> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://news.owpnc.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # NC Continuing Education Requirements: A Complete Guide for Septic & Environmental Professionals - URL: https://news.owpnc.com/nc-continuing-education-requirements-a-complete-guide-for-septic-environmental-professionals/ - Published: 2025-11-15T22:22:41.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-15T22:29:27.000Z - Author: Onsite - Tags: Education 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. ONSITE WASTEWATER PROFESSIONALS [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d9/bd/d9bd19a7-de29-40bd-a503-5e9344871267/content/images/2025/11/Onsite-5.png)](http://register.owpnc.com/?ref=news.owpnc.com) Looking for a class? Check out our schedule of upcoming Continuing Education classes for Septic Professionals [Upcoming Classes ](http://register.owpnc.com/?ref=news.owpnc.com) ## 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** ONSITE WASTEWATER PROFESSIONALS [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d9/bd/d9bd19a7-de29-40bd-a503-5e9344871267/content/images/2025/11/Onsite-5.png)](http://register.owpnc.com/?ref=news.owpnc.com) ****Septic Professionals:** Looking for a class? Check out our schedule of upcoming Continuing Education classes for Septic Professionals [Upcoming Classes ](http://register.owpnc.com/?ref=news.owpnc.com) ## 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](http://www.owpnc.com/?ref=news.owpnc.com) meet this requirement. ONSITE WASTEWATER PROFESSIONALS [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d9/bd/d9bd19a7-de29-40bd-a503-5e9344871267/content/images/2025/11/Onsite-5.png)](http://register.owpnc.com/?ref=news.owpnc.com) ****Subsurface Operators:** Looking for a class? Check out our schedule of upcoming Continuing Education classes for Septic Professionals [Upcoming Classes ](http://register.owpnc.com/?ref=news.owpnc.com) ## 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. ONSITE WASTEWATER PROFESSIONALS [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d9/bd/d9bd19a7-de29-40bd-a503-5e9344871267/content/images/2025/11/Onsite-5.png)](http://register.owpnc.com/?ref=news.owpnc.com) ****Register Environmental Health Specialists**: Looking for a class? Check out our schedule of upcoming Continuing Education classes for Septic Professionals [Upcoming Classes ](http://register.owpnc.com/?ref=news.owpnc.com) ## 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. ONSITE WASTEWATER PROFESSIONALS [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d9/bd/d9bd19a7-de29-40bd-a503-5e9344871267/content/images/2025/11/Onsite-5.png)](http://register.owpnc.com/?ref=news.owpnc.com) Soil Scientists: Looking for a class? Check out our schedule of upcoming Continuing Education classes for Septic Professionals [Upcoming Classes ](http://register.owpnc.com/?ref=news.owpnc.com) ## 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.