Renew your CERTLOC Certifications

Certified Locators have two options for renewing their 2-year certification: either retake the practical assessment (available in Capital Cities only) or accumulate 50 Continuing Education Units (CEU) over the 2-year period.

The Certified Locator certification is valid for 2 years. The Certified Locator certificate shows you the date the certification became valid and the expiry date.

To renew your Locator Certification, you must accumulate 50 Continuing Education Units (CEU) within the 2-year period from your certification date.
Continuing Education Units (CEU) can be earned as follows:

50 CEU: Attend a CERTLOC Locator Development Session OR a 1-Day Underground Asset Location Refresher Course (Request details now).

50 CEU: Attend a National Utility Locating Contractors Association of Australia Ltd (NULCA) approved RIICCM202E 2-day course.

40 CEU: Provision of evidence of work in the locating industry for the previous 24 months by submitting a logbook. 500 hours is required (download template here).

30 CEU: Provision of evidence of work in the locating industry for the previous 24 months by submitting a logbook. 200 hours is required (download template here).

25 CEU: Attendance at a CERTLOC recognised damage prevention conference (e.g. No-Dig Downunder).

20 CEU: Completion of the Locate Management Institute Utility Advanced Line Locating Course.

15 CEU: Current membership of NULCA.

10 CEU: Completion of the CERTLOC Pre-Excavation Management Webinar  (It's free for Certified Locators. Email Jane at [email protected] for the discount code).

10 CEU: Completion of CERTLOC technical webinars with a guest speaker.

10 CEU: Completion of Locate Management Institute Hydrovacing course.

10 CEU: Attendance at a NULCA general meeting.

Renewal fees for a 2-year period are:

Certified Locators: $790+ GST
*A discounted renewal fee of $590 + GST is available to National Utility Locating Contractors Association of Australia (NULCA) members and associate members until 30 June 2025. Please contact NULCA for the current NULCA member discount code.

If you don’t pay your renewal fee by the due date, your Certified Locator certificate will expire, preventing you from conducting locating activities under the Certified Locating Organisation (CLO) Agreement.

Restoring Your Certified Locator Certificate
You have six (6) months from the expiry date to restore your certificate, provided you meet the required Continuing Education Units (CEU). A restoration fee will apply, and your certificate will be reinstated from the original expiry date.

If more than 6 months have passed since your certificate expired, you will need to re-enrol in the Certified Locator Program and meet the current assessment requirements.

RENEW CERTIFICATION

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.