Continuing Education Requirements for Driving Training School Instructors

Maintaining compliance with continuing education requirements is important for safety and to uphold high professional standards in DOL-administered traffic safety education programs.

DTS instructors must submit a renewal application every two years. Documentation of compliance with the TSE continuing education requirement is part of the renewal process.

Continuing Education Requirements

You must complete 8 hours of continuing education every two years. (Or an average of 4 hours per year) The coursework requirement must be verified on the instructor's renewal application.
You must sign in and out at every workshop and return the workshop evaluation. The DOL, like OSPI, has a form (see DOL website) to list the workshops attended over the two-year period. But a separate clock-hour verification form does not have to be issued for each course or workshop, as OSPI requires. The DOL tracks the hours for each instructor using the sign-in and sign-out form at each workshop/conference. The names are then entered into the database at the DOL office — a service not provided by OSPI. This is your backup documentation. DOL will accept an official OSPI clock-hour form (FORM SPI 1125) as proof, as well as a certificate of completion from a conference sponsored by ADTSEA, DSAA, etc.
The driver training school instructor is required to verify on your renewal application that you satisfied the continuing education requirement. Keep your own record of your attendance at workshops/conferences. LikeOSPI/public school TSE programs, the entire DTS program/school's approval is in jeopardy if individual instructors are not in compliance with continuing education requirements.
If a DTS instructor also teaches TSE in the public schools, the public school continuing education requirements must be fulfilled as well. View the requirements.
If the DOL, the PDSAW, or WTSEA is not the sponsor of the workshop or conference, it is advised to check with an authority at the DOL if you are in doubt about whether a course you are considering will satisfy the continuing education requirements. The DOL has allowed approved Trainer-of-Trainers at their respective driving schools to offer in-house training if they meet certain requirements.

Contact Information

Department of Licensing (DOL)
Driver Training Schools Program
Phone: 360-664-6692
Fax: 360-570-4976
tse@dol.wa.gov

Professional Associations

There are two professional associations in Washington State for TSE instructors/teachers. Both welcome members from either public schools or commercial driver training schools. There are also two national TSE teacher associations.

Legal References

RCW 46.82.320 (1)
No person affiliated with a driver training school shall give instruction in the operation of an automobile for a fee without a license issued by the director for that purpose. An application for an original or renewal instructor's license shall be filed with the director, containing such information as prescribed by this chapter and by the director, accompanied by an application fee set by rule of the department, which shall in no event be refunded. An application for a renewal instructor's license must be accompanied by proof of the applicant'scontinuing professional development that meets the standards adopted by the director. If the applicant satisfactorily meets the application and examination requirements prescribed in RCW 46.82.330, the applicant shall be granted a license valid for a period of two years from the date of issuance.
WAC 308-108-080 (3)
For instructor licenses that expire on or after July 1, 2007, each renewal application must be accompanied by proof of at least 8 hours of continuing professional development approved by the director.

[Note: The requirement prior to 2007 was eight hours per year, but in 2007, the renewal period was extended from one to two years. The DOL had stated its intention to increase the CE requirement to 16 hours over two years to maintain the 8-hour-per-year standard, but the language hasn't been adopted yet. So, currently, only eight hours are required every renewal period of two years.]