Louisiana Irrigation Association
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Following is a copy of the Irrigation Association’s certification program. It can be accessed at the IA web site! | |
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Commitment to Excellence
The Irrigation Association General Certification Program Information
To plan an effective, efficient irrigation system, the Irrigation Specialist must have experience and education -- the cornerstones to effective water management. To that end, The Irrigation Association strives to provide comprehensive programs and services to Irrigation Specialists in the rapidly changing technology of the water resource field. Successfully completing the IA Certification Program means more than simply passing the examinations or studying a series of books or videotapes. Certification with The Irrigation Association is centered around a commitment to excellence in education and practice. It is this dedication that has persuaded over 5,000 Irrigation Specialists to strive to attain this level of professionalism. We encourage anyone who intends to provide professional assistance in any aspect of irrigation to participate in the certification program.
To apply to the program, you need at least one year of work experience in an irrigation-related field. In order to take an examination you must have at least three years of experience in an irrigation-related field, which may be combined with one year of acceptable education. (The Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor program has no prior experience requirement. However, you are required to take an IA approved auditor course before you will be allowed to take the exam.) To become certified, you must sign a Code of Ethics and pass the required examination(s). More complete details of the certification categories are given in the Bulletins of Information.
As a Certified Irrigation Specialist, you will develop a greater working knowledge of the profession and a greater sense of confidence that you're doing the job right. Certification can be the key to advancement in the irrigation industry, for an individual and for a business. You'll enjoy heightened prestige and credibility, knowledge of the latest techniques and practices designed to improve your business, personal fulfillment and professional advancement in a dynamic and demanding industry.
In an article for the IA Certification News, Mike Clark, CID, of Lakewood Landscaping gave some very important reasons to become certified. Clark feels that "...people move up within an industry by achieving higher skill levels. To do this in a balanced manner takes both field and text book experience. A person who only relies on field experience is never challenged by anything more than what happens on that given day. By studying for the certification exams, a person can be challenged by many problems that may or may not arise in the field. This may give them the knowledge they need to solve a new problem." Certification can also play a big part in improving the quality of service to customers. "In the process of studying for certification exams, our personnel are being introduced to new skills ... certified personnel provide customers with a higher level of service."
Before you are eligible to take an exam in the Contractor or Designer Program, you must have three years of irrigation-related experience. We also recognize the value educational experience. A candidate can substitute educational units to satisfy up to one year of experience. One year is equal to 60 points. Courses approved as irrigation schooling are those related to the candidate's job duties or description.
The Irrigation Association's commitment to quality in the Certification Program is evidenced by the selection of The Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) to assist the IA Certification Board (CB). CIT is an internationally respected testing organization responsible for providing services and expertise required to develop and administer reliable, valid certification examinations. Exams are criterion-referenced and designed to measure the complex set of skills that go into being an effective Irrigation Professional. The IA Certification Board has established criteria that are designed to test for a minimum competency level of these skills. A good definition for minimum competency was given by the ASAE as "The lowest level of knowledge at which a person can practice professional engineering (irrigation) in such a manner that will safeguard life, health and property and promote the public welfare."
THE IRRIGATION ASSOCIATION
6540 Arlington Blvd.
Falls Church, VA 22042-6638
Phone (703) 536-7080, Fax (703) 536-7019
Email: certification@irrigation.org
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Last modified: 12/05/07