Why Certificate Holders are Required to Renew Each Year
The Technical Certification Program (TCP) is required to generate its own revenue to cover its operating costs. Certificate application fees cover almost half of the operating costs; renewal fees make up the rest. Your renewal fees help to support the TCP to provide quality certification services that are up-to-date with current practices and technology, and that comply with State and federal regulations and guidelines. This ensures that the certificate you hold remains valid and valuable. First renewal notices are mailed three months before the certificate expiration date.

Why Non-Members Must Pay an Additional $156 per Year
CWEA’s mission is to provide educational and information services to our members. We use the membership dues ($156) to cover the costs of these services. We offer the technical certification as one of the services for CWEA members; we also certify qualified individuals who are not members. As mentioned above, TCP must be self-sustaining. Certificate holders who are already members help to offset the TCP's operating cost through their membership dues and certificate renewal fees. Certificate holders who are not members are required to pay a non-member fee, above the basic certificate renewal fee, to help offset their portion of the overhead costs. Non-member fees must be paid only once each year, and cover all certificate renewals for that year. Certificate holders who wish to may use the non-member fees as membership payment, thus becoming CWEA members and having access to all the benefits and services.

How Certificate Renewal Fees Are Calculated
Certificate renewal fees are calculated according to the Certificate Renewal Schedule given on the opposite side of your renewal notice. If you are not a current CWEA member or your CWEA membership expires before the Certificate Renewal Date, you must pay the additional non-member fee of $156 (you may use this payment to join CWEA or to renew your current CWEA membership). As mentioned above, $156 fee needs to be paid only once each year and covers all certificates you hold that expire within a year of the Certificate Renewal Date. For example, if you pay the $156 fee when renewing a membership that expires in January 2015, it will cover any certificates you may hold that will expire July 2015.

If You Are Not An Association Member And Pay The Non-member Fee You May Become A Member At No Additional Cost
Payment of the $156 fee entitles you to an annual CWEA membership at no additional cost. However, you must indicate that you would like to become a member by checking the box to the left of the Total Amount Due given on the front side of the certificate renewal notice. As a CWEA member you will receive CWEA’s quarterly membership magazine and access to the online membership directory, and you will qualify for discounts on CWEA training and educational events, conferences, and publications. Certificate holders in Michigan become Michigan Water Environment Association Members (for more information about MWEA membership contact Amanda at 517-641-7377).