Training & Certification

Professional Development Hours (PDHs)

SWANA strongly advocates lifelong learning as part of a member's personal and professional growth, and requires all those that are certified to obtain 30 Professional Development Hours (PDHs), formerly known as CEUs,  in order to maintain certification. You can advance in your career by updating and expanding your job knowledge and seeking advanced training.

SWANA offers a variety of educational opportunities for its members. Explore our array of offerings for industry professionals to empower, educate, and excite you and your career!

Questions About Certification?

Thoughtful man with question-marks in background

Track your Certification & PDHs Online

Follow these instructions to view your account

How to Earn PDHs

  1. Attend a Webinar – Many webinars are free to members, and they often award PDHs. Notice will be given on the webinar registration page.
  2. Online Courses – SWANA offers a variety of online courses as a way to receive top industry training without ever leaving the office.
  3. In-Person Learning Events – SWANA offers in-person learning throughout the year, through its national conferences (SOAR and WASTECON), chapter events, Training@Work Program, and regional forums.
  4. Conference Keynotes – Learn from technical sessions presented by leaders in the solid waste industry

The number of PDHs awarded will vary depending on the training option. Check your certification status here.

How to Receive PDHs for SWANA and Non-SWANA Event

  1. Send an email to certification@swana.org. The email should contain the following information: A program/agenda with a detailed description and timetable of the sessions attended, date(s) and location (city, state), and proof of attendance.
  2. If the event is a course or class please provide the course text, syllabus, timeline, and proof of attendance for review.
  3. The SWANA Certification staff will review the supplied information to determine its applicability to the discipline’s body of knowledge.
  4. SWANA reserves the right to determine the number (if any) of PDHs allocated for a non-SWANA event.