Professional Certification Programs

What are the options?

National Programs SWANA USCC

State-Based Programs University-Based Recycling Organization-Based State Agency -Based

Accreditation University Recycling Organization State Agency No Accreditation

Training Regular Classes Periodic Classes Conference-based

Means different things to different peopleA single workshop 40 hoursNo university affiliation Full university accreditationNo examination 100+ question exam

True university-accredited professional certification exists in only two states.

What does certification mean in other professions?

Professional education and training Raise the level of

Knowledge Professionalism Credibility

Enhance exchange of Information Insight

Certified through Penn State University Funded by Pennsylvania Department of

Environmental Protection (DEP) Administered by the Professional

Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP) Overseen by a committee

DEP Staff PROP Staff PROP Members Penn State Staff

40 CEU (Continuing Education Units) or 40 total hours of instruction

Core requirements Practice & Theory (Two days/1.4 CEUs) Core Electives (Pick three of eleven)

Other electives (10 – 18 hours) Pass a comprehensive exam

100 questions on basic information 25 questions on your specialty

Organics Processing Marketing Collection Education Management

Designed for operations staff Requires only 25 hours of class time No examination Classes

Two required core courses Two electives based on need & availability

Can be a foundation for full certification

State-based programs with a national standard allow state-specific training

It’s transferrable - Means the same everywhere…

…and provides for universal credibility An incentive for states to establish a

comprehensive program Provides a program template

At least 30 credit hours/30 CEUs Accredited by a post-secondary

institution Include a comprehensive “Recycling 101”

class Passage of a comprehensive written

exam

Biggest concerns or barriers were Lack of funding Didn’t know where to start

Reservations from members or boards was a concern in a few states