Becoming a certified WaterSense professional demonstrates to your customers that you have the knowledge and experience to help them save both water and money.
And certification entitles you to exclusive EPA benefits. Such as:
Work opportunities for new home projects, federal facilities, and LEED® projects.
Use of the WaterSense promotional label on business cards and marketing items.
Increased exposure to customers through national recognition from EPA as an environmental steward.
Access to helpful tools and materials created by EPA.
Certification Programs
WaterSense offers the following certification programs for landscape irrigation professionals:
Irrigation System Design Program
The design program teaches you how to tailor irrigation systems to match the surrounding landscape and local climate conditions. This course is offered by the national Irrigation Association.
To become a Certified Irrigation Designer (CID), you must:
Register for the exam. Recommended: three years of irrigation-related experience or education in an irrigation-related field.
Pass the general landscape/turf exam. The four-hour general landscape/turf exam includes 150 equally weighted, multiple-choice questions on irrigation equipment, hydraulics, system components, scheduling, precipitation and application rates, spacing, soil-water-plant relationships, efficiency/uniformity, economics and pumps.
Pass a landscape/turf specialty irrigation exam. Candidates have four hours to complete a specialty exam in commercial, golf course or residential landscape irrigation. See the Certification Candidate Handbook for details on specialty exam content. Candidates may not take both the general landscape/turf exam and one of the landscape/turf specialty exams on the same day.
Irrigation System Installation and Maintenance Program
The installation and maintenance program teaches you how to select the appropriate equipment, lay out the site, and ensure proper scheduling for optimal irrigation system performance.
To become a Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC), you must:
Register for the exam. Recommended: three years of irrigation-related field experience.
Pass the irrigation contractor exam. The 3½-hour exam includes 150 equally weighted, multiple-choice questions on irrigation design, irrigation installation, irrigation scheduling, water management and conservation, maintenance and repair, federal laws and codes, and general business management. Candidates have 3½ hours to complete the exam.
The irrigation auditingprogram teaches you how to identify systems that are distributing water unequally or inefficiently and determine how to improve performance.
Are You Already Certified by the IA?
If you already have an Irrigation Association certification, and wish to become WaterSense certified, you’re in luck!
All you have to do is apply for the WaterSense certification and agree to uphold the terms of the WaterSense Partnership Agreement. No fees are required to become a WaterSense certified partner if you already hold an Irrigation Association certification.
To become a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA), you must:
Pass the irrigation auditor exam. The three-hour exam includes 125 equally weighted, multiple-choice questions on irrigation audit procedures, soil-plant relationships, irrigation scheduling and equipment/technology.
Submit a landscape irrigation audit. Audits must be completed independently and verified by an IA-certified professional in good standing within one year of acceptance into the certification program. (See audit guidelines and worksheets.)
The WWLP training presents a holistic watershed approach to outdoor water use efficiency, emphasizing plant, soil, water relationships, and rainwater as a resource. Certified professionals assess the proper functioning of irrigation systems, perform irrigation water audits, recommend watering schedules, and conduct whole-site evaluations. This certification also requires a solid understanding of the principles of watershed management in the landscape. The program is available throughout the United States.
To receive this certification, you must:
Complete the two-day (16 hour) WWLP coursework offered in your area by a G3 Qualified WWLP Trainer.
All exam fees for programs offered by the national Irrigation Association are $250 for national IA members and $495 for non-members. If you’re not currently an IA member, you can save money by joining now. Here’s how:
Because the Ohio IA is an affiliate member of the national association, all Ohio IA contractors are eligible for a $100 discount off of the $520 regular IA membership rate.
The IA membership year is Jan. 1-Dec. 31. If you join midyear, you must remit full-year dues ($420) with your IA membership application; however, your dues will be prorated in the second year of membership.
On February 28, 2019, Wolf Creek Company is sponsoring a full-day CIT training session.
You’ll learn about gluing and repairing PVC pipe, installing nozzles and adjusting heads, setting and repairing electric valves, and field and controller wiring techniques.
This is a recommended review for the CIT exam. The session will begin at 8:00 a.m. at Wolf Creek Company, 6700 Huntley Road in Columbus, Ohio.
Cost is $100 per attendee, and seats are limited!
Contact your Wolf Creek Representative
for more information.
Why Certification?
Certification gives you a competitive edge. By becoming a Certified Irrigation Technician you can: Add instant credibility with customers and employers. Increase job opportunities. Demonstrate your commitment to efficient water management. Qualify for the EPA WaterSense program.
CIT Overview
CITs are field technicians who install, maintain and repair irrigation systems. Typical duties include:
Cutting and joining pipe, as well as knowing the limitations of different piping systems and understanding basic hydraulics.
Laying out and installing piping and water delivery components; backflow prevention components; mechanical, hydraulic and electrical irrigation controls; and other irrigation system components.
Troubleshooting and repairing irrigation components and systems.
Becoming a Certified Irrigation Technician
To become a CIT, you must:
Register for the exam. Recommended: six months or 1,000 hours of irrigation-related field experience.
Pass the irrigation technician exam. The three-hour exam includes 100 equally weighted, multiple-choice questions on basic irrigation principles, basic electrical principles and basic hydraulics.
CIT training is scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Wolf Creek’s Columbus branch, located at 6700-B Huntley Road in Columbus, Ohio.
To register, contact your Wolf Creek representative, or click the registration box above. Space is limited; cost for the training is $100 per attendee.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to add instant credibility to employers and increase your marketability, all while demonstrating your commitment to efficient water management!
What Exactly Does a CIT Do?
Certified Irrigation Technicians install, maintain and repair irrigation systems.
This entails knowing the limitations of different piping systems and understand basic hydraulics, in order to properly cut and join pipe.
CIT’s lay out, install and repair all irrigation system components, including:
Piping and water delivery components
Backflow prevention components
Mechanical, hydraulic and electrical irrigation controls
To Become a CIT You Must:
Register for the exam. Recommended: six months or 1,000 hours of irrigation-related field experience.
Pass the irrigation technician exam. The three-hour exam includes 100 equally weighted, multiple-choice questions on basic irrigation principles, basic electrical principles and basic hydraulics.
December 3-7 at the Long Beach Convention
and Entertainment Center
Irrigation Show 2018 is the only national trade show designed specifically for irrigation professionals.
It’s where the irrigation industry comes together to network, learn and promote irrigation. (Did you know it’s also the world’s biggest irrigation trade show?)
Register by Nov. 1 to save on education classes, full registration and exhibits. Discount housing is also open, and attendees can book their hotel online.
To download the Irrigation Association’s 24-page Registration Brochure, click here.
More than 4,000 distributors, dealers, contractors, consultants and growers are expected to attend this year’s event in Long Beach, California. You’ll have the opportunity to:
Check out new and innovative products, technologies and services.
Explore new suppliers.
Learn about the latest business trends and irrigation best practices.
Network with current business partners and with industry leaders who share the Ohio IA’s commitment to efficient irrigation.
New This Year: Radio Row
Radio Row is a dedicated space for radio stations and podcasts from across the country to provide live broadcasts and interviews with irrigation professionals and experts attending the Irrigation Show. See some of your favorite ag radio and podcast hosts live and in action.
Extended Floor Hours
This year, show floor hours have been extended to 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5, and 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6.
Educational Opportunities
You can discover great ideas, learn new skills and earn CEUs with some of the industry’s most experienced professionals. Landscape irrigation topics for educational classes at this year’s Irrigation Show include:
Pumps and Soils
Landscape Irrigation Design
Advanced Irrigation Wiring Methods
Hydraulic Troubleshooting
Alternative Water for Landscape Irrigation
Landscape Drip Irrigation Design
Two-Wire Technology Systems for Landscapes
The Business of Landscape Irrigation Contracting
One-hour seminars will provide detailed coverage on a focused topic in landscape irrigation. Seminars are open to all attendees with a full registration. Participants will earn 1.00 CEU for each hour. This year’s topics will include:
Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers
Low-Impact Development and Irrigation
Impacts of Irrigation in Building Rating Systems
Using Drones to Improve Irrigation Management
Certification Exams
Exams for the following certification programs will also be available at this year’s Irrigation Show:
Last month, 18 Ohio-area landscaping contractors participated in Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT) training at two separate sites. These Irrigation Association training sessions were sponsored by Wolf Creek Company and Rain Bird.
During the training, contractors learned the basics of hydraulics and irrigation system installation and maintenance. In addition to an overview of irrigation system components and how they operate, attendees learned how to:
Glue and repair PVC pipe
Install nozzles and adjust sprinkler heads
Set and repair electric valves
Utilize various field and controller wiring techniques.
Trainees also prepared for the CIT exam, a prerequisite to receiving certification.
CIT Overview
A CIT is an entry-level irrigation field professional, and it is the newest certification offered by the Irrigation Association. CITs install, maintain and repair irrigation systems. Their responsibilities include:
Cutting and joining pipe, with an understanding of basic hydraulics, as well as the limitations of different piping systems.
Laying out and installing pipes and water delivery components; backflow prevention components; mechanical, hydraulic and electrical irrigation controls; and other irrigation system components.
Troubleshooting and repairing all irrigation components and systems.
Becoming a CIT
Certification gives you a competitive edge. By becoming a CIT, you can:
Add instant credibility with customers and employers.
Increase job opportunities.
Demonstrate your commitment to efficient water management.
Qualify for the EPA WaterSense program.
Interested? Here’s what you have to do:
Register for the exam. Recommended: six months or 1,000 hours of irrigation-related field experience.
Pass the irrigation technician exam. The three-hour exam includes 100 equally weighted, multiple-choice questions on basic irrigation principles, basic electrical principles and basic hydraulics.
Inclusion in the WaterSense online Directory of Certified Professionals.
Add instant credibility with customers and employers.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to add instant credibility to employers and increase your marketability, all while demonstrating your commitment to efficient water management!
This entails knowing the limitations of different piping systems and understand basic hydraulics, in order to properly cut and join pipe.
Extended Floor Hours
