Continuance of Certification (COC) For Canadian College for the Certification of Professional Ergonomists

Download the COC information document and worksheet (Word document)

Premise:

The continuance of certification (COC) is a means of ensuring that Canadian Certified Professional Ergonomist (CCPE) certificants are staying current with respect to professional development and that they are continuing to review new information. It is a necessary component for CCCPE to receive accreditation with the International Ergonomics Association. This COC is similar to the one initiated by the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics in the United States in June 2005.

How it Works:

The continuance of certification process will begin as of January 1, 2010. CCPEs must accumulate 100 points over a 5 year period. Worksheets must be submitted at the end of each 5 year period. Anyone who has the CCPE designation as of January 1, 2010 will start their point accumulation on that date. Thereafter, new certificants will begin on January 1 in the year following that in which the certification was received.

CCPEs must accumulate 100 points of ergonomics-related activities and submit a completed COC worksheet covering the most recent five year period. Most of the points (80%) come from working as a practicing ergonomist. The remaining can come from a variety of professional development including attending conferences, serving on ergonomics-related committees, providing or receiving ergonomics training, publishing articles, books or book reviews, etc. Worksheets shall be submitted to the CCCPE secretariat at info@cccpe.ca at the end of each 5 year period. A random selection of roughly 10% of membership will be chosen for more in-depth evaluation of their COC worksheets. In this case, members will be contacted for documentation verifying COC activities.

COC Worksheet Notes:

1. Active practice as certified ergonomist - maximum 80 points (16 points per year for 5 years). To qualify for active practice, your regular duties must include the practicing or teaching of ergonomics. Documentation could include a letter from your supervisor verifying job duties, or for consultants a client listing or letters from clients. If your full-time occupation is a university faculty position in an ergonomics-related field, this would also count as active practice providing your research and teaching includes the spectrum of competencies as described in the CCCPE application. If you work part-time, your points should be pro-rated accordingly.

2. Providing ergonomics-related training - maximum 20 points over 5 years. Providing instruction must be outside your normal practice duties. For example, you may teach a college course outside of work, or you may be a professor provide a training course for industry. Training performed within your job can also count provided it is outside your normal work duties. Four points for each full-day course taught (7 hours contact time). Teaching a full semester course of 36 hours would reach the maximum of 20 points. Points may be pro-rated for part-day courses. Documentation may be a letter from the college, company or organization verifying the course, a course outline, letter of completion from the course sponsor, etc.

3. Receiving ergonomics-related training - maximum 20 points over 5 years. Receiving instruction can be provided by your employer or outside of your normal work duties. Topics should pertain to the competencies for CCCPE. Note that the competencies are broad and training pertaining to areas generally related to ergonomics are considered relevant. Two points for each full-day course received for a maximum of 20 points. Points may be pro-rated for part-day courses. Documentation may be a letter from the company or organization verifying the course, a certificate, course outline or letter of completion from the course sponsor.

4. Ergonomics-related service to societies, committees or standards development activities and mentoring of ergonomists - maximum 20 points over 5 years. Four points for each year of volunteering, appointed, elected or mentoring activities. Documentation includes a letter from a committee or organization indicating appointment, meeting frequency and duties and term of service.

5. Publishing ergonomics-related articles, papers, books, book chapters, book reviews, or research reports - maximum 20 points over 5 years. Five points for each publication (reviewed or refereed) and two points for other publications or non-refereed articles. For example, a book review for the ACE newsletter or a case study would count as a non-refereed article. The publication must relate to ergonomics. Documentation includes a copy of the publication.

6. Attendance or participation at ergonomics-related professional meetings/conferences - maximum 20 points over 5 years. One point for each full day of a attendance at a conference or meeting lasting one or more days and one point for less than one day. Add two points for each presentation at a meeting or conference. The meetings must be technically or professionally based. Documentation includes evidence of attendance and/or presentation.