards received involving
resource efficient operations. Earn 2 hours of continuing
education for each award earned. |
Summarize award information. |
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Energy Efficiency Project Description
To have your project work be considered for continuing education
hours for BOC renewal, please write a short summary (1 page or
less) of the project which includes the following information.
Submit the summary on the Project
Description Form (PDF) OR Microsoft
Word file.
Submit the completed Project Description Form along with your
BOC Renewal Application to NEEC on or before the renewal due date.
Do not submit the Project Description Form separately from the
renewal application.
Renewal Fees
Renewal Fees are payable by check/purchase order or credit card
(Visa, Mastercard or American Express). The fee includes an up-to-date
BOC wallet card, an individual subscription to the BOC newsletter,
and quarterly notices of training and continuing education in your
area.
Certification Renewal
Level I: $55
Level II: $55
Level I & II: $85
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