1. Occupational Licensing TCEQ Trade Fair 2017 How to Become a
TCEQ, Occupational Licensing, Training course delivery standards and application requirements. Presentation by Sarita Nazareth, Training Specialist
Occupational
Licensing
How to Become a
Training Provider
This presentation is intended for people who wish to submit requests to provide training eligible for training credit hours for occupational licensees in Texas. It will cover the different types of training eligible for credit.
Larry Diamond
Training Analyst
Occupational Licensing

2. Overview and Purpose Image: TCEQ logo TCEQ Rules and Regulations
Similarities and Specific Requirements for Training Providers
Classroom Training
Conference Training
Training at Association Meetings
Distance training
Correspondence Training
Technology Training
Webinar Training
The training provider approval process is governed by TCEQ rules and regulations. There are both similarities and specific requirements depending upon the type of training requested.
Image: TCEQ logo

3. TCEQ Rules and Regulations
Training approval added to rules in 2007
Title 30, Part 1, Texas administrative Code (TAC) Chapter (Revised September 2016)
Definitions–30 TAC §30.7
RG-373: TCEQ Regulatory Guidance for Approval of Training for Occupational
Licensing
Revised April 2014
Training approval was first added to TCEQ rules in The rules are found in Texas Administrative Code, also know as TAC, Title 30 Chapter 30.28, which was last revised in September There is also regulatory guidance document, RG-373, which provides guidance for complying with the rules. The

4. Training Requirements
Image: OL home page:
A link to download a PDF copy of RG-373 is found on the Guidance for Training Providers page of the Occupational Licensing section division on the TCEQ public website. It can also be accessed by putting in 373 to the search box found on the home page and many other TCEQ webpages.

5. Training Requirements
RG-373: Approval of Training for Occupational Licensing
RG-373 provides additional guidance for complying with TAC requirements.
Checklists are provided.
Application Form TCEQ found on last page.
(Appendix C)
RG-373 is intended to be a guide to submitting complete applications that comply with the TAC rules. Most answers to common questions can be found in this guidance document. The last page contains the application form itself, TCEQ

6. Training Approval Components
TCEQ Review & Approval of:
Content (training manuals, exams,
tracks, presentations).
Provider, Instructors, Presenters, Subject Matter Experts (SME)
Procedures
The training approval process request has three main categories of material that need to be submitted for review and approval: content, provider/instructor/presenter, and procedure approval. As an example a request to be a classroom training provider the content of the course would need to be approved. This would include the manual (if not using an already approved one), PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and exams. The provider, instructors,, and presenters would need to be approved. Classroom instructors have the most requirements. They need to have taken two teaching courses: a 40-hour course in Methods of Teaching or Effective Instructional Techniques, plus an additional 40-hour course in Organization and Use of Training Materials or Instructional Design and Evaluation; or have a minimum of 60 hours of instructional experience. Instructors for core courses must also have the required licenses. Presenters must meet Subject Matter Expert criteria. Procedures requirements for the type of training requested are also part of the approval process. Qualifications of Subject Matter Experts used to develop training will also be reviewed.

7. Component Examples Image: clip art checklist
Training Application Checklist from RG (Classroom Example, Checklist 1)
Course Overview and Goals
Course Agenda
Prerequisite Statement
Learning Objectives
Instructional Plan or Lesson Plan
Instructional Materials
Training Manuals
Course Completion Certificate
Proposed Instructor Qualifications
Experts’ Qualifications and Approvals
Application and Applicable Application Fee
Image: clip art checklist
Checklists are provided for the different types of training within RG This example is only for Classroom training, other training types have different checklists.

8. TCEQ Rules and Regulations
Common Requirements: Training used to meet the requirements for obtaining or renewing a license must:
Be approved prior to training.
Provide the knowledge or skills necessary to perform one or more of the occupation’s critical job tasks.
Not promote or endorse products or services.
Accomplish learning objectives.
There are requirements that apply to all types of training provider requests. Training must be approved prior to the date of training, provide knowledge or skills necessary to perform critical job tasks, not promote specific products or services, and accomplish the learning objectives of the training.
Image: clip art of classroom

9. TCEQ Rules and Regulations
Training used to meet the requirements for obtaining or renewing license must: (continued…)
Include graphics, visual aids, and interactivity to enhance learning.
Include monitoring of participant comprehension.
Include monitoring of successful participant completion.
Other common requirements are that the training use graphics, visual aids, and interactivity to enhance learning, monitor participant comprehension and successful completion of course, and report training credit.
Image: clip art classroom

10. TCEQ Rules and Regulations
Materials developed for training must utilize subject matter experts (SME), instructional design experts, or effective qualified classroom instructors. Additionally, development for technology- based training must also utilize experts in technology.
Content development must utilize subject matter experts, instructional design experts, or effective qualified classroom instructors. If the request is for technology based training, the content must utilize experts in the technology used.

11. TCEQ Rules and Regulations
Public information copied from web sites or other sources is not acceptable as training material unless modified to be applicable to the target audience and the method of delivery. Any non-original material must comply with the “fair use” provisions of federal copyright law.
Training materials submitted to the TCEQ are assumed to be original creations of the training provider. Public information copied from Web sites or other sources is not acceptable as training materials unless modified to apply to the target audience and mode of training. The training provider is responsible for obtaining proper approval from the publisher to make use of the words, ideas, or illustrations of another author. Any quoted or reproduced material that is not an original creation of the training provider must be sourced and such quotation or reproduction must comply with the “fair use” provisions of federal copyright law.

12. Training Requirements
Classroom Training (Need to Know)
Must include a manual (new or already approved).
Be presented by a qualified instructor.
Include a lesson plan and agenda.
Be provided in a setting conducive to learning and not in promotional settings.
Ensure delivery standards are met.
Checklist 1 items are submitted to TCEQ.
Classroom training requirements must include a manual (new or already approved). If a new manual the cost for processing the request is $25 per credit hour request. If using an already approved manual the cost is $10 per credit hour requested. Training must be presented by a qualified instructor (not SME), include a lesson plan and agenda, be in a setting conducive to learning, ensure delivery standards are met, all Checklist 1 items must be submitted to TCEQ.
Image: clip art classroom

13. Qualified Classroom Instructor
Classroom instructors must:
Have a minimum of 3 years of related work
experience.
Have classroom instructional experience.
Hold the appropriate valid occupational license
for core courses.
Classroom instructors have the following requirements: sufficient work experience, subject matter expertise which is equivalent to a minimum of three years of hands-on experience related performing critical operating tasks. They must also have the required vocational instructional experience which is satisfied by having at least 60 hours of classroom instructional experience (conference or association meeting presentations would not suffice), or a 40-hour course in Methods of Teaching or Effective Instructional Techniques plus an additional 40-hour course in Organization and Use of Training Materials or Instructional Design and Evaluation. Instructors of core courses must hold a valid license in the particular occupation they are teaching. For water and wastewater operator licensing, a Class A or B license is normally required to teach.

14. Training Delivery Methods
Conference Training (Checklist 2)
The term conference includes conferences, seminars, workshops, symposiums, and expos.
Who can provide?
a governmental authority;
an industry-related association; or
a college or university listed by accrediting agencies
recognized by the U.S. Department of Ed.
The term conference includes conferences, seminars, workshops, symposiums, and expos. Training at conferences may only be submitted for approval if given by:
■ a governmental authority, ■ an industry-related association, or ■ a college listed as accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Image: clip art conference

15. Training Delivery Methods
Industry-Related Association
Definition— An industry-related association is a nonprofit organization representing members that possess occupational licenses issued by the TCEQ.
Definition for an Industry-Related Association: An industry-related association is a nonprofit organization representing members that possess occupational licenses issued by the agency.
Image: clip art association meeting

16. Training Requirements
Conference Training (Need to Know)
Requests must be submitted at least 45 days before the event to ensure review/approval by the event date.
The conference training is considered approved until content, presenters, or duration changes.
Ensure delivery standards are met and Checklist 2
items are submitted to the TCEQ for review.
Conferences training request approvals must be submitted at least 45 days before the event begins. Once approved until content, presenters, or duration changes the existing approval suffices for subsequent offerings.
Image: clip art conference

17. Training Delivery Methods
Association Meeting Training (Checklist 3)
Training sessions conducted at regular and special
meetings of industry-related associations.
Association meeting training occurs during meetings of industry-related associations. Within the meeting event, organizers can ask for credit for a training session. This applied to both regular and special meetings of associations.
Image: clip art association meeting

18. Training Requirements
Association Meeting Training (Need to Know)
Training credit is approved for the actual content time of the training.
Must not be held in a place of business of a product manufacturer, distributor or service provider.
Training must be presented by SMEs.
Ensure delivery standards are met and Checklist 3
items are submitted to the TCEQ for review.
Training credit hours are approved for the actual content time of the training itself, not the meeting time. Training sessions at association meetings must be presented by qualified subject-matter experts on subjects directly related to critical job tasks performed by the licensees. The training provider is responsible for ensuring that presenters are qualified subject-matter experts—defined as having a minimum of three years of work-related experience and expert knowledge in a particular area or areas related to the training topic. The training location and atmosphere should be conducive to learning—no alcohol, no obscenities, and no other distractions.
Image: clip art association meeting

19. Training Delivery Methods
Distance Training Checklist 4 (Define)
Distance training occurs when the learner is separated by place and/or time from instructors or other learning resources. May not be substituted for actual hands-on training that is needed to teach required manual skills.
Image: clip art distance and books going into a computer

20. Training Delivery Methods
Distance Learning (Who can provide?)
Distance learning may only be submitted for approval by:
Governmental authorities;
Industry-related associations;
Colleges listed by accrediting agencies that are recognized by the U.S Department of Education; or
Individuals or organizations that demonstrate comparable subject matter expertise and knowledge.
The term conference includes conferences, seminars, workshops, symposiums, and expos. Training at conferences may only be submitted for approval if given by:
■ a governmental authority, ■ an industry-related association, or ■ a college listed as accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. ■ individuals or organizations that demonstrate comparable subject-matter expertise and knowledge of, and experience with, educational principles and effective instructional design as determined by the TCEQ. These individuals and organizations normally partners with one of the above entities.
Image: clip art distance

21. Training Requirements
Distance Learning (Need to Know) Checklist 4
Must provide students access to SMEs within 1 business day.
Must notify students- training repeated within the same
renewal period will not receive training credit.
Must maintain procedures to protect student identity if using the internet.
Ensure delivery standards are met and Checklist 4
items are submitted to the TCEQ for review.
If the training is also technology based
Checklist 5 items are also required.
Because distance learning has the potential to not be as interactive as other settings where the student is in the same room as the instructor or presenter as well as other students, there are certain requirements in distance learning to ensure interactivity. Students must be provided with access to subject mater experts that will respond to questions within one business day. It is important to note that a student taking a distance learning training within the same renewal period will not receive training credit if the training uses the same performance-based assessment. There must also be procedures in place to protect student identity if using the internet.
Image: clip art distance

22. Training Requirements
Correspondence Training (Need to Know)
Can either be paper-based conducted through the postal system, electronic-based conducted through a web-site, or a blend of these delivery systems.
Make a text or training manual available to students.
Provide acceptable procedures for participant identity verification.
Ensure delivery standards are met and Checklist 4
items are submitted to the TCEQ for review.
Correspondence training can be administered either via a postal system or via the Internet. In any case, students should receive and retain a manual as part of the course. Correspondence training must include acceptable procedures for identity verification of participants and submit the items in Checklist 4 from RG-373.
Image: clip art correspondence

23. Training Delivery Methods
Technology-Based Training (Define)
Includes training offered through computer equipment or through a website (also known as online training or e-learning).
Technology-based training includes training offered through computer equipment by compact disk (CD) or digital video disk (DVD) media, or at a Web site (also known as online training or e-learning).
Image: clip art tech-based and e-learning icon

24. Training Requirements
Technology-Based Training (Need to Know)
Shall provide access to TCEQ if training is provided via the
internet.
Track student time and progress.
Utilize participant identity verification procedures.
Utilize secure online transactions.
Be audit trail capable for verifying student completion
of each module and total time for course.
Technology-based training must be learner friendly in all respects, including ease of use of the website, and include the use of multimedia and graphics related to learning objectives. It must include frequent simulations, animations, video clips, scenarios, or questions that involve remedial feedback.
Image: clip art tech-based

25. Technology-based Training
New Developments
TCEQ encourages & works with training providers on innovative technology to meet standards
Benefits to licensees: no travel costs!
Examples of recent approvals for governmental entities and industry-related trade associations:
Live presentation via personal computer with
presentations/manuals included.
Self-paced online with downloadable manual
Webinars-see next topic.
TCEQ recognizes and encourages the use of new technologies to provide quality, effective training that meets training standards and makes training more accessible to our licensee needs and constraints. Benefits are no travel costs to attendees and more flexibility to fit training into work and life schedules.
Image: clip art tech-based

26. Training Delivery Methods
Webinar Training (Define)
Interactive training delivered live via the internet where the learner is separated by place from the learning source.
Combination of conference and distance training.
It is NOT self-paced training like distance learning.
Successful completion of webinar training may only
earn continuing education hours for license renewals.
Webinars are interactive training that is delivered live via the internet. It is not self-paced training like distance learning. Webinars that are repeated during the renewal period will not be given credit and webinar training is only eligible for continuing education hours for license renewals.
Clip art: webinar

27. Webinar: Who Can Provide
Webinar Training (Who can provide?)
May only be submitted for approval by:
Governmental entities or their designated entities;
Industry-related associations; or
Colleges listed by accrediting agencies that are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Approved webinar training providers--Governmental entities or their designated agents, associations, or colleges as listed by accrediting agencies that are recognized by the United States Department of Education and that have been approved by the executive director to provide webinar training.
Image: clip art webinar

28. Webinar Requirements Webinar Training (Need to Know)
Must provide students access to SME.
Utilize student identity procedures.
The same webinar training may not be repeated within the renewal period for training credit.
Materials must be provided prior to training.
Must monitor for comprehension.
Must verify participation & successful completion.
The same webinar training may not be repeated within the renewal period for training credit. Webinar materials must be provided to students prior to the training, the webinar must monitor for comprehension and verify the participation and successful completion of the training by participants.
Image: clip art webinar

29. Wrap Up RG 373: the resource to answer common questions.
TCEQ’s website has additional resources.
Provide sufficient time before event for TCEQ review
Respond timely to requests for more information.
TCEQ is here to assist with the approval process.
RG 373 is designed to answer common questions for becoming a training provider. The TCEQ website has additional helpful resources such as curriculum guidance by licensed program and links to stakeholder and advisory committees. Provide sufficient time prior to the event for TCEQ review. Especially important for conference and association meeting training credit requests. A timely response to requests for more information will move the process forward. The Training Team is here to accomplish the approval of training resources, that meet requirements, for our licensed programs.

30. Contact
Larry Diamond, Training Analyst Phone: