1. Occupational Licensing TCEQ
TCEQ, Occupational Licensing, Preparing for a Training Program Audit. Presented by Linda Saladino
TCEQ
Occupational
Licensing
Approved Training
Provider Responsibilities
Linda Saladino
Occupational Licensing

2. Overview and Purpose TCEQ Training Rules & Regulations
TCEQ Regulatory Guidance for
Approved Training: RG-373
Provider Responsibilities
Summary and Recap

3. TCEQ Rules and Regulations
■ backflow prevention assembly testers ■ customer service inspectors ■ landscape irrigators, technicians, and inspectors ■ leaking petroleum storage tank corrective action project managers ■ municipal solid waste facility supervisors ■ on-site sewage facility installers, site evaluators, maintenance providers, and designated representatives ■ public water system operators ■ underground storage tank on-site supervisors ■ visible emission evaluators ■ wastewater & collection system operators ■ water treatment specialists

4. TCEQ Rules and Regulations
Training approval added to Rules in 2007
Title 30, Part 1, Texas Administrative Code (TAC)
Definitions –30 TAC §30.7
Approval of Training – 30 TAC §30.28
Image: screenshot of TAC code

5. Regulatory Guidance Approval of Training for Occupational Licensing
RG-373: TCEQ
Regulatory Guidance
Approval of
Training for
Occupational
Licensing
Image: cover of RG

6. Providers Responsibilities
Training Providers Shall…
Follow the requirements listed in 30 TAC §30.28 (i).
Be responsible for content and delivery of the training.
If substantial changes are made - submit to the TCEQ.
Summary list
Highlight changes
Other method showing what was changed
Image: statue holding papers

7. Providers Responsibilities
Training Material Retention
Keep manuals and training content updated to reflect rule changes.
Resubmit to TCEQ for review the updated training within 180 days of a new rule adoption.
Retain accurate training records for a minimum of 5 years.
Can be electronic
Must be able to verify student completion of training

8. Providers Responsibilities
Training Material Retention (continued)
Maintain records of approval for the entire time actively providing training!
TCEQ approval letters
Instructor/proctor qualifications
Training materials developed for
the training
Lesson plans, manuals, agendas
Image: filing cabinet

9. Providers Responsibilities
Training References
Obtain permission to use copyrighted materials & information.
Reference sources of material/information used in training.

10. Providers Responsibilities
Training Fees
Notify students of all fees up front before enrollment!
Fee for….
certificate?
reporting?
retesting?
membership?
software?
Image: dollar sign

11. Providers Responsibilities
Qualified Instructors
Ensure classroom instructors are qualified & listed with TCEQ :
1990’s instructor “approvals” need to be re-evaluated
Meet current requirements
Valid, appropriate license
60 hours instructional exp.
3 yrs. Hands-on exp
Contact TCEQ for instructor qualification applications

12. Providers Responsibilities
Subject Matter Experts
Presenters/Distance Training Assistance & Developers must be Subject Matter Experts. Who is an SME? A person having a minimum of three years of work-related experience or expert knowledge in a particular content area related to the training topic.
Image: picture of Einstein

13. Providers Responsibilities
Training Environment
No promotion of products or services for:
Manufacturers;
Distributors; or
Service providers.
Training location and atmosphere should be conducive to learning.
Must not be held in a place of business of a product manufacturer, distributor, or service provider directly related to the occupational license.
Image: car salesman

14. Providers Responsibilities
No alcohol consumption, obscenities, heckling, or other distractions during training.
Image: staff not following TCEQ rules

15. Providers Responsibilities
Training Credits
Clearly & accurately present and advertise CE credits.
Approved program credits ex. Water, Irrigation, etc.
Training credit hours available for all parts of the training.
Inform licensees that distance learning training repeated within the renewal period will not receive training credit
Notice on web page
Prior to enrolling in training
Do not report the training
Can take training-not for continuing education hours

16. Providers Responsibilities
Reporting Training
Verify participation and report only the participant’s training credit hours successfully completed.
Attendance alone does not automatically constitute submittal of training hours.
If someone is disruptive, sleeps, is reading the newspaper, or otherwise not a part of the training – their hours DO NOT have to be reported.
Imagine: student not paying attention in class.

17. Providers Responsibilities
Reporting Training (continued)
Verify participation and report the participant's training credit hours not to exceed approved hours
Provide roster & hours to TCEQ within 14 business days
Image: screenshot of TCEQ online reporting of CE

18. Providers Responsibilities
Training Audits
Allow agency staff access to training to:
Audit training content;
Manner of presentation; and
Instructor effectiveness
& qualifications
What you do, as the training provider,
may result in rescinding, denying, or
suspending training approval.
Image: audit books

19. Summary and Recap Takeaways
Keep training content updated to reflect rule changes.
Be responsible for the content and delivery of the training.
Retain accurate training records for a minimum of five years and training approval records “forever”.
Notify students of all fees associated with completing and obtaining credit for training before and during the training.

20. Summary and Recap Takeaways (continued)
Delivering the training as approved
Verify hours successfully completed
Use only qualified instructors and SMEs
Allow TCEQ access to audit training
Obtain permission to use copyrighted info
Report only completed hrs timely-14 days
No promotion of products or services

21. Summary and Recap Be a role model for your students. Final Thoughts
Demonstrate high standards of conduct.
Do not discriminate against, embarrass, or harass stu dents.
Respect students’ gender, age, race, national origin, religion, socioeconomic circumstances or disability.
Display a high level of sensitivity to members’ learning styles and needs.
Be sure any guest presenters, subject matter experts, instructors meet these standards also.
Be a role model for your students.

22. Contact
Linda Saladino Training Specialist Phone:
Image: TCEQ logo