How many credits must I earn each certification cycle?

You must have 15 continuing education credits completed for each certification cycle. Once you achieve the 15 credits required in a certification cycle, you may earn up to 15 additional credits and carry them over into the next certification cycle. This information is explained on this website under Continuing Education.

How many credits do I currently have?

To obtain information on the status of your continuing education credits, e-mail the Certification Board at csansoni@state.pa.us or call (717) 772-5158.

Is there a fee charged per credit?

No, there is no fee for continuing education credits. However, course #109 Advanced Soils does require a $50 registration deposit to hold your seat. That deposit is returned to you the first day of the course, if you attend.

My address/telephone number/e-mail address is incorrect. Whom do I contact to change it?

Responsibility of address changes is covered in Pa Code, Title 25, Chapter 72, Section 72.56(b). The SEO must promptly notify the Certification Staff of a change of address. You can e-mail your address and telephone number changes to Csansoni@state.pa.us or call (717) 772-5158. To view the current address on file in the Certification Board database, go to http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/cgi_apps/seo/. You should also notify PSATS of a change of address, phone number, and/or e-mail either by phone at (717) 763-0930 or e-mail to seo@psats.org. In your email or voicemail, you must provide SEO #, name, address, phone number and county.

May I register for a course over the phone, by fax, e-mail, or online?

You may register for a course by fax, e-mail, or online. Although registrations are taken by phone, your seat in the course cannot be guaranteed until the follow-up paperwork is received by mail, fax, or e-mail. To register online, simply go to "Available Training" on the left side navigation bar.

How do I know if I am registered for a course?

PSATS will send a confirmation email within 15 business days of receiving your registration. Thirty (30) days prior to the course, a reminder postcard or letter providing times and locations of the course will also be sent.

What is the three-strikes policy?

The three-strikes policy was implemented to discourage individuals from registering for a class and then not showing up for the class, thus possibly preventing another person from being able to attend the class in his or her place. Anytime a registrant fails to show up for a class and does not notify PSATS of a cancellation at least eight (8) days in advance of a scheduled course, that individual's permanent file at PSATS will be documented to reflect such conduct and a warning letter will be sent to the individual. After the third occurrence of this kind, the individual will not be permitted to register for a continuing education class without a $50 registration deposit. The registration deposit is not a fee, as the check will be returned to the registrant upon class check-in. However, if the registrant again fails to attend the course for which he or she is registered and does not notify PSATS of a cancellation at least eight (8) days in advance of the course, then the registration deposit will be forfeited.

Where do I direct someone who wants to become an SEO or who needs more information about the Precertification Academy?

Tell anyone interested in becoming an SEO to visit the SEO training website, www.seotraining.org, and select "Precertification Academy." This link gives detailed information about the Precertification Academy, which an SEO candidate must attend before he or she may sit for the certification exam. For more information, call PSATS at (717) 763-0930, and ask to speak with the SEO Logistical Coordinator.

What is a posttest?

A posttest is an optional Web-based test that an SEO can take to cover the material taught in a classroom course. The test is not mandatory, but it provides an opportunity for SEOs to earn continuing education credits.

May I take a Web-based course or posttest more than once for credits?

No, Web-based courses and posttests may only be taken once for credit. However, you may, at any time, go back and retake a course for educational purposes. On the home page of www. seotraining.org, you will find a button that allows you to take any of the Web-based courses as a guest.

How do I find out my Web-based password or make changes to it?

You may find out or make changes to your Web-based training information by contacting PSATS at seo@psats.org or calling the SEO Administrative Assistant at (717) 763-0930. You can also retrieve a lost password by going to www.seotraining.org, and clicking on "Available Training, Continuing Education, and then Web-Based Courses." This only works if your e-mail address is correct in our database.

I have two different passwords for Web-based courses and Web-based posttests and would like to make them the same, or I want a password that I can remember. How do I make these changes?

You may change your password or passwords by contacting PSATS at seo@psats.org or calling the SEO Administrative Assistant at (717) 763-0930. You can also retrieve a lost password by going to www.seotraining.org, and clicking on "Available Training, Continuing Education, and then Web-Based Courses." This only works if your e-mail address is correct in our database.

If I'm having problems with the Web-based training, whom can I contact?

If you are experiencing problems with your Web-based training, you may call the PSATS SEO Logistical Administrator at (717) 763-0930 or e-mail seo@psats.org. If the SEO Logistical Administrator is unable to correct the problem, PSATS will contact technical support to assist you in resolving your problem.

Whom do I contact to obtain SEO-related forms?

Most SEO-related forms can be obtained from your regional DEP office or from the Web at http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/sewage_and_disposal/10583. A listing of DEP regional offices is found on the top of the www.seotraining.org home page.

How do I order an SEO field manual?

Anyone can purchase a field manual for $40. However, townships and regulatory SEOs may each receive one field manual for free. To obtain a copy of the brochure that contains details on ordering a manual, click on "Order a Field Manual" on the home page of www.seotraining.org, or call the PSATS office at (717) 763-0930, or e-mail seo@psats.org.

What is PASEO, and how do I contact them?

PASEO stands for the Pennsylvania Association of SEOs. Any questions or concerns regarding PASEO may be directed to the administrator, Gil Longwell, at (717) 761-8648 or paseo1@verizon.net.

What will happen if I don't have enough credits or do not complete a required course by the end of a cycle?

The end of a certification cycle will fall on June 30 of an even-numbered year. On that date certification will lapse for those SEOs who have failed to both accrue enough continuing education credits and successfully complete the Advanced Soils course (#109). Note: this particular Advanced Soils course deadline applies only to those SEOs who were certified before June 30, 2002.

If a certification is lapsed, the SEO's certificate is invalid and nonrenewable. Persons with lapsed SEO certification are not allowed to perform SEO duties under the Sewage Facilities Act. Anyone doing so is in violation of the Act and regulations.

SEOs who allow their certification to lapse on June 30, 2006, have until the end of the next certification cycle (June 30, 2008) to make up the missed training (and complete required training for that cycle as well).

Once the required make-up training is completed, the person may apply to the Certification Board for renewal of his or her certification. If a person does not make up the required training within the two-year period — in this case after July 1, 2008 — he or she would be required to complete the SEO Precertification Academy and pass the SEO certification exam to become recertified as an SEO.

SEOs who allowed their certification to lapse on June 30, 2004, and did not make up their missed training by June 30, 2006, will be required to complete the SEO Precertification Academy and pass the SEO certification exam to become recertified an SEO.