CUOCP® Certification Overview
A rigorous, independent professional benchmark for utility operations and capital leadership

What Is CUOCP®

CUOCP® establishes a professional standard for leadership judgment in utility operations and capital programs by defining, educating, and independently assessing how experienced professionals are expected to think, decide, and lead in regulated, safety-critical environments.

The utility industry has long relied on experience, job titles, and internal promotion as proxies for leadership competence. CUOCP® closes the gap by formalizing expectations and validating leadership judgment against a defined, profession-wide standard.

CUOCP® was developed to validate applied professional judgment, leadership readiness, and cross-functional competence in highly regulated, safety-critical utility environments.

CUOCP® serves as a neutral, asset-agnostic professional standard applicable across electric, gas, water, and related utility sectors.

Who CUOCP® Is For

CUOCP® is designed for experienced utility professionals involved in:

• Utility operations leadership

• Capital program execution and oversight

• Engineering, construction, and asset management

• Emergency response and reliability decision-making

• Cross-functional coordination across operations, engineering, and external contractors

This credential is intended for professionals seeking to demonstrate readiness beyond job titles or tenure alone.

What CUOCP® Represents

Holding the CUOCP® credential signals that an individual has:

• Completed NACUP-developed CUOCP® preparation modules aligned to the professional standard

• Passed a rigorous, secure, third-party proctored examination

• Demonstrated sound judgment in real-world utility operations and capital leadership scenarios

• Met professional and ethical standards governed by NACUP

• Earned an independent credential not tied to any single employer, vendor, or training provider

  The CUOCP® credential represents verified professional readiness.

How the Certification Is Structured

The CUOCP® certification process includes:

1. Eligibility verification

2. Completion of NACUP CUOCP® preparation modules

   • Designed to define the standard

   • Scenario-based and leadership-focused

   • Aligned directly to exam expectations

3. Secure, third-party proctored examination

   • Exam-based validation of professional judgment

4. Professional standards and ethics compliance

5. Ongoing recertification to maintain active credential status

Training prepares candidates.
The examination determines certification.

Where to Go Next

Next steps:

• Review Eligibility Requirements

• Understand the Exam Structure & Domains

• Read Exam Policies & Procedures

• Learn about Recertification Requirements

• Proceed to Enroll in CUOCP®

Questions about the CUOCP® credential: info@nacup.org