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Leading Safety
Evaluation & Excellence

become a certified locator
Become a Certified Locating Organisation (CLO)

We Assess

CERTLOC Certifications provides superior assessment expertise and resources for locators and the organisations they work for.

We empower locators to assess their competence prior to enrolling in our industry-leading certification process, which consists of theory and practical components. We require locators to have appropriate equipment prior to undertaking the practical assessment.

Certification will be granted only once our high standards have been met. These standards exist to ensure worker safety and safer worksites and communities.

Sometimes less knowledgeable locators aren’t able to meet those high standards. We work closely with them so they can undertake a reassessment with the goal of achieving certification.

We Certify

CERTLOC Certifications provides the superior certification expertise for organisations and the locators that work for them.

We certify organisations that meet these set criteria:

  • They employ Certified Locators who can identify whatever asset may be present onsite.
  • They use current and properly calibrated plant location and gas detection equipment.
  • They use appropriate safety gear and equipment to detect and deal with unsafe conditions.
  • They carry business insurance appropriate to plant location work for the protection of their clients, infrastructure and business.

Certification will be granted only once our high standards have been met. These standards exist to ensure worker safety and safer worksites and communities.

A formal agreement is established between us (as representative of the asset owner) and the locating organisation, that gives their employees who are Certified Locators, access permissions to utility networks to locate that utility’s assets.

Become a certified locator

Get CERTLOC Certified

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CERTLOC CERTIFIED LOCATOR

Have your locating expertise recognised and take the next step in your career. Enrol in our industry-leading certification program and start the process to get CERTLOC Certified today. Certification will set you apart from uncertified locators.

Get certified
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CERTLOC CERTIFIED vacuum excavator

Vacuum Excavator Certification - launching late 2025.

 
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CERTLOC CERTIFIED LOCATing organisation (CLO)

Have your diligence recognised and take the next step to achieve Certified Locating Organisation (CLO) status. Join our industry-leading certification program and get CERTLOC Certified today. Certification will provide you with access permissions to utility networks to locate that utility’s assets.

Enquire today

Is your certification up to date?

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Frequently Asked Questions

To become a Certified Locator, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Read the Candidate Manual 
The first step in the process is to read the Candidate Manual before enrolling in the Certified Locator Program, to understand what to expect from the practical assessment and decide if you are ready to enrol. See the online 'Candidate Manual'.

Step 2: Complete the Free Self-Assessment
Complete the free online self-assessment. This assessment asks you a series of questions about your expertise and helps you determine if you're ready to undertake the Certified Locator Program.

Step 3: Enrol in the Certified Locator Program
On successful completion of the self-assessment, you will be asked to formally enrol in the Certified Locator Program and pay the assessment fee. Enrolment into the Program must be completed before you can attempt and pass the theory assessment and book in for your practical assessment.

Step 4: Complete the Theory Assessment
After successful enrolment, you will receive an email with log-in details, that allows you to access the theory assessment. You can log in and attempt the theory assessment when it suits you. Please allow at least 1 hour to complete the theory assessment, which consists of 70 multiple-choice questions about locating. You need to score at least 96% within two attempts to proceed to the next stage.

Step 5: Schedule your Practical Assessment
Once you successfully pass the theory assessment, you will be contacted by CERTLOC to schedule your practical assessment, or you can book a practical assessment by clicking 'Book a Practical Assessment' online.

Step 6: Attend the Practical Assessment
Prior to undertaking the practical assessment, please ensure you have all the required equipment. See the online 'Required Equipment List' which is also in the Candidate Manual. You will be required to acknowledge that you have read the Candidate Manual at the practical assessment. During the practical field assessment, an Assessor will evaluate your ability to identify underground assets/utilities by performing locating procedures to accepted industry standards. During the practical assessment you must also present appropriate equipment. At the practical assessment you must present with all the required equipment.

Step 7: Certification
Upon successfully passing the practical assessment, you will receive your CERTLOC Certified Locator Certificate, officially recognising you as a CERTLOC Certified Locator. To assist you in promoting your Certified Locator status, we will provide you with a CERTLOC Certified Locator Partner Kit.

Plan Enquiry

Before your assessment, you must complete a BYDA enquiry for the assessment location in your name. Ensure all plans are legible by printing them in A3 size or displaying them on a 10-inch tablet (minimum size).

Preparation

The assessment begins with an equipment inspection (you must present with all the required equipment), Telstra plan reading task, safety briefing, and an explanation of the locating scenario and required marking method. You will also be required to acknowledge that you have read the Candidate Manual.

Locating Process

You have two hours to perform the locating. The assessor needs to see enough of your work to evaluate your competency, including using Direct Connect and Induction Clamp on at least two or three asset types.

Assessor's Role

During the assessment, the assessor will observe your process, take notes and photos, and occasionally ask questions or inspect connection points. They will generally observe you from a distance to give you space to perform your work.

After successfully completing the theory and practical assessments, you will receive your CERTLOC Certified Locator Certificate, officially recognising you as a CERTLOC Certified Locator, usually within 24 hours. To assist you in promoting your Certified Locator status, we will provide you with a CERTLOC Certified Locator Partner Kit.

Next, you will be contacted to discuss access to Telstra pits and manholes through the Certified Locating Organisation (CLO) program. The CLO program ensures compliance with utility network requirements.

Once you are registered in this program, you'll receive a photo ID card issued through your CLO employer.

Please note, only Certified Locators registered with a CLO can access Telstra infrastructure for locating purposes.

Certified Locator Certificates are valid for 2 years. To renew your certification, you must accumulate 50 Continuing Education Units (CEU) within that period.

Technical Tips for Certified Locators – Edition 5

Understanding Traceable Rods for Efficient Location
March, 2025 Resources

Discover essential tips and techniques for using traceable rods to efficiently locate non-conductive assets like fibre optic cables and PVC pipes. Enhance your knowledge with insights on capacitance, connection to carriers, and proper grounding techniques.

Read more

Technical Tips for Certified Locators – Edition 4

Case Study: Exploring the Impact of Earth Stake Distance, Earth Mats, and Ground Conditions on Signal Strength
December, 2024 Resources

Accurate and reliable locating depends on the strength and quality of the signal transmitted and received along a target asset. In this edition, we examine how the distance of the earth stake from the target asset, the use of earth mats, and the ground conditions affects the resultant current and signal strength.

Read more
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CERTLOC LTD is ISO 9001 certified

CERTLOC is proud to have achieved ISO 9001 Certification of quality management system standards for the provision of the Certified Locator, Certified Locating Organisation Program, the delivery of the Pre-Excavation Management Course and Skills Development Program.

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