Self-Paced Training Evaluation

The Department of Health (DOH), Office of Drinking Water, has special guidelines for the evaluation and accreditation of Self-Paced Training (formally known as Distance Education) used by waterworks operators to meet the education requirement for certification examination or the professional growth requirement for certification renewal.

The following training formats are considered Self-Paced Training and must be evaluated and approved in advance based on the Department’s criteria:

  • Online/Internet
  • CD-ROM
  • Correspondence Course
  • Video

Self-Paced Training courses have always required every quiz/ test to be supervised by an appropriate exam monitor, ensuring integrity of the learning taking place. As of 6/16/21, trainers providing courses that integrate tools to track active participation and ensure integrity of the course in other ways, such as timed slides and pass/ fail quizzes that must be completed before proceeding to the next section of a course, can apply to have the requirement of monitored exams waived for their students. Please contact WCS for more information on this process.

Please note that Self-Paced Training tends to be independant and unmonitored learning. Live Remote Virtual training differs from Self-Paced Training in that it live training monitored by the course sponsor.

 Here is more information about Self-Paced Training course evaluation...

In 2001 the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), in cooperation with the American Waterworks Association (AWWA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF), began a project to research industry standards for development and accreditation of Self-Paced Training.  This collaborative effort, combined with input from state certification programs, led to the development of a national guidance model.  The Department of Health (DOH) has incorporated its Waterworks operator professional growth criteria into the national guidance model approved by ABC.

Guidance for the Evaluation and Accreditation of Self-Paced Training lists the major elements that must be demonstrated in Self-Paced Training course design, development and sponsorship.  Only Self-Paced Training courses that have followed this guidance, as well as DOH professional growth criteria, will be eligible for approval for Waterworks operators in Washington.

Washington Certification Services at Green River College is responsible for the evaluation and accreditation of Self-Paced Study used by waterworks operators to meet the Department of Health’s (DOH) professional growth requirement for renewal or education requirement for certification.

To request a Self-Paced Training course evaluation, you must submit a complete Application for Evaluation of Self-Paced Training for each course, including all required attachments.  Submittals will be evaluated based on the criteria set forth in Guidance for the Evaluation of Self-Paced Training, as well as all other professional growth guidelines and criteria established by DOH.  Sponsors must allow a minimum of 45 calendar days for evaluation of Self-Paced Training. 

Please refer to the Instructions for Evaluation and Accreditation of Self-Paced Training for more information about the submittal and evaluation process.

PDF FILL-IN Form

The form listed below are provided in a PDF fill-in version. This will allow you to enter information on the form directly from your computer.  When the form is completed, you can "save as" to submit via email (if applicable) or print to submit via mail, along with all required documentation.

For more information about Self-Paced Training enrollment and completion procedures for waterworks operators, see Self-Paced Training.

For information about waterworks operator professional growth guidelines, see About the Professional Growth Requirement.