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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I've paid the CE fee and the registration fee to attend the FGWA Convention. Do I still need to pay a fee to convert my credit hours? A: Yes, registration fees paid to attend conventions and workshops does not include the fee charged by the Florida Water Well Administration to convert you credits. The conversion fee charged by FWWA is $14 per credit hour.
Q: What are the CEU requirements for renewing my license? A: A minimum of six (6) CEUs must be related to water well construction practices and applicable water well construction rules. A maximum of six (6) CEUs can be related to safety and business practices. You could get all 12 CEUs in the Rules/Regulations category.
Q: If I attend the FGWA convention in May, can I hold my credits and use them towards the next renewal cycle? A: No, you can not “hold” those credits and apply them towards the next cycle. Earned coursework credits are valid for 24 months from course date, or until a license is issued or renewed, whichever comes first.
Q: I only need 4 more credits for the current renewal cycle. If I earn 12 credits at a workshop in June, can I use 4 credits towards the current renewal cycle and apply the remaining 8 credits towards the next cycle? A: No, you can not apply partial credits towards two separate renewal cycles. See explanation for answer above.
Q: How many credits can I earn online? A: A maximum of three (3) coursework credits may be obtained by online instruction or other correspondence media.
Q: When can I start earning credits towards the 2009-2011 renewal cycle? A: The DEP 62-531.330(2) rule states that "Water well contractor licenses shall be renewed only after the license holder has completed twelve CEUs of approved coursework earned in the two-year period directly preceding the request for license renewal for each renewal cycle." This means that credits earned after July 31, 2009 can be applied towards the 2009-2011 renewal cycle.
Q: I just realized that the deadline to earn CEUs is July 31, 2009. If I don’t earn 12 credits before the deadline, what happens to my license? A: If a license is not renewed before July 31 of each odd year, the current license will automatically revert to an "inactive" status. If your license has been “inactive” for one year or less, you will need to submit your CEUs and conversion fees to the FWWA and apply for renewal to the Water Management District. You will not have to retake the licensure exam; however, you will be assessed late fees by the Water Management District.
Q: How much will it cost to renew my license? A: The CEU conversion fee is paid to the Florida Water Well Administration. The conversion fee is $14 per credit hour, and the maximum amount that you will have to pay to convert your credits is $168. Your license renewal application fee is $50 and is paid to the Water Management District. After July 31 of each odd year, in addition to the normal license renewal fee, a late fee of $75 will need to be submitted with each application for renewal of a license which has been inactive for one year or less.
Q: I don't speak or read English well. Is there coursework
available in other languages?
A: Yes. However, remember that at least 6 of your required 12 hours must be in the Rules & Regulations category. Since OSHA refresher courses are classified in the Business Practice/Safety category, you may want to convert only 6 hours of what is typically an 8-hour refresher course.
Q: I recently paid to attend a course that was approved for CEU credit, and also paid the conversion fee to obtain credit. Is any of this tax deductible? A: IRS rules state that expenses for education and professional certification are a legitimate business expense. However, we recommend that you check with your tax preparation professional or accountant.
Q: I took several courses recently. Do I need to write a separate check to accompany each Certificate of Attendance or can I pay the conversion fee with one check? A: You certainly may pay the fee with one check. In fact, if several people from the same company take classes, one check can cover all the license holders’ coursework conversion fees.
Q: I’ve heard about a class that I think would be a good one, but I don’t see it posted on the www.flwwceu.org web site, so I don’t think it’s one of your approved courses. What can be done to get it approved? A: Have the course provider contact us and apply to have the coursework approved. If it is, you’ll soon see it posted on the web site.
Q: There’s a 60-day deadline for submitting Certificates of Attendance. I just now found a Certificate from a class I took three months ago. Is it too late to submit it? A: No, it’s not too late. At this time, we are still accepting late submissions. However, we ask that you please convert coursework promptly.
Q: I accidentally paid to convert more than 12 hours (the minimum requirement) of CEU coursework. Can I get a refund? A: Yes. If you send in more than a total of $168 (12 x $14 per credit hour), we will refund the excess amount, either by check or with a credit memo.
Q: I keep hearing about minimum requirements. I’m confused – could we go over this again? A: To renew your water well contractor’s license by July 31, 2007, you must obtain a minimum of 12 hours of Continuing Education credit. Of that 12, at least 6 must be in the Rules & Regulations category (you could get all 12 in Rules & Regulations). Credit hours cannot be "banked" – the hours will expire upon license renewal or two years after the date of the coursework, whichever comes first.
Q: Will online coursework be available at some point? A: Yes, there are several options for obtaining online coursework. Go to the "Course Offerings" page of this web site for details. Effective August 1, 2005 (applying to the 2007 license renewal cycle and onward), you may obtain only three CEUs through online coursework.
Q: I have 11.5 hours of CEU credit. I only need one more half-hour. Is there someplace I can take a half-hour class? A: All coursework must be at least one hour in length, so you will have to take one more 1-hour class. However, you only need to pay to convert a half-hour ($7.00).
Q: I’m licensed in Florida and another state. They have continuing education, too. Can I apply coursework I’ve taken in the other state to my Florida CEU requirement? A: Any coursework can be submitted to the Administrator for review and approval by the Administrator, with DEP’s oversight. Approval is on a case-by-case basis.
Q: I’ve completed my 12 hours. Now what? A: Congratulations! Your 12 hours have been credited to you in a database that will be transmitted electronically to the Water Management District you are licensed out of. We have developed a Certificate of Completion, which we mail to all those who have completed their 12-hour requirement.
Q: I’ve been in this business 30 years. Can I be grandfathered in?
A: We certainly acknowledge that 30 years of experience in well drilling gives you a considerable body of knowledge; however, the State Legislature, when drafting the regulations for the mandatory Continuing Education Program, did not provide for any exceptions or “grandfathering in” of any licensed well drillers. Under current law (SS Chapter 373.323), all licensed water well contractors will have to have 12 Continuing Education Units by July 31, 2005.
Q: My wife handles the “business” end of my operation. Can she take the “Business/Safety” coursework for me? A: No, all coursework that is to be converted into a CEU credit must be obtained by the holder of the water well license.
Q: Will there be homework, or tests to take?
A: Usually, no, although some course providers may give a test at the end of their session to check your understanding of the subject matter. You will not be required to pass any test to earn a CEU credit.
Q: Will I need to get textbooks, or do any studying?
A: Again, no. Many course providers or instructors may provide you with handout material that you will find useful.
Q: Is there a fee to get CEU credit?
A: Yes. The Florida Legislature did not provide funding to DEP or the Water Management Districts to administer the program, and allowed the industry to self-fund the program. Currently, a fee of $14 per coursework hour is charged to convert the coursework to CEU credit and electronically report the credit(s) to the Water Management District in which you are licensed. The amount of $14 per credit hour was arrived at by budgeting income and expenses for a five-year period.
Q: Where does this fee money go?
A: Some of the costs associated with administering the program include: printing, postage, office overhead, web site development and maintenance, internet/e-mail, phone/fax charges, insurance, and salaries.
Q: Is there a charge for the classes?
A: That is at the discretion of the course provider. Some coursework is offered at no charge, while others charge a registration fee. The course providers’ phone numbers are posted on the "Course Offerings" page of this web site – contact the course providers for details.
Q: Once I meet the minimum, can I take more coursework if
I want to?
A: Yes, you can, but if you’ve met the minimum of a total of 12 hours, there’s no need to convert more hours to CEU credit. Keep in mind that there is a fee of $14 per hour to convert coursework to CEU credit.
Q: Why aren’t you offering any courses in my area? I can’t take off work to drive to Orlando or Tampa. A: We are currently working with numerous approved course providers, including the five Water Management Districts, to offer courses in various locations throughout Florida, including locations in each of the five Districts. Contractors should call their local District office to inquire about coursework that they would like to see offered close to home.
Q: How do I contact the Florida Water Well Contractors Continuing Education Program? A: Florida Water Well Contractors Continuing Education Program
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FWWA, 325 John Knox
Rd #L103, Tallahassee, FL 32303 Phone: (850) 205-5641, Fax: (850) 222-3019, Email |
