James Carr, CIT, CLIA, a 20-year irrigation pro, believes the industry isn’t talking enough about irrigation certification’s actual value.
“Often, [the message] is: Get certified, and you’ll get more money, or you’ll get a job,” says Carr, Brightview’s regional irrigation manager for the Western United States. “But I feel what’s not talked about is the true internal benefit that [irrigation] professionals get from the challenge and the experience of conquering and overcoming something and learning. In my experience, that benefited my career and made me a better professional.
“So, having your mind on certification will get you those benefits, but don’t forget the personal benefits you get that make you a better person,” he adds.
Carr’s conviction regarding irrigation certification and its strategic investment echoes across the commercial and residential irrigation sectors. These professionals understand that certification delivers critical knowledge, elevates their credibility and sharpens their competitive advantage. Specifically, the comprehensive certifications from the Irrigation Association embody professional excellence, drive efficient water management and affirm deep proficiency in the industry’s best practices.
According to Rachel Tayag, associate director of education and professional growth at the IA, most professionals pursue certification to demonstrate expertise and stand out in a highly competitive market. Additionally, certification indicates a technician is serious about their craft and is committed to doing quality work and staying up to date as the industry changes, she says.
“Some organizations or employers build IA education and certification into their onboarding or ongoing requirements for technicians,” Tayag says. “IA certification gives clients and employers confidence that the irrigation professional they hire meets nationally recognized standards and is committed to sound water management solutions.”
Certification credentials can also weigh heavily in securing coveted and prestigious irrigation projects and attracting new clients. Tayag says irrigation clients increasingly seek verified expertise, especially on high-stakes or sustainability-focused projects.
“Certification can really set someone apart, especially on commercial or municipal projects where qualifications matter,” Tayag says. “[Certification] shows that a professional has been independently tested on their knowledge and follows recognized best practices. That kind of credibility builds trust and can lead to bigger projects or leadership opportunities.”
For example, Tayag says the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance often mandates an irrigation audit for landscape projects in California. A professional who holds the IA’s Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor credential has a decisive edge against those who don’t because they can perform these audits under the program.
Certified options
Irrigation pros have many certification options to fit their professional focus. While the IA provides greater details about its certifications via irrigation.org, here are the certifications most relevant to commercial and residential irrigation professionals.
CIT
The Certified Irrigation Technician credential is considered by many pros as the “entry-level” certification for field technicians because it addresses the fundamentals of working hands-on with commercial or residential irrigation systems. CITs are skilled in installing, maintaining and repairing irrigation systems. They understand basic hydraulics and electrical principles and how to troubleshoot common irrigation problems and issues.
CIC
The Certified Irrigation Contractor credential is ideal for experienced business owners and professionals who manage irrigation projects. CICs understand business practices, contracts and relevant laws and codes. As a result, CIC reflects proficiency in executing contracts to install, repair and maintain irrigation systems, ensuring projects meet specifications and requirements.
CID
The Certified Irrigation Designer credential is a highly specialized certification for professionals who design landscape irrigation systems, and perhaps the most direct certification for professionals working in both commercial and residential sectors. CIDs evaluate site conditions, determine water availability and requirements, select appropriate equipment, and prepare comprehensive design drawings and specifications. It is also available with a golf course specialty designation.
CLIA
The Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor credential is crucial for professionals focused on water conservation and efficiency because it reflects expertise in evaluating landscape irrigation water use. CLIAs collect site data, perform field measurements and observations, make maintenance recommendations and develop efficient irrigation schedules.
According to Tayag, the IA’s certification programs emphasize the integration of innovative technologies and best practices in irrigation system design, installation and management. She adds that the association’s landscape-related certification programs have gone through rigorous review and earned the prestigious WaterSense label.
“Certified professionals are tested on their understanding of smart irrigation tools such as weather-based controllers, flow sensors, soil moisture monitoring and advanced scheduling techniques,” she says. “Because our exams are regularly updated to reflect current industry standards, certification serves as a strong indicator that an individual is knowledgeable about the latest water-efficient technologies and how to apply them effectively in the field.”
Where to start
With so many options, where should an irrigation professional begin their journey?
Carr asserts that CIT is a critical and indispensable entry point for irrigation professionals pursuing certification. He warns that leapfrogging directly to a more advanced certification, such as CLIA, inevitably means forfeiting many of the fundamental “nuts-and-bolts” expertise vital to effective best practices in the field.
“Working your way up from CIT exposes you to a greater degree of detail when you’re not involved in hands-on work,” he says. “For example, for designers who may not be out doing actual irrigation work, it’s beneficial for them to know what a CIT is doing [out in the field], so that they can better design an irrigation system that addresses those critical details, leading to better outcomes.”
Ryan Markway, CIT, Kansas City metro irrigation department manager for Ryan Lawn & Tree, shares a compelling case study for professional development. His company strategically invested in securing CIT credentials for its veteran team, recognizing the program’s foundational importance despite its perceived simplicity by some more experienced members. This pursuit proved invaluable, solidifying core knowledge and thoroughly acquainting the team with the IA’s rigorous testing protocols. As a result, Markway confirms that this year marks their targeted effort to achieve CIC designations for these seasoned pros.
“[Certification] has been important for us because it shows that we have a lot of smart people on staff who are committed to being the best in their profession,” he says. “Other professions — for example, plumbers and electricians or lawn care operators — require licensing [to work]. Certification says we have educated people who can do irrigation work.”
According to Tayag, the key to advancing the irrigation industry lies in professionals and their employers embracing certification as an essential investment in expertise and long-term success.
“[Certification] opens doors, builds credibility and strengthens your knowledge,” she says. “All of the IA’s certifications are designed to be rigorous, ensuring they validate not only technical knowledge but also the real-world skills professionals gain through experience, self-study and ongoing professional development. In other words, earning an IA certification requires far more than just taking one class or reading a textbook.”
Making a better industry
Markway concedes that customers don’t always appreciate the nuances of irrigation certifications. Therefore, he stresses that the industry must emphasize the tangible benefits: the superior quality of work and elevated professional proficiency that certified professionals consistently bring to a project or a service call.
“What’s going to win us the bids is that our guys are well educated and well informed,” Markway says. “We believe in self-education and certification, which will result in a better product. And that is ultimately going to result in better customer service. And isn’t that what we’re all striving for?”
It’s not difficult to identify the work of an uncertified irrigation technician, Carr says. “If you have uncertified people doing the work, the majority of the time, you have poor installation, loss of water and angry clients,” he says. “I can’t go through a day in the field without having to deal with the mistakes of someone who wasn’t certified. Most of the time, it’s cleaning up messes from those who didn’t know what they were doing when they installed [the irrigation system].
“If the industry, as a whole, has a negative reputation, then everyone suffers,” Carr adds.
While numerous personal and professional motivations drive the pursuit of irrigation designations, certification propels the individual professional’s career and strengthens the entire industry.
This positive momentum is possible because the certified professionals lead the way in adopting efficient practices and new technologies, helping the industry adapt to regulatory and environmental challenges, Tayag says. They also contribute valuable insights to product development, training and education while ensuring innovation remains practical and effective.
“When professionals pursue certification, they elevate the perception of irrigation as a skilled, technology-driven profession — one that requires technical expertise, environmental awareness and a commitment to responsible water management,” Tayag says. “This not only builds trust with clients and consumers but also reinforces the professionalism of the industry at large.”
