Revised On: Nov. 19, 2023 - 11:30 p.m.

Professional development hours (PDHs) involve participation in an organized educational activity related to engineering, biological or chemical sciences, a closely related technical or scientific discipline, or operations management.

A PDH is equivalent to one hour of contact time. To complete a renewal, a minimum of 30 PDHs are required per certification period, not certification. Your certification period is defined as the timeframe between a certification’s effective and expiration date. For example, if you earned 8 hours of training on Jan. 15, 2024, but your certification’s effective date is Jan. 23, 2024, the PDHs will not apply to the new certification period. 

Each college semester or quarter unit is equal to 10 PDHs. Continuing education units (CEUs) at one-day conferences are equivalent to PDHs. So a one-day conference offering 8 CEUs is the same as 8 PDHs. Please provide transcripts/diplomas/certificates through the Operator Certification Portal during renewals. Training providers will typically recommend you reach out to your issuing agency before purchasing or using their product. Contact the Operator Certification Program (see sidebar) with any questions.

Workshops 

PDHs are awarded at all workshops hosted by ADEQ throughout the year. All operators, stakeholders and community members are welcome to attend and participate | View ADEQ Events Page >

Recorded ADEQ webinars and workshops videos can be used as PDHs. Powerpoint presentation PDFs can not be used as PDHs | Learn More >

PDH Workbooks

Arizona certified operators may complete each workbook offered per certification period. You will need to submit the completed workbook(s) when your certificate(s) is due for renewal to receive credit. Workbooks that are illegible will not receive PDHs | Download PDH Workbooks Zip Folder >