Professional Certification Program

In order to become a WaterSense irrigation partner, professionals in the industry must first become certified through a WaterSense labeled certification program. This process helps ensure that WaterSense irrigation partners are trained on designing, installing, and maintaining water-efficient irrigation systems.

Currently, the following irrigation professionals can become certified through WaterSense labeled programs in the following areas:

• Designers establish specifications and design drawings for irrigation projects.
• Installation and maintenance professionals install, maintain and repair irrigation systems.
• Auditors gather irrigation water-use data and test landscape irrigation systems.

The following programs have received the WaterSense label:

• Irrigation Association's Certified Irrigation Designer (CID) program (landscape/turf specialties only)
• Irrigation Association's Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC) program
• Irrigation Association's Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA) program
• Irrigation Association's Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor (CGIA) program
• Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership's Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program
  • Contra Costa Water District's Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program
  • Utah State University Cooperative Extension's Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program
  • Central Iron County Water Conservancy District's Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program
  • San Joaquin Delta College's Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program
  • City of Santa Fe's Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program
  • City of Gillette's Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program
  • Inland Empire Job Corps Center's Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program
  • California School of Garden Design’s Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program
• Rain Bird Certified Residential and Light Commercial Irrigation Installer program
• California Landscape Contractors Association's Certified Water Management Program
• New Jersey Landscape Irrigation Contractor Examining Board's Certification Program Note: No new partners being accepted until Amendments to the Landscape Irrigation Contractor Certification Act of 1991 (P.L. 2009, c. 229) are instituted.
• Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Irrigation Technology Center's Certified Texas Landscape Irrigation Auditor Program

If you're an irrigation professional who has been certified through one of these programs and you wish to partner with WaterSense, please visit the Become a Partner page.