An opportunity to build a profession:
Increasingly, professional designed and maintained landscapes are recognized as integral to property values. Irrigation is an essential part of maintaining that investment.

Responsible water management is now an important part of sound environmental practices.

New technologies have made irrigation systems more affordable and easier to operate and maintain than ever before.

For these reasons and more, the irrigation industry has witnessed an unprecedented growth over the past decade and will continue to expand into the future. While good news for the industry, this expansion has not been problem-free. As more and more people and companies enter the field, a general lack of knowledge of appropriate system design, proper installation and maintenance procedures and an inconsistency in pricing structures threatens the reputation of the industry overall.

Landscape Ontario's Irrigation Commodity Group has addressed these concerns through its Certified Irrigation Technician program. Developed by a group of industry professionals, this instruction and examination program has been established to verify an individual's skill level.

The Certified Irrigation Technician designation will provide a means of demonstrating a high degree of proficiency through commitment to education.

What is the Certification Program?
The Certified Irrigation Technician program was developed to prove a minimum standard of competency in irrigation design and installation. This program includes a home study guide and a two-hour written examination, held at least twice every year.

What is on the CIT exam?

• Irrigation Technology
• Identification of Soil Types
• Soil-Water-Plant Relationships
• Hydraulics
• Design
• Installation
• Scheduling of Your Irrigation System
• Materials
• Service Troubleshooting
• Charts and Wire Sizing

What does the CIT exam cost?
$160 + HST - LO Members
$250 + HST - Non-Members
$50 + HST - Retest Fee for Members
$75 + HST - Retest Fee for Non-Members

Certification guidelines:

1. Certification is available for individuals only, not for companies.
   
2. A mark of 70% or higher is required to receive a Certificate of Proficiency.
   
3. Before writing the CIT exam, it is strongly recommended that candidates complete one or more of the following irrigation seminars listed in the Landscape Ontario Professional Development Guide:
   • ABC's of Irrigation
   • Irrigation System Design
   • Irrigation Field Installation
   • Irrigation Field Repair and Troubleshooting
   • Irrigation Controllers
   • Irrigation Audits
   • Low Voltage Irrigation
   • Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT) Review
   
   
4. The Certified Irrigation Technician program is available to all interested persons. Discounts are available to employees of Landscape Ontario member companies.

CIT exam dates in 2010:

March 18th – Canada Blooms – 1pm-5pm – Theater
March 31th - Greenscape Office (Ottawa) – 9 am-11am - 54 Cleopatra, Ottawa
April 9th – Fanshawe College – 6-8:30pm – Building H room H1033
April 9th – Landscape Ontario – 1pm–5pm – Hemlock/Hawthorne Room (IA also available)
July 8th – Landscape Ontario – 1pm-5pm - Hemlock/Hawthorne Room
Sept 16th– Kemptville College – 1pm-5pm - AJ Logsdale
Sept 30th – Landscape Ontario – 1pm-5pm – Hemlock/Hawthorne Room
December 3rd – Landscape Ontario – 1pm-5pm – Hemlock/Hawthorne Room (IA also available)

Click here to download a registration form