NC Continuing Education Requirements: A Complete Guide for Septic & Environmental Professionals
If you work in onsite wastewater, soil science, environmental health, or system operations in North Carolina, keeping up with continuing education (CE) requirements can be confusing. Each licensing board has different renewal cycles, rules, and hour requirements.
This guide breaks down the CE requirements for the major credentials in the septic and environmental industries:
- NCOWCICB (Installers & Inspectors)
- WPCSOCC (Subsurface System Operators)
- REHS (Environmental Health Specialists)
- NC Licensed Soil Scientists
Use this as your go-to reference for staying compliant and avoiding missed renewals.
Looking for a class? Check out our schedule of upcoming Continuing Education classes for Septic Professionals
1. NCOWCICB: Septic Installers, Inspectors, Evaluators and Private Compliance Inspectors
The North Carolina Onsite Wastewater Contractors & Inspectors Certification Board requires annual CE and annual renewal.
Annual CE Requirements
| Certification Type | Hours Required per Year |
|---|---|
| Grade I Installer | 3 hours |
| Grade II Installer | 3 hours |
| Grade III Installer | 6 hours |
| Grade IV Installer | 6 hours |
| Inspector | 6 hours |
| Combo (Installer + Inspector) | 6 hours total |
| PCI (Compliance Inspector) | 12 hours |
| AOWE (Authorized Onsite Wastewater Evaluator) | 12 hours |
Rule for Multiple Certifications
If you hold more than one NCOWCICB certification, you only need to complete the highest CE requirement between them — not the total of all.
Renewal Deadline
- Renewal due November 15
- Certification expires December 31
Septic Professionals: Looking for a class? Check out our schedule of upcoming Continuing Education classes for Septic Professionals
2. WPCSOCC – Subsurface System Operators
Subsurface Operators (O&M Operators) are licensed through the Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification Commission (WPCSOCC).
CE Requirements
- 6 hours of continuing education every year
Renewal Cycle
- Operators renew annually
- CE hours must be completed before renewal is processed
Notes
- Subsurface Operator CE hours must be WPCSOCC-approved, which is different from standard septic CE.
- Classes provided by Onsite Wastewater Professionals meet this requirement.
Subsurface Operators: Looking for a class? Check out our schedule of upcoming Continuing Education classes for Septic Professionals
3. Environmental Health Specialists (REHS)
Environmental Health Specialists are licensed through the NC Board of Environmental Health Specialist Examiners (NCREHSB).
CE Requirements
- 15 hours of approved Continuing Education each calendar year
Renewal Cycle
- CE earned January 1–December 31
- Renewal due December 31
Notes
- Hours must be board-approved. Classes provided by Onsite Wastewater Professionals are approved for NC-REHS.
Register Environmental Health Specialists: Looking for a class? Check out our schedule of upcoming Continuing Education classes for Septic Professionals
4. North Carolina Licensed Soil Scientists (NCBLSS)
Licensed Soil Scientists renew annually through the NC Board for Licensed Soil Scientists.
CE Requirements
- 15 PDHs (Professional Development Hours) each year
Accepted Topics
- Soil science
- Hydrology
- Onsite wastewater
- Field days, workshops, advanced courses
- Regulatory and environmental topics
Renewal Cycle
- PDHs must be earned January 1–December 31
- Renewal due January 1
Classes provided by Onsite Wastewater Professionals meet the requirements for Licensed Soil Scientists in North Carolina.
Soil Scientists: Looking for a class? Check out our schedule of upcoming Continuing Education classes for Septic Professionals
Quick Comparison Chart
| License Type | Hours Required | Renewal Frequency | Renewal Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCOWCICB Installer/Inspector | 3 or 6 hrs | Annual | Nov 15 |
| Subsurface Operator (WPCSOCC) | 6 hrs | Annual | Varies (Typically Summer) |
| REHS | 15 hrs | Annual | Dec 31 |
| Soil Scientist (LSS) | 15 PDHs | Annual | Jan 1 |
Important: Each NC licensing board has different rules for CE approval, and not every course counts toward every certification.
All Onsite Wastewater Professionals classes are approved across all North Carolina boards, including NCOWCICB, WPCSOCC (Subsurface Operators), REHS, and the NC Board of Soil Scientists.
Side Note: Our courses are also approved in South Carolina and Virginia, making them valid for professionals who hold licenses in multiple states.
With OWP, you can take one class and confidently use the hours everywhere you’re licensed.
Final Thoughts
With so many different renewal cycles and CE requirements, staying compliant can feel overwhelming. But with the right classes — and Onsite Wastewater Professionals — you can meet all your CE requirements efficiently without having to sort through complex approval lists.
