Process
Candidates have four years from the enrollment date in which to complete the EE Certification program. Candidates may count previous workshops and experiences that have occurred during the past one year prior to enrollment. Go here for more information on how to enroll.
Portfolio
Enrollees in the program will begin developing an online portfolio that will include documentation of participation for each of the following Criteria:
Criteria I: Instructional Workshops - Total of 70 hours.
Criteria II:
Outdoor Instructor-led Experiences - Total of 50 hours.
Criteria III: Knowledge of Environmental Education Resources and Facilities - Total of 30 hours.
Criteria IV: Teaching Experiences. Total of 30 hours. Document hours directly to your online account.
Criteria V: Community Partnership Project . Total of 20 hours. Document hours directly to your online account.
*Note: Criteria I-III can be documented with a Form B which then can be emailed to eecertificationnc@lists.ncmail.net , faxed to (919) 715-5161 or mailed to the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs, 1609 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-1609.
We strongly recommend that enrollees keep copies (hardcopy and/or scanned copies) of their Form Bs for their own backup records.
Continuing Education
Once educators earn their certification, they are required to complete fifty hours of Continuing Education (CE) every five years in order to maintain an active status within the program. Once submitted and approved, the educator’s certification will be renewed and certification will remain active for the next five years.
The first five-year renewal cycle begins the day of the individual’s official certification date. For example, if Jane Smith was certified on 1/1/2012, she has until 1/1/2017 to complete her fifty hours of continuing education credits. Her next renewal cycle would begin on 1/1/2017 and end 1/1/2022.
Those certified prior to January 1, 2009 when the continuing education requirement began have 5 years from that date (until January 1, 2014) to complete 50 hours of Continuing Education.
Anything that counts as Certification Program Criteria I or II, or instructor-led seminars, lectures or conference sessions related to EE can be documented towards the 50 hours using a Form B (with a maximum of 10 hours per experience).
Please Note:
Activities that would be considered "site visits" under Criteria III and teaching hours cannot count as continuing education credit. *Also, you cannot use workshops, classes, etc. that you took as part of your original certification, even if you are retaking the workshop, class, etc. Activities for CE must have taken place after January 1, 2009. *Repeat workshops may be considered if the workshop has undergone a significant revision.
Please submit your Form Bs for all continuing education activities by emailing them to eecertificationnc@lists.ncmail.net or mailing to the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs, 1609 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-1609.
Please allow 10-15 days for your documentation to appear on your account page. When you complete the continuing education requirements, your certification will be renewed for another 5 years. The continuing education requirement must be completed every five years in order to remain active in the program. To view your certification information at any time, click on the “My Account” tab at the top of any Office of EE Web page and then click “My EE Certification status.”