GUIDELINES ON

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) REQUIREMENTS

FOR COMPETENT PERSONS
2018 EDITION

ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTE OF MALAYSIA (EiMAS)

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
MINISTRY OF ENERGY, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Kampus Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Beg Berkunci No. 24, UKM
43600 Bangi
SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN

Tel: 603-89261500
Fax: 603-89261700
EiMAS website: http://www.doe.gov.my/eimas

NRCEP website: http://eimas.doe.gov.my

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Table of Contents 2

List of Abbreviations 3

List of Table 4

1.0 Introduction 5

2.0 List of Certified Environmental Professional Courses 5

Under CPD Requirement

3.0 Categories of CPD Activities 6

4.0 CPD Hour Contribution from Various Activities 7

5.0 Computation of CPD Hour 10

6.0 Submission of CPD Records 11

7.0 Supporting Evidence 11

8.0 Correspondence 11

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 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

CAR Clean Air Regulation

CePBFO Certified Environmental Professional in Bag Filter Operation
CePIETSO-BP Certified Environmental Professional in Industrial Effluent
Treatment System (Biological Processes)
CePIETSO-PCP Certified Environmental Professional in Industrial Effluent
Treatment System (Physical Chemical Processes)
CePLTPO Certified Environmental Professional in Leachate Treatment Plant
Operation
CePPOME Certified Environmental Professional in the Treatment of Palm Oil
Mill Effluent
CePSO Certified Environmental Professional in Scrubber Operation
CePSTPO Certified Environmental Professional in Sewage Treatment Plant
Operation
CePSWaM Certified Environmental Professional in Scheduled Waste
Management
CPD Continuing Professional Development
CSR Corporate Social Responsibility
DOE Department of Environment
EiMAS Environment Institute of Malaysia
IETS Industrial Effluent Treatment System
IER Industrial Effluent Regulation
MDMR Monthly Discharge Monitoring Report
NRCEP National Registry of Certified Environmental Professionals
SWR Scheduled Waste Regulation

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table No Page

Table 1: Certified Environmental Professional Courses Offered 5

by DOE

Table 2: CPD Hour Values Versus Activities 12

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

(a) Definition of CPD

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It is a commitment by

Competent Person to continually update their skills and knowledge in order to
remain professionally competent and achieve their true potential.

(b) Under the National Registry of Certified Environmental Professionals

(NRCEP) Scheme, all Competent Persons certified by Director General of
Department of Environment Malaysia are required to collect a minimum of 50
CPD hours per year.

(c) The objective of this requirement is to ensure those registered under this
scheme are responsible for:

i. Maintaining and enhancing their existing technical knowledge and

professional skills;
ii. Learning new skills and deepen their understanding in the subject matter
they are certified in; and
iii. Keeping abreast with the latest issues and developments in subject matter
they are certified in.

2.0 LIST OF CERTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL COURSES UNDER

CPD REQUIREMENT

2.1 All Competent Persons under the list of certified environmental professional’s
courses by Department of Environment (DOE) as in Table 1 must comply with a
minimum of 50 CPD hours per year.

Table 1: Certified Environmental Professional Courses Offered by DOE

No Course

i Certified Environmental Professional in Scheduled Waste Management

(CePSWaM)
ii Certified Environmental Professional in Industrial Effluent Treatment
System (Physical Chemical Processes) (CePIETSO-PCP)
iii Certified Environmental Professional in Industrial Effluent Treatment
System (Biological Processes) (CePIETSO-BP)
iv Certified Environmental Professional in Scrubber Operation (CePSO)
v Certified Environmental Professional in Bag Filter Operation (CePBFO)
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 vi Certified Environmental Professional in Sewage Treatment Plant
Operation (CePSTPO)
vii Certified Environmental Professional in The Treatment of Palm Oil Mill
Effluent (CePPOME)
viii Certified Environmental Professional in Leachate Treatment Plant
Operation (CePLTPO)

2.2 Any Competent Person whose name has been removed from the Registry for
failure to renew his registration and desires to be reinstated, he must comply with
the CPD requirements for the year prior to reinstatement

2.3 Any Competent Person who is certified in one or more of item (i) to item (viii)
under Clause 2.1 should collect a minimum of 50 CPD Hours.

3.0 CATEGORIES OF CPD ACTIVITIES

3.1 Generally, there are three categories of activities that would contribute to CPD
hours, namely:

(a) Category 1: Enhancing technical knowledge on the subject area of

certification (for example, IETS matters, or scheduled waste management,
pollution control systems or other areas of environmental management)

(b) Category 2: Maintaining constant contact with operational aspects of the

subject area of certification (for example, IETS operation, or scheduled
waste management, or air pollution systems, etc.)

(c) Category 3: Other Activities

3.2 The objective of the first CPD hour generating category of activities is to ensure
the Competent Persons continue to update their knowledge on the subject matter
they are certified in. For example, a CePIETSO, would need to enhance further
understanding of the subject matter of IETS and keep abreast of the latest
developments on IETS issues. Similarly, CePSWaMs are also required to
deepen their understanding and keep up to date with the latest issues in
scheduled waste management.

3.3 The second category of activities aims to ensure that the Competent Persons are
still involved in the operational issues related to the subject matter they are
certified in and the operational aspects related to the subject matter have not
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 been left out entirely from their list of duties / responsibilities. Additionally, the
second category of activities gives credits to Competent Persons in discharging
their daily responsibilities as required by law.

4.0 CPD HOUR CONTRIBUTION FROM VARIOUS ACTIVITIES

4.1. The CPD hour contributions from each category of activities and sub-categories
are explained below.

(a) Category 1: Enhancing Technical Knowledge

(Minimum CPD hours required - 20)

The Competent Persons are required to accumulate a minimum of 20 CPD

hours from the activities in Category 1. The Category 1 activities comprise
seven (7) sub-activities and their CPD hours are as explained below:

(1) Attending environmental training courses (no maximum limit on CPD

hours)

These include all training courses and workshops organized by EiMAS or

DOE.

Training courses and workshops offered by other professional institutes or

recognized training providers at national or international level could also be
considered provided their main topics are related to the environmental
management or pollution control technologies. The training courses must
be courses which has been approved by EiMAS with a specific CPD
hour value. Typically, a one day course is worth 6 CPD hours.

(2) Engaging in self-studies (maximum CPD hours allowed - 5)

The Competent Persons need to prepare and submit a one page technical
summary of each topic studied. A one (1) page summary is worth one (1)
CPD hour.

(3) Attending Environmental Conventions, Conferences, Seminars,

Workshops, Talks, Technical Visits, etc. (maximum CPD hours allowed
- 12)

These include all seminars, conferences, talks or technical site visits

organized by EiMAS and DOE and entitle for 6 CPD per day. Seminar and
conferences conducted by other professional institutes and recognized
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 training providers at national or international level could also be considered
provided their main topics are related to environmental management or
pollution control technologies and has been approved by EiMAS (one day
program is worth 4 CPD hours).

(4) Presenting Technical Papers (maximum CPD hours allowed – 20)

Competent Persons who prepare and present papers for conventions,

conferences, seminars, workshops, talks, courses, etc. organized by
EiMAS, DOE or others can also apply for CPD hours if the papers prepared
and presented are related to environmental management or pollution control
equipment / technologies (Preparation and presentation of paper – 3 CPD /
hour). Maximum 12 CPD hour per annum.

Besides that, competent person that become a trainer for courses organized
by DOE or EiMAS also entitle for 3 CPD/hour with a maximum 20 CPD hour
per annum.

(5) Publication on Environmental Subjects / Areas (maximum CPD hours

allowed – 30)

Competent Persons who publish books or articles in journals related to

environmental management will be granted appropriate CPD hours (30 CPD
/ book, 15 CPD/ article).

(6) Conducting Research and Pursued Undergraduate / Post Graduate

Studies (maximum CPD hours allowed – 10)

Competent Persons who enroll in full time or part time studies on subjects
related to environmental engineering, environmental science or
environmental related field can apply for appropriate CPD hours (for
example pursued full time Undergraduate / Post Graduate Studies - 10 CPD,
Part time Undergraduate / Post Graduate Studies - 5 CPD).

(7) Participating in Environmental Education and Public Awareness

(maximum CPD hours allowed – 10)

This includes participating in environmental education and awareness

programme at international, national and local level (for example Rakan
Alam Sekitar, Minggu Alam Sekitar, etc) and other environmental related
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities (2 CPD / activity).

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(b) Category 2: Maintaining constant contact with operational aspects
(Maximum CPD hours allowed - 30)

The maximum CPD hours allowed from each of the following sub-activities are as
follows:

(1) Discharging responsibilities as a Competent Person (for example, as an

IETS operator or a scheduled waste manager or an air pollution control
system operator – 20 CPD).

(2) Discharging responsibilities for preparing compliance reports [for

example, IETS reports for Performance Monitoring Committee Meetings, or
scheduled waste status report or an air pollution control system status
report for the company [3 reports / year = 15 CPD (or 1 report x 5 CPD)].

(3) Discharging responsibilities for reviewing or / and signing prescribed

forms [for example, the MDMR Scheduled Waste Inventory or the
Consignment Notes (e.g.12 times / year) -10 CPD].

(4) Discharging responsibilities as a regulatory compliance officer (for

example Industrial Effluent Regulation, or Scheduled Waste Regulation, or
Clean Air Regulation -10 CPD).

(5) Acting as in house or external trainer (for example training on IETS

matters or scheduled waste management, or air pollution control systems –
3 CPD/hour. Maximum 12 CPD per annum).

(6) Discharging responsibilities as a trainer for EiMAS competency

courses (For example, trainer for CePSWaM course conducted by EiMAS
Training Provider – 30 CPD)

(7) Discharging responsibilities as a consultant/service provider for

pollution control equipment (e.g. IETS, APCS, Scheduled waste) – 20
CPD

(8) Acting as an external auditor (for example conducting external audit on

IETS matters, scheduled waste management or air pollution control systems
– 10 CPD).

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 (9) Submission of Field Training Report (applicable only for newly certified
Competent Person)

Competent Persons shall prepare and submit field training report within one
(1) year from the date of being certified by DOE as a Competent Person.
Any Competent Persons who prepare and submit field training report will be
granted appropriate CPD hours (30 CPD / report).

Note: A maximum of 30 CPD hours can be obtained from the combination of the
sub-activities under 4.1(b) above.

(c) Category 3: Other Activities

If a Competent Person believes that he is undertaking other types of training
activities not described above, he can make a submission to the DOE to
request for appropriate CPD hours.

5.0 COMPUTATION OF CPD HOUR

5.1 Please refer to Table 2 for the calculation on CPD Hours for each activity.

5.2 Carry Forward CPD Hours

(a) A Competent Person who has accumulated more than fifty (50) CPD hours
may carry forward excess CPD hours to the subsequent year. However, the
excess CPD hours can be carried forward for one (1) year only.

(b) A Competent Person who intends to carry forward his excess CPD hours
must submit to the DOE through NRCEP system for verification and
approval.

5.3 Insufficient CPD Hours

(a) In the event that the CPD hours accumulated by a Competent Person are
less than 25 CPD Hours, the DOE will remove the name of the Competent
Person from the National Registry of Certified Environmental Professionals
(NRCEP).

(b) Any Competent Persons whose name has been removed and desires to be
reinstated must satisfy the minimum requirement of fifty (50) CPD hours for
reinstatement.

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6.0 SUBMISSION OF CPD RECORDS

6.1 Every Competent Person shall submit online his CPD records yearly together
with his application for the renewal of registration with the DOE through NRCEP
by 31st January.

6.2 CPD hour collection start from 1st January until 31st December the next year after
the certification of the Competent Person.

6.3 The DOE will not approve an application for the renewal of registration if the
applicant does not comply with the CPD requirements as stated in Clause 2.1.

6.4 The DOE will revoke the registration of any Competent Person at any time if the
DOE is satisfied that the renewal of registration has been obtained by submission
of fraudulent documents.

7.0 SUPPORTING EVIDENCE

7.1 Every CPD activities must be submitted complete with supporting evidence to
proof the activities is done by Competent Person. Please refer Table 2 for details
on supporting evidence needed for every CPD activities.

8.0 CORRESPONDENCE

All correspondences relating to CPD requirements should be addressed to: -

Environment Institute of Malaysia

Kampus Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
43600 Bangi
SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN
Tel: 603-89261500
Fax: 603-89261700
Mr. Ahmad Saifful Salihin (saifful@doe.gov.my)
Mr. Mohd Aizuddin Ab Razak (aizuddin@doe.gov.my)
Mr. M. Yazir Mohd Rashid (ziera@doe.gov.my)

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 Table 2: Activities and CPD Hour Values

CPD Hour Value

Maximum
CPD Activities Description CPD Hour per CPD
Activity Hours
Allowed
Per Annum

(A) Category I: Enhancing Technical Knowledge (minimum CPD hours required - 20)

1. Attending Environmental Training (a) Organized by EiMAS or DOE

Courses at national or international 6 CPD/day 50
Supporting evidence: level:
Certificate of attendance

Environmental training courses

by EiMAS:
●Industrial Water Pollution
Control (e.g. CePIETSO-PCP,
CePIETSO-BP)
● Sewage Treatment Plant
Operation (CePSTPO)
●Industrial Air Pollution Control
(e.g. CePSO, CePBFO)
●Hazardous Waste
Management (CePSWaM)
●Cleaner Production / Green
Audit
●Palm Oil Mill Effluent Control
(CePOME)

(b) Organized by others, either 6 CPD/day 50

at national or international
level (approved by EiMAS
with a specific CPD hour)

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2. Self-study Studying 1 CPD / book, 5
Supporting evidence: books/journals/articles on journal or
Summary of book/journal/article environmental field article
consist of title, author, date,
reference

3. Attending Environmental (a) Organized by EiMAS or 6 CPD / day 12

Conventions, Conferences,
Seminars, Workshops, Talks,
Technical Visits, etc.
Supporting evidence:
Certificate of attendance
DOE, either at national
level or International level
(b) Organized by others, 4 CPD / day 12
either at national or
international level

(c) Technical Visits 2 CPD/ day 4

4. Presenting Technical Papers Preparation and presentation of

Supporting evidence: papers for conventions,
certificate of appreciation/ conferences, seminars,
invitation letter from organizer workshops, talks, courses, etc.
(a) Organized by EiMAS / DOE at 3 CPD / hr 12
national level or international
level

(b) Organized by others, at 3 CPD / hr 12

national level or International
level

(c) Acting as a trainer for courses 3 CPD / hr 20

for DOE staff organized by
DOE or EiMAS

5. Publishing Books and Technical (a) Published books related to 30 CPD/ book 30
Articles* the profession
Supporting evidence:
Proof of authorship of articles or (b) Published articles in 15 CPD/article 30
books referred journal related to
the profession

(c) Published articles on 10 CPD/article 10

environmental field in
other journals or
publications

(d) Published article in 1 CPD/article 5

company bulletin

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6. Conducting Research and Pursued
Undergraduate / Post Graduate
Studies
Supporting evidence:
Offer letter from university
7. Participating in Environmental
Education and Public Awareness
Supporting evidence:
Proof of attendance
(B) Category 2: Maintaining constant contact with operational aspects
(maximum CPD hours allowed - 30)
8. Maintaining constant contact with
operational aspects of the subject
area of certification (for example,
IETS operation, or scheduled
waste management, or air
pollution control systems etc.)
Supporting evidence:
a) Appointment letter as
competent person from
company/ Job description
b) Copy of reports
c) Copy of forms signed by
competent person
d) Appointment letter as
regulatory compliance officer
(a) Full time study for a 10 CPD/ 10
minimum of twelve months course
duration on subjects
related to environmental
engineering, environmental
science or environmental
related field
(b) Part-time Study / 5 CPD/ course 5
Correspondence / Distance
Learning Course for a
duration of not less than
one year leading to an
Undergraduate/Post-
Graduate Degree related to
environmental engineering,
environmental science or
environmental related field
(c) Other related studies as ** **
approved by the DOE
Participating in environmental 2 CPD / 10
education and awareness activity
program at international,
national and local level
(a) Discharging responsibilities 20 CPD 20
as a Competent Person
(e.g. as an IETS operator or
a scheduled waste
manager or a scrubber
operator)
(b) Discharging responsibilities 5 CPD / 15
for preparing compliance report
reports [e.g. IETS reports
for Performance
Monitoring Committee
Meetings, or scheduled
waste status report or a
scrubber status report for
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 from company/ Job the company: (3
description reports/year = 1 report x 5
e) Attendance list consist of date CPD]
and time (start & finish). Copy
of training module (c) Discharging responsibilities 10 CPD 10
f) Invitation letter from for reviewing or/and
DOE/EiMAS signing prescribed forms
g) Copy of service contract from [e.g. the OER (12
company times/year), Scheduled
Waste Inventory or / and
the Consignment Notes (e-
SWIS)

(d) Discharging responsibilities 10 CPD 10

as a regulatory compliance
officer (e.g. IER, or SWR, or
CAR)

(e) Acting as in house or 3 CPD / hr 12

external trainer (e.g.
training on IETS matters or
scheduled waste
management, or air
pollution control systems)

(f) Discharging responsibilities 30 CPD 30

as a trainer for EiMAS
competency courses

(g) Discharging responsibilities 20 CPD 20

as a consultant/service
provider for pollution
control equipment (e.g.
IETS, APCS, Scheduled
waste)

9. Acting as an external auditor Acting as an external auditor 10 CPD 10

Supporting evidence: (e.g. conducting external audit
Audit report on IETS matters or scheduled
waste management, or air
pollution control systems)

10. Submission of Field Training Submission of Field Training 30 CPD / 30

Report (applicable only for newly Report (applicable only for report
certified Competent Person) newly certified Competent
Supporting evidence: Person)
Copy of FTR cover page
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 11. Others Other activities as approved by ** **
the DOE

Note: * One (1) copy of Thesis/Research, Seminar Paper or Report shall be presented to the DOE for
records
** CPD hour values to be determined by the DOE

ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTE OF MALAYSIA (EiMAS)

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT MALAYSIA
SEPTEMBER 2018

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