Eligibility Requirements

Establishing baseline professional readiness for CUOCP® certification

Eligibility Overview

CUOCP® candidates must possess relevant professional experience in utility operations, capital programs, or related leadership roles within regulated, safety-critical environments.

Eligibility is based on professional background and demonstrated responsibility, not academic credentials alone.

Candidates are responsible for confirming eligibility prior to registration. NACUP reserves the right to audit applications and revoke eligibility if misrepresentation is identified.

Professional Eperience Expectations

While NACUP does not mandate a fixed number of years, eligible candidates typically have:

  • Progressive responsibility within utility operations or capital environments

  • Exposure to decision-making impacting safety, reliability, cost, or compliance

  • Experience coordinating across engineering, operations, contractors, or regulators

  • Accountability for outcomes, not just task execution

This credential is intended for professionals operating at or approaching leadership scope.

Typical Candidate Profiles

Eligible candidates often include:

  • Operations directors, managers, and supervisors

  • Utility engineers and project managers

  • Construction directors, managers, and supervisors

  • Capital program leaders

  • Asset management professionals

  • Cross-functional utility leaders

  • Emergency prepardness professionals

  • Utility contractors

Conceptual illustration of utility infrastructure systems, power transmission, and modern capital planning within the energy and utilities sector.

Not Intended For

CUOCP® is not designed for:

  • Students or recent graduates without professional utility experience

  • Individuals seeking introductory or classroom-based training

  • Roles without accountability for operational or capital decisions

  • Vendor-specific or employer-specific certification needs

Next Steps

Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to review:

Eligibility questions may be directed to: support@nacup.org