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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. |
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.
Renewal fees are established by the BOC
administrator in your state or region. For more information,
visit your region's BOC Web site, click here for the BOC
national map linking to all the regional BOC Web sites.
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