Public safety telecommunicators in Washington are now subject to formal continuing education (CE) requirements under the guidance of the state’s 9‑1‑1 Certification Board. This effort helps standardize training across agencies, improve job performance, and reduce liability. Whether you manage a large PSAP or oversee training at a smaller agency, staying compliant with Washington’s CE standards is now a key responsibility.
What Are the Requirements?
Washington 9‑1‑1 telecommunicators must complete at least 24 hours of continuing education every year to maintain their certification. This applies to all currently certified dispatchers, regardless of whether they were grandfathered in or newly certified.
CE hours must be:
- Completed annually
- Tracked and documented by the employing agency
- Relevant to the skills, knowledge, and performance expectations of 9‑1‑1 professionals
Agencies are responsible for maintaining accurate training records and ensuring that each certified employee completes the required CE before the annual deadline.
What Qualifies as Continuing Education?
The Washington 9‑1‑1 Certification Board defines CE as training that maintains or improves the knowledge and skills necessary for job performance. Approved topics include:
- Emergency call handling procedures
- Crisis communication and stress management
- Active listening and emotional regulation
- Mental health and bias awareness
- Ethics and professionalism in public safety
- Legal liability, documentation, and courtroom testimony
- Fire, EMS, and law enforcement dispatch protocols
- Human trafficking, missing persons, and suicide intervention
- Technology updates, CAD/RMS systems, and policy changes
Training must reflect the current best practices and be relevant to the dispatcher’s role. Agencies can use internal, external, or vendor-provided training as long as it aligns with the board’s expectations.
How Dispatch Pro Can Help
Dispatch Pro by Police Legal Sciences (PLS) is an online, reality-based training program that aligns with Washington’s CE requirements. It provides:
- Monthly Lessons: Fresh, relevant content focused on real 9‑1‑1 calls and dispatcher decision-making
- Mental Health Training: Techniques for managing stress, regulating emotions, and recognizing caller distress
- EMD Recertification Credit: Lessons approved for CE by IAED and APCO
- Certificate and Lesson Plan Export: Easy documentation for CE audits or internal records
- Flexible Delivery: Lessons can be completed individually or as a group, on any schedule
Dispatch Pro supports your agency’s training goals while helping dispatchers build critical skills and stay compliant with Washington’s new CE standards.
Want to learn how Dispatch Pro can meet your agency’s CE requirements?
Request a demo or contact us to explore how easy it can be to keep your team current, confident, and compliant.
Sources:
https://mil.wa.gov/911-certification-board
https://mil.wa.gov/asset/67f00e2c4af3b/Updated%20WA%20State%20PST%20Certification%20Handbook.pdf