Certified Irrigation Designer (CID)

A Qualified Certified Irrigation Designer has: 

  •  a minimum of three years irrigation related experience/education;
  •  successfully passed a series of written examinations covering general irrigation subjects  and specialty areas; and
  •  agreed to follow a Code of Conduct. 

Program governance

The Certified Irrigation Designer program is owned solely by Irrigation Association (US). All marking and grading of exams is done in the USA. IAL metricated the texts and the exam paper and organises exams in this country. Since 1996 IAL has had a place on the US IA Certification Board of Governors. This person represents the interests of Australian Certified Irrigation Designers at meetings of the Board of Governors in the USA.

The Certification Program offers Certified Irrigation Designer Status under two general categories, Agricultural Irrigation and Landscape/Turf Irrigation. Within each of the general categories there are the following Specialties:
 
Agriculture
Landscape/Turf
Drip/Micro Specialty
Golf Course Specialty
Surface Specialty
Commercial Specialty
Sprinkler Specialty
 

Note:  The pass mark for the General Agriculture exam is 65%.  For all other exams the pass mark is 70%

Exam dates for 2010

How to become a Certified Irrigation Designer

Step 1: Application & Determination of Eligibility
To apply you must have a minimum of 1 years experience in an irrigation related field.
 
Complete the Step 1 application form (downloadable at left) including the agreement to comply with the CID Code of Conduct included in the application, references and proof of industry experience and forward them with the application fee to the IAL Certification Secretariat.  After your application has been verified you will receive written notification of your acceptance into the program, together with an application form for the  irrigation industry Step 2 Prequalification Exam.  This is the first formal examination in the Program.
 
Step 2: Industry Prequalification Exam
Complete the Step 2 application form (downloadable at left) and submit with the prescribed fee at least 30 days before the exam date. You will receive written confirmation, the Reference Manual and the CID Exam Info Pack containing information for the exam. You need to achieve a pass score in the 3-hour, 150 multiple choice question exam in order to proceed to Step 3.
 
Step 3: General Exams
You will need to have 3 years industry experience; a passing score in the Step 2 Exam (qualifies you to sit either or both Agricultural or Landscape/Turf Step 3 Exams). Submit the Step 3 application form (downloadable at left) and fee for your choice of exam 30 days before the exam date.  Choices are: 
  •          Agricultural Irrigation
  •          Landscape/Turf Irrigation 

You will receive written confirmation and if you choose Agriculture you will receive a copy of the Reprint Materials (Step 3 Examinations - General Agriculture). You need to achieve a pass score in the 3-hour, 100 multiple choice question exam to proceed to a Step 4 Speciality in Agricultural or Landscape/Turf Irrigation.

Step 4: Specialty Exams
You will need a passing score in the Step 3 Exam in either Agricultural or Landscape/Turf. Submit the Step 4 application form (downloadable at left) and fee for your choice of exam 30 days before the exam date.  Specialties are: 

Agricultural Specialties (for those who have successfully completed the Step 3 exam in Agriculture): 

  •          Drip Micro Irrigation
  •          Surface Irrigation
  •          Sprinkler Irrigation 
Landscape/Turf Specialties (for those who have successfully completed the Step 3 exam in Landscape/Turf): 
  •          Commercial Irrigation
  •          Golf Course Irrigation
You will need to achieve a pass in the 4-hour, 75 multiple choice question exam to become a Certified Irrigation Designer in your chosen Speciality.  You may obtain as many Specialties as you like.

What if I fail an exam?You can re-sit any exam but it will cost you $250 each time. Three failures and you must wait two years and start at Step 1 again. 

Time Limits
You must complete your first Specialty exam within four (4) years of your Irrigation Industry Prequalification Exam. If you do not complete the Specialty exam within this period, you forfeit any examination fees paid and credit for any examinations previously passed and must start again with the Step 1 application.
 
Candidates with a disability

Please advise the IAL National Office at the time of registering if you believe you have a disability that will require special arrangements to take the exam. Such circumstances may be visual impairment, lack of mobility, etc.