How much does BOC training cost?
To find out the price for a specific course, please visit our find training page to locate a training near you. Pricing details are given on subsequent registration pages. You may also contact the BOC Help Desk for more information regarding cost of courses.
Who are the instructors?
Each BOC class in a series is taught by an instructor who specializes in that subject. BOC instructors are industry experts in facility maintenance and operation. They are skilled educators with an average of 10 years of instruction experience in the workplace. All BOC instructors are evaluated by the students and are consistently ranked “very good to excellent.”
Where and when are the trainings held?
BOC trainings are scheduled in a variety of locations in over 36 states year-to-year to minimize travel time for participants. Visit our find training page for the course series site nearest to you.
What will be my time commitment necessary for study and out-of-class projects?
Level I: The total time commitment is 74 hours. It is comprised of 56 hours of classroom training and open-book tests, and 18 hours of project assignments completed at your home-facility. The classroom training and project work is scheduled over a period of 4 to 7 months.
Level II: The total time commitment is 61 hours. It is comprised of 49 hours of classroom training and open-book tests, and 12 hours of project assignments completed at your home facility. The classroom training and project work is scheduled over a period of 4 to 6 months.
What do I need in order to complete the Level II Project assignments?
You will need information about your building’s general characteristics such as square footage and operating hours, HVAC equipment, lighting, and controls systems. It is your responsibility to obtain this information from sources within your company or organization. You will also need computer access to a free, online tool called ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® to complete the energy consumption profile for your building. The following information is required.
- Twelve (12) months of utility consumption data for the building. This includes data for all fuels used in the building (e.g., electricity, natural gas, steam, etc.) and access to 12 months of utility bills for all meters in the building.
- General information about building occupancy schedules, lighting system equipment and controls, and miscellaneous office equipment.
- Descriptive information about plant equipment (e.g., chillers, boilers, cooling towers), air systems (e.g., air handlers, package units, terminal units), domestic hot water systems, and pumps in the building. Descriptive information includes the number of units, size, motor HP, control system and operating hours.
- Descriptive information for one air handler of your selection in the building. Information you will need includes the system type, area served, weekly operating hours, and cooling and heating set points for the air handler.
See Level II Project Requirements FAQ for more information.
How long do I have to complete coursework prior to applying for the BOC Training Certificate of Completion?
We encourage you to complete your coursework within the scheduled period of the course which is 4 to 7 months depending on the location. If you need additional time, please notify the BOC training provider. You will have 5 years from the ending date of the course in which you enrolled to apply for the BOC Training Certificate of Completion (TCOC). [EXAMPLE: If the course ended on Nov 1, 2017, you will have until October 31, 2022 to complete the required coursework and apply for BOC TCOC.] After that time, you’ll be required to register for and attend a second full course series prior to applying for your BOC TCOC.
Is the BOC training accredited?
Who is sending employees to the BOC training?
Major employers across the country send operators to BOC training. Since 1996, over 17,000 operators have earned BOC credentials. Awareness of BOC training is as high as 45% among employers in many regions and is utilized as a key staff training tool for professional development.
What credential do I earn after completing the Level I or II training program?
You earn a Training Certificate of Completion (TCOC). This certificate indicates that an individual has successfully completed a BOC Level I or Level II training program and has acquired specific knowledge, skills, and/or competencies that can be used on the job. Assessments (tests and projects) are used to evaluate mastery of BOC course learning outcomes.
What material do I receive when I earn the BOC Training Certificate of Completion?
You will receive a letter acknowledging your credential, a wallet card indicating your credential, a subscription to the BOC newsletter, and a discount off the BOC webinar series.
What value does the Training Certificate of Completion have?
The Training Certificate of Completion indicates that an individual has successfully completed BOC Level I or II training program and has acquired specific knowledge, skills, and/or competencies. Assessments (tests and projects) are used to evaluate mastery of BOC course learning outcomes. Additionally, some city and state policies recognize BOC training and/or certification as a qualification for overseeing various compliance requirements. To learn more, see our Policy Compliance page.
How do I reflect my credential on business correspondence?
Once you've successfully completed the BOC Level I or Level II training program and earned the Training Certificate of Completion, you should indicate your credential by using the “BOC I” or “BOC II” title.
What value does the BOC Certification have?
The Certification indicates that individuals have passed the Certification Exam and have competence in critical job knowledge, skills and abilities, as outlined in the exam blueprint. The Certification program is aligned with an internationally recognized training standard (ISO 17024) which is recognized and valued by employers (and provides assurance for employers that BOC Certification is a valid and verified assessment of knowledge and skills in energy efficient building operation). Additionally, some city and state policies recognize BOC training and/or certification as a qualification for overseeing various compliance requirements. To learn more, see our Policy Compliance page.
How do I reflect my Certification credential on business correspondence?
Individuals who successfully pass the BOC Certification examination may use the designation “Certified Building Operator (CBO)” after their name in signatures on email, business cards, and other professional correspondence.
The BOC logo is not to be used for these purposes.
What material do I receive when I earn the Certification?
You will receive a certificate, a pin or patch with the BOC Certification title on it, a wallet card indicating your credential, a subscription to the BOC newsletter, and a discount off the BOC webinar series.
Is there a Level II Certification?
There is not a certification for Level II at this time. Students successfully completing the Level II training course will earn a Level II Training Certificate of Completion.
How long is the exam and what is the passing score?
It is 120 questions, you must score 67% to pass. You will have 3 hours to take the exam. More information about test administration rules are included in the candidate handbook.
Is the exam open book?
No, it is not open book but a calculator is available on the screen during the test.
What will the exam cover? How do I prepare for the exam?
We encourage you to review the BOC Certification Exam blueprint to understand what topics the Exam will cover. The BOC Level I training and your on the job experience is good preparation for the Exam. In addition, BOC offers many exam preparation materials including Certification Exam prep webinars, Recommended Reading lists, and a Test Taking Tips webcast.
What is the refund policy for the exam?
Students currently enrolled in a BOC Level I course may cancel their examination registration within 14 days of the last class date and receive a full refund, minus a $50 processing fee. For individuals who register for the examination outside of the course, exams may be rescheduled at no penalty. Refunds are not available after the examination has been scheduled. Please contact the BOC Help Desk.
How much does it cost to take the exam?
$285. Once you have registered and paid for the exam, your registration does not expire and you can sit for the exam at any time in the future.
How will I find out about my results?
You will be notified of the examination results within 15 business days of the test administration.
What if I fail the exam? Can I take it again?
If you fail the exam, you can take it again. NEEC requires a waiting period of at least 30 days between each attempt to pass the exam. You must pay the examination fee of $285 each time you take the exam.
Where can I take the exam?
Do I need to maintain my credential?
Yes. Both Training Certificates of Completion and the Certification require annual maintenance. Level I TCOC or the BOC Certification require 5 maintenance points a year and a $75 application fee . The Level II TCOC requires 10 maintenance points and a $75 application fee. Information will be emailed and mailed to you from NEEC the January of the year you are due for maintenance. If you maintain your Level II credential and also hold a Level I TCOC or Certification, that credential will automatically be renewed with no additional points or fee required. Your credential (TCOC or Certification) is valid for a full calendar year after you earn it.
How will I know it’s time to submit my maintenance application?
In January of the year that your credential expires, the BOC office will notify you, both in hard copy form and via email, that you need to submit a maintenance application. You will have until the last business day of March to complete and return the application. You will also receive a reminder email in early March if the BOC office has not received your renewal application.
How do I earn maintenance points?
We provide several options for earning maintenance points. See the BOC Maintenance Activities & Points Earned Chart.
If no professional development training is available in my area, what are my options for earning maintenance points?
There are several options, here are just a few:
Enroll in a BOC web-based technical webinar. Earn 1.5 maintenance points after successfully completing the webinar and taking the quiz. Each BOC Bulletin also provides a technical article and quiz. You will earn one maintenance point for each newsletter quiz completed.
You can earn up to 11 maintenance points 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.
If I have a Level II credential, do I need to apply to maintain my Level I credential as well?
You must maintain your Level I credential until the first time you maintain Level II. At that point, maintaining Level II will also keep your Level I credential or Certification current. Both Levels (and Certification, if applicable) are maintained together, with a single application and one $75 fee. EXAMPLE: - Your Level I credential expires March 31, 2022 and your Level II credential expires March 31, 2023 – In 2022, complete the maintenance process for Level I– your new expiration date will be 2023. – In 2023, complete the maintenance process for Level II. – Your expiration date for both levels will now be March 31, 2024. - Each year going forward, complete the maintenance process for Level II, and Level I will also stay current. This will ensure that both credentials are in good standing at all times. If you also hold the BOC Certification, that credential will be maintained as well.
What is the annual maintenance fee?
There is one fee for all credentials. The Maintenance Fee is $75. Applications submitted after the maintenance processing deadline of March 31st (or the last business day in March) will incur a late fee of $25. Those received after June 30th will be charged a $50 late fee.
When does my credential first expire?
In March of the second year after the credential has been awarded. For example, if you earned your credential in any month of 2022, your certification will expire in March 2024 and you will need to apply for maintenance at that time. Thereafter, your maintenance application is due annually in March.
If my Training Certificate of Completion (TCOC) lapses, after how long can I renew it?
If your TCOC has been lapsed for five years or less, you can bring it to current status by submitting a credential maintenance application with proof of needed continuing education and fees for the amount of time it was lapsed. Contact the BOC Help Desk if you have questions about your credential’s standing. If you have completed your BOC Level I at any point, you are eligible to sit for the Certification Exam to earn the BOC Certification credential. If your TCOC credential has lapsed for more than five years, you must successfully complete the training course to bring your training certificate credential up to date. This includes registration, payment, and successful completion of all training requirements.
