Episode 7 - Professional Certifications and Licensing

Clover Belluz, CIT
Professional Development Director

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Episode Highlights

• ​[1:49] We have yet another guest this episode - Irrigation Association Professional Development Director, Clover Belluz, joins us to share her expertise on professional certifications. 
  
  
  • Making sure the professionals dealing with irrigation have a certain amount of training and education to do the work.
    
    
• [4:00] Quick update on the state of licensing for professional services, specifically as related to irrigation- Landscape irrigation contracting is licensed in a handful of states.
  • Licensing exists to protect the public heath, welfare and safety.
    
    
  • As the state of North Carolina works on professional licensing bills aimed at decreasing the number of professions that require a license, theNorth Carolina Irrigation Contractors' Licensing Board has been included in a draft elimination bill. 
    
    
  • Irrigation licensing by state - only 12 states have some form of licensing for irrigation professionals. 
    
    
  • North Carolina and New Jersey use the IA's Certified Irrigation Contractor test to license individuals.
    
    
• [7:29] Overview of Irrigation Association Certification Programs - on thelandscape irrigation side, the IA has the following:
  
  
  • Certified Irrigation Technician
  • Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC is a nationally accredited certification)
  • Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor
  • Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor
  • Certified Irrigation Designer
  • Certified Landscape Water Managers
    
    
• [12:04] Brent Mecham, CAIS, CGIA, CIC, CID, CIT, CLIA, CLWM - Brent, of course, has nearly every certification, as shown here. 
  
  
• [13:40] WaterSense labels IA certifications - CIC, CID, CLIA and CGIA are the four certifications labeled by WaterSense. Individuals holding one of these certifications, holds a certification labeled by WaterSense.
  
  
• [14:12] Codes and certified professionals - Green codes and standards are about protecting environmental resources (energy, water, air) by encouraging that those doing irrigation have the skills, knowledge and expertise.​
  
  
• [16:41] Why do people get certified? - To gain an edge on competition, helps people stay up-to-date on new technologies and practices in the industry, and because it is a good confirmation of professionalism. 
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• [18:33] The Irrigation Association Certification Board - an independent board that meets every two weeks by phone and works to ensure all certifications are up-to-date.
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• [21:39] How do individuals maintain their IA certifications? -  Once certified there is a annual renewal fee and a continuing education requirement. This education requirement of 20 CEUs every two years is one of the higher bars set by certifications in the industry.
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• [26:07] Congrats! You made it to the end - now to introduce the famous Mr. Fuzz.

The famous @Mr.Fuzz