Maintenance of competence

The Maintenance of competence (MOC) scheme is a mandatory requirement for individuals holding a practising certificate to ensure they maintain the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the statutory function.

If you hold a practising certificate, you will need to undertake specified hours of recognised learning for areas of competence over the five-year validity period of your certificate. This applies to all practising certificates issued by the Resources Regulator. Key features include:

• Customised learning: Requirements vary based on your specific certificate type.
• Flexible learning options: Includes both formal and informal learning activities.
• Regular updates: Scheme requirements may be updated to reflect industry changes.

Key steps

1. Obtain your practising certificate

• Apply through the Regulator Portal
• MOC requirements begin from the date your certificate is granted

2. Understand your learning requirements

• Review the guide to the MOC scheme (PDF, 867.42 KB)
• Identify the specific hours and topics required for your certificate type
• It is your responsibility to be aware of the learning requirements over the period of your practising certificate

3. Engage in learning activities 

• Participate in formal courses, seminars, and workshops
• Undertake self-directed learning and on-the-job training
• Attend industry conferences and webinars

 4. Record your learning 

• Use logbook template (XLSX, 441.47 KB) to track your activities or alternatively you may use your own log recording system such as suitable apps that may be available.
• Document details such as: 
  • date of learning 
  • topic covered 
  • type of learning (e.g. formal, informal)
  • hours spent (Note: there are strict rules about claimable hours)
• Keep supporting evidence (e.g. certificates, attendance records) 

5. Prepare for audits

• Audits are conducted randomly, on an annual basis
• External organisations contracted by the Regulator perform these audits 
• Be ready to provide your logbook and supporting evidence if you are selected 
• A report on the outcomes of the auditing program for each financial year is provided to the NSW Mining and Petroleum Competence Board
• For more details refer to the fact sheet: Auditing of WHS practising certificate holders for maintenance of competence

 6. Renew your certificate 

• Apply for renewal every 5 years 
• Submit a declaration of compliance with MOC requirements
• No need to submit your logbook unless requested

Special considerations

In response to the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Resources Regulator, in collaboration with the Mining and Petroleum Competence Board, has approved a 12-month (20% of learning hours) dispensation for MOC requirements. This applies to all practicing certificate holders who held a certificate between April 1 2020, and March 31 2021. 

As a result, current certificate holders will only need to complete 80% of their MOC requirements during the five-year certificate period. This dispensation does not apply to holders of practising certificates granted after this time.

Learning from disasters

The minimum requirement for maintaining competence is to complete either the Regulator's one-day Learning from Disasters program or at least 7 hours of other formal learning within the five-year certificate period. 

The Regulator's Learning from Disasters webpage provides information on various learning options, including 3 programs that can contribute to the 7-hour requirement. One of these options is a one-day course delivered by approved training providers, which are listed with their contact details on the webpage.

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Related information

Statutory functions

Practising certificates