Training Accreditation

NEEC has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). In obtaining this accreditation, NEEC has demonstrated that it complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard which is recognized internationally as a standard of good practice. As a result of its Authorized Provider status, NEEC is authorized to offer IACET CEUs for its BOC program that qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standard.

The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has approved BOC® classes as continuing education training for LEED® professionals seeking to maintain their credentialing requirements. This meticulous approval process, with extensive reviews from third-party experts, gives the BOC® program excellent exposure to a diverse green workforce.

LEED® Accredited Professionals and LEED® Green Associates need continuing education hours, 30 and 15 respectively, every two years to maintain their LEED-AP and LEED-GA standing. We look forward to providing LEED® professionals with training in this dynamic field of energy-efficient facilities operations.

National Accreditation

BOC is accredited for continuing education by the following organizations:

• The BOMI International accepts BOC classes for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points towards renewal of the professional designations offered by BOMI Institute.
• Building Operator Certification – BOMI International Partnership
  BOC and BOMI offer additional education opportunities for both organizations by awarding competency credit between BOC Level I and II and BOMI International’s Systems Maintenance Technician (SMT) designation. BOC graduates are eligible to receive competency credit for two of the five SMT designation courses.
• NEEC is a recognized Strategic Partner of the International Facilities Management Association, recognizing the BOC training program as a valued resource to provide additional education opportunities for crucial aspects of facility management. To learn more, visit: https://www.ifma.org/professional-development/partner-courses/
• The American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute recognizes BOC classes for continuing education points for the Certified Engineering Operations Executive (CEOE) recertification program.
• The National Association of Power Engineers (NAPE)
• California State University (CSU) and the University of Maine offer continuing education units for completion of BOC classes.
• National School Plant Management Association (NSPMA) members are eligible for training and credentialing opportunities through the BOC program.
• The California State Employees Trades Council (SETC) recognizes BOC as a component of the critical skills bonus plan. Under this agreement, University of California and California State University employers may award a bonus to employees who obtain a BOC certification. See the California State University Collective Bargaining agreement SETC. Click on Article 24 (Salary) and scroll down to Article 24.38.

GSA Contract Holder

Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) is an approved contractor for the General Services Administration and holds a Facilities Maintenance and Management – Schedule 03FAC contract by the procurement arm of the federal government. Federal, State, and local agencies can obtain information about NEEC’s GSA Schedule 03FAC contract services on the GSA Advantage web site at: http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/, (search for Contract Number:GS-21F-093BA) or by contacting NEEC and the BOC program directly at 1-877-850-4793. NEEC’s services are offered under the Special Item Number (SIN) 871-203, Training on Energy Management and the award is effective May 21, 2014 to May 20, 2024.

FBPTA Education and Training Provider

The BOC program is a GSA FBPTA aligned provider; aligning with Facility Management, Operations, Energy Management and other various roles/performances. The Facilities Management Institute (FMI) of the US General Services Administration (GSA) completed a comprehensive review of the Building Operator Certification curriculum and identified several classes that meet the core competencies that building and facility personnel need to perform key job functions and operate high-performance buildings. More information on aligned courses and the FBPTA initiative is available here and on the FMI website.

APEX Award for Education & Training

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council has been selected as a recipient of an APEX Award in the category Print Media – Education & Training by Communications Concepts for the textbook for the Building Operator Certification (BOC) program’s 1008 class Operation & Maintenance Practices for Sustainable Buildings. The textbook was written by a group of Subject Matter Experts and NEEC staff. The content focuses on best practices building operators can employ for  high performance buildings including exterior site issues, water efficiency, cleaning products, material and supply purchasing, energy, and indoor environmental quality to improve the performance of both existing buildings and newly-designed green buildings.

BOC BOMI Partnership

BOC and BOMI (Building Owners and Managers Institute) International recently announced an exciting partnership that will provide additional education opportunities for both organizations by awarding competency credit between BOC Level I and II and BOMI International’s Systems Maintenance Technician (SMT®) and Systems Maintenance Administrator (SMA®) Programs. Learn more.

U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Workforce Accelerator

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council and Smart Buildings Center are a partner in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Better Buildings Workforce Accelerator (BBWA). Officially launched in 2020, this three-year initiative seeks to raise the level of building science and energy efficiency knowledge in the nation’s building-related workforce.

IREC Green Buildings Career Map

BOC is included as a recommended certification in the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)’s Green Buildings Career Map. The career map is a highly interactive tool designed for educators, career-advisors, jobseekers, employers, policymakers, and workforce professionals that explores 55 careers and over 300 possible progression routes between those occupations. Explore it now at www.GreenBuildingsCareerMap.org.

Major Employers

Major employers across the country are sending operators to BOC training for certification. Since 1996, over 20,000 operators have earned BOC certification. Awareness of BOC certification is as high as 45% among employers in many regions. Below is a sample of employers by sector who are participating in BOC.

Government U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, General Services Administration, U.S. Postal Service, Federal Aviation Administration, National Oceanographic Administration, and numerous state facilities Education Over 150 school districts, community colleges, and universities nationwide Municipalities Over 170 municipal and county government facilities, libraries and park & recreation districts Manufacturing Boeing Company, Cisco Systems, Weyerhaeuser Company, Sharp Electronics, Frito Lay, Hewlett Packard, Corning, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, General Electric Hospitality Doubletree Hotels, Ramada Inns, Marriott, Embassy Suites, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Health Care Brigham and Woman’s Hospital, VA Medical Centers, Providence Health System, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Kaiser Permanente Property Management The Irivine Company, ABLE Engineering, Cushman & Wakefield, Melvin Mark Co., Sabey Corporation, K&S Property Management, Equity Office Properties, CB Richard Ellis, Boston Housing Authority Services Fidelity Investments, State Farm Insurance, VISA International Retail Home Depot, Sears, IKEA, Macy’s

Jurisdictions with Mandatory Credential  Requirements

Ohio Public Schools
Rhode Island Schools

Information about city & state policies that recognize BOC training and/or certification as a qualification for overseeing compliance can be found here.

Re-Licensing

Electrician re-licensing is available in Oregon.
Engineering and land surveying re-licensing is also available in Oregon.

Awards

2022 – Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) received a 2022 Honorable Mention Award for an Exemplary Training Organization from the International Accreditors of Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

2020 – Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) named a 2020 ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion winner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

2018 – Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) named a 2018 ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion winner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

2016 – Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) named a 2016 ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency Program Delivery winner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

2014 – Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) named a 2014 ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion winner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

2014 – Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) recognized as IACET Exemplar Training Organization

2012 – Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) named a 2012 ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion winner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

2010 – Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) awarded $549,000 in ARRA funding for Department of Energy project.