Initial Driver Education Instructor Certification

Upon completing the Traffic Safety Education course, candidate instructors apply for a certificate through Western Oregon University (WOU) that shows they have passed the Traffic Safety Education Program and are eligible to be hired as an instructor by one of the Oregon Department of Transportation-Transportation Safety Division (ODOT-TSD) approved driver education programs. All instructors teaching in an ODOT-TSD approved program must hold a current certification card from ODOT/WOU. 

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• Upon completing the Traffic Safety Education course, candidate instructors apply for a certificate through WOU.  You have one year from the date you passed the course to apply for certification.  Once you pass your course, you will receive an email with instructions regarding your certification.  You will need to provide the following documentation for certification:   
• Current First Aid certification.
• Current CPR certification.
• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules.
• Be sure to provide WOU your current email address – the majority of correspondence regarding certification will come via email.
• WOU will determine if the instructor meets requirements, per OAR.
  • If qualified, WOU will mail you a certificate, welcome letter and certification card. Provide your employer with a copy of your certificate upon receipt
  • If not qualified, WOU will notify applicants of items needing correction.
• Certification is valid for two years. Please check the Driver Education Instructor Re-Certification page for re-certification requirements.