The Ins and Outs of Internal Recertification Training

These days, I am awash in emails and advertisements about training opportunities from national and state-level organizations, universities and online training companies. Many of these communications highlight, in bold text, how many CEUs (Continuing Education Units) are offered for those attending the training.

It seems flashy, dazzling, even a little magical — how did the training provider negotiate with all of these states to have this session approved for recertification credits? It sounds complicated!

The truth is, states are quite transparent about this process, and many pest management companies organize their own internal training sessions that award CEUs. This can be done by companies large or small with a little planning.

Like everything, there are pros and cons to organizing this type of training. It won’t make sense for everyone. At Rose Pest Solutions, we have hosted a company-wide training conference every year since 2006 (and yes, it was virtual in 2021). For us, it’s a great way to bring our team members together to celebrate accomplishments, level up and earn CEUs.

This article shares some lessons learned over the years about hosting a training session worthy of state recertification credits.

THE BIG PICTURE. Some things will need to be planned well in advance of the training date. If hosting your own event, “Why?” is the first question you should ask.

In some states, scheduling time to retake applicator exams has gotten much harder or more expensive to do since the pandemic began. Also, earning CEUs by listening to a presentation can be a better way to stay current with research and market trends. There are many reasons to consider CEU training. Does it make sense for your company? You decide!

WHAT FORMAT? With the rise of online video chat platforms like Zoom and Teams, having an online meeting is easier than ever. However, be sure you understand how online meetings are awarded credits and how attendance is verified before you go too far down this path. Understand state requirements first.

If you are planning an in-person event, one of the first things to do is secure a meeting location. Some states will not award credits for internal company training, so having the meeting in a neutral location, such as a hotel or banquet hall, may be necessary.

WHO? If you want a popular industry expert to speak at your event, you will probably have to approach them at least eight months to a year in advance, or their schedule will fill up.

For a more local training session, you may still need a diverse lineup of presenters for a state to recognize it as a legitimate event. Having at least a couple of presenters from outside your company or with widely accepted credentials (Ph.D., master’s degree, Board Certified Entomologist, Certified Wildlife Control Professional, etc.) will serve you well.

HOW MUCH? If the meeting will be open to outside attendees, you’ll need to determine a fee schedule, figure out how payment will be collected and ensure it is consistent.

CHECK THE WEBSITE. Every state regulatory agency is different, but there are some similarities in their requirements. These agencies don’t like to answer the same questions over and over any more than you do. Requirements will be clearly spelled out online, and likely, there will be an FAQ page or a contact person listed should issues arise.

DEADLINES. Don’t miss them! The states I work with require a program to be submitted three to four weeks before the event. It’s a really good idea to get the paperwork in well in advance of the deadline so that you have time to work with the state to correct any errors or improperly assigned credits.

TRACK ATTENDANCE. This can vary widely between states, and it can be tough to manage if each state wants a separate sign-in sheet maintained. I highly recommend using a QR code linked to an online form (or other similar technology) to aggregate attendance data digitally in real time.

Many states will accept digital registry logs if they are asked this question in advance. This makes it a breeze to submit attendance records and retain copies of them should questions arise in the future. However, you may need to provide an alternate way to sign in if someone doesn’t have a phone.

HOURS Versus CREDITS. One hour of training for one CEU is the norm for most states, but there are variations. Some states may require 30 or 50 minutes of training for one CEU.

If you are having a two-hour presentation on rodents (with a break, I hope!), it may make sense to make it a two-and-a-half-hour session instead. Warning: Incoming math! In a “50-minute state,” two-and-a-half hours (150 minutes) of training would be three CEUs, instead of only two CEUs for a two-hour talk (120 minutes). In strictly economic terms, you are “wasting” 20 minutes of training for the two-hour talk, as a presentation lasting one hour and 40 minutes is also awarded two CEUs.

FINAL THOUGHTS. If you’re considering hosting a training for CEUs, hopefully, you have a few more details now on what is involved to pull it off. However, it would be an oversight if I didn’t conclude by recognizing all the fantastic training already out there and available at a reasonable price to our industry. For many companies, reinventing the wheel won’t make sense. That’s fine — take pride in supporting industry training, which generally allows greater networking opportunities and fewer headaches! Some of us like to do both.

Mark VanderWerp, B.C.E., is manager of education and training for Rose Pest Solutions, Troy, Mich., and a member of the Urban Pest Management Technical Committee (upmtc.org).