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County Officials Certificate Training Program

About COCTP

The County Officials Certificate Training Program (COCTP) is a comprehensive training program administered by the University of Tennessee (UT) County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS). COCTP is designed to provide specialized, office-specific, technical, administrative, managerial, and leadership training to elected officials and their employees. The goal is to help them run their office more efficiently and effectively. It also offers a comprehensive knowledge of the inner workings of county government. CTAS believes that having a broader understanding of county government operations will help officials and their employees serve their constituencies better. In short, graduates of COCTP will obtain a thorough knowledge of county government and will be designated as Certified Public Administrators.

Program Fees

$300 Enrollment Fee

A one-time fee paid to enroll in the COCTP. Participants may enroll using k@te (the CTAS training environment). COCTP course credit will only be given for courses completed within 180 days of enrollment fee payment.

$300 Capstone Fee

A one-time fee paid to attend the Capstone event of the COCTP. You will receive an invitation from CTAS notifying you of your eligibility.

$100 Annual Recertification Fee

A yearly fee assessed to all officials and employees who obtain the Certified Public Administrator designation. It is valid for one year and must be paid by September 1st of each year. This fee is waived during the first year of recertification due to attendance at the Capstone event.

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COCTP Upcoming Training
Date Title Location
01/16/2025 ASK CTAS: Web Services & Eli - (CO) 1 credit Online (Zoom)
01/28/2025 Crisis Communication: Communicating During Emergencies (CH)-1.5 credits Online (Zoom)
02/05/2025 Budget Series: Working with the Budget Committee - (CO) 1.5. credits Online (Zoom)
02/12/2025 Budget Series: Restricted Revenue - (CO) 1.5 credits Online (Zoom)
02/19/2025 Budget Series: Revenue Sources - (CO) 1.5 credits Online (Zoom)
02/26/2025 Budget Series: Reappraisals and Ratios - (CO) 1.5 credits Online (Zoom)
03/11/2025 ASK CTAS: Navigating and Using K@TE (CO)- 1 credit Online (Zoom)
03/13/2025 Effective Communication Strategies for Public Servants (CO)- 3 credits Nashville
03/18/2025 Effective Communication Strategies for Public Servants (CO)- 3 credits Knoxville
03/20/2025 Effective Communication Strategies for Public Servants (CO)- 3 credits Jackson
04/02/2025 County Operating Budget - (CORE) 4 Credits Jackson
04/08/2025 County Operating Budget - (CORE) 4 Credits Chattanooga
04/09/2025 County Operating Budget - (CORE) 4 Credits Knoxville
04/17/2025 County Operating Budget - (CORE) 4 Credits Franklin
05/06/2025 Ask CTAS: Funding, Managing and Operating Solid Waste (CO)- 1 credit Online (Zoom)
06/24/2025 COCTP Capstone Event Franklin
07/08/2025 Ask CTAS: Are You Ready? County Officials Guide to Emergency Management(CO)- 1 credit Online (Zoom)
07/15/2025 Understanding FMLA and ADA Laws (CH) - 3 Credits Nashville
07/17/2025 Understanding FMLA and ADA Laws (CH) - 3 Credits Jackson
07/22/2025 Understanding FMLA and ADA Laws (CH) - 3 Credits Knoxville
08/12/2025 Internal Controls - (Core) 4 Credits Memphis
08/13/2025 Internal Controls - (Core) 4 Credits Jackson
08/19/2025 Internal Controls - (Core) 4 Credits Chattanooga
08/20/2025 Internal Controls - (Core) 4 Credits Franklin
08/21/2025 Internal Controls - (Core) 4 Credits Clarksville
08/27/2025 Internal Controls - (Core) 4 Credits Knoxville
09/03/2025 County Purchasing (CORE)- 4 Credits Knoxville
09/09/2025 ASK CTAS: Greenbelt Overview & Expansion (CO)- 1 credit Online (Zoom)
09/23/2025 County Purchasing (CORE)- 4 Credits Franklin
10/02/2025 County Purchasing (CORE)- 4 Credits Jackson
10/07/2025 ASK CTAS: Sheriff’s Liability (CO)- 1 credit Online (Zoom)
11/04/2025 ASK CTAS: Creating HR Successes in County Government (CO)- 1 credit Online (Zoom)
11/06/2025 Meeting Management: How to Run Efficient and Productive Meetings - (CH) 1.5 credits Online (Zoom)
11/13/2025 Open Records (CH) - 1.5 Credits Nashville

Contact

For questions or comments, contact the CTAS training staff:

(615) 532-3555