Professional Accreditation Course Information
ARCSA Accredited Professional Course - FAQ's
What are ARCSA Education courses?
What topics are covered in ARCSA's Education courses and when are they held?
What is an ARCSA Accredited Professional?
How does someone become accredited?
What are the benefits of being accredited by ARCSA?
What is required of Accredited Professionals?
What if someone just wants to attend a Rainwater Harvesting Accreditation Course, but doesn't want to get accredited?
Are there any reference materials/preparation needed?
What are the course fees?
Who is currently an ARCSA Accredited Professional?
How do I sponsor an ARCSA Education Course?
What are ARCSA Education courses?
ARCSA offers a variety of instructional courses focused on strategies to manage our rainfall through a series of educational courses. These educational courses target individuals who have an interest in conserving rainfall and learning best practices in the field of rainwater harvesting, as well as industry professionals desiring in-depth training in industry techniques and practices.
In the past few years, rainwater catchment has become a popular and sometimes necessary way to augment water supplies to solve challenges in the use or need to acquire potable and non-potable water. In addition, promoting the use of harvested rainwater allows us to maximize our energy resources and deploy another technique in managing storm water.
ARCSA believes the general public and professionals need a mechanism to learn the multitude of strategies and practices to manage rainwater, evaluate industry professionals in their expertise in providing services to the public and to promote awareness in our communities to the benefits of rainwater harvesting.
ARCSA Education courses are structured into three levels to meet the needs of our students:
- Our "Introduction to Rainwater Harvesting," Level 100, is geared to those who are new to the concept of rainfall capture for use in non-potable applications such as landscape irrigation.
- Our Level 200 "Rainwater Harvesting Accreditation" course is designed for industry professionals or for those individuals desiring to pursue a career in rainwater management. The completion of the Level 200 course is a requirement for attaining accreditation as an ARCSA Accredited Professional.
- ARCSA offers a variety of Level 300 specialist courses. These specialist courses are designed to provide specialized knowledge on various industry topics such as sanitation, piping design, pumps and controls, water ecology and other topics.
What topics are covered in ARCSA's Education courses and when are they held?
The following course descriptions represent ARCSA's current offering of educational courses in rainwater management.
- Level 100 - Introduction to Rainwater Harvesting Course. Provides an overview of rainwater harvesting, history, uses and applicability to conserving rainfall as a natural resource. Concepts and techniques are introduced on harvesting rain for non-potable uses such as landscape irrigation and wildlife management. Demonstrations are conducted to reinforce the concepts learned through rainfall simulations and the use of a simple rainfall harvesting system. You can view the Level 100 agenda here.
- Level 200 - Rainwater Harvesting Accreditation Course. Topics covered include basics of rainwater catchment design and installation, in-home rainwater use; sanitation for potable uses; rules and regulations, guidelines and restrictions; business management; project planning; site and installation safety; and system construction and maintenance. You can view the Level 200 agenda here.
- Level 300 - Rainwater Management Specialized Courses. The Level 300 courses provide training on various topics such as piping and design; pumps and controls; sanitation; water issues and ecology; and practical application in constructing a rainwater catchment system.
Education courses are held around the country, and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to sponsor ARCSA Education courses. These courses are scheduled as sponsors are identified in a particular location.(back to top)
What is an ARCSA Accredited Professional?
An ARCSA Accredited Professional is a member of ARCSA who has obtained a minimum level of competency and general knowledge in rainwater management techniques and theory. The ARCSA Accredited Professional has documented their knowledge and experiences and has been accepted by ARCSA as an Accredited Professional.(back to top)
How does someone become accredited?
To become accredited, someone must:
- Be a member of ARCSA;
- Submit an application detailing experience and background in the subject;
- Pass a written exam;
- Participate in an ARCSA-approved Rainwater Harvesting Accreditation Course;
- Pay an accreditation application fee, and
- Submit a signed Accreditation Agreement form.
Applications will be reviewed and approved by a committee of ARCSA Accredited Professionals.(back to top)
What are the benefits of being accredited by ARCSA?
Accredited Professionals will receive a certificate and be recognized on the ARCSA website. ARCSA's accreditation course is not required by any state or municipality for designers or installers of rainwater catchment systems. Rather, the designation is a sign to an Accredited Professional's clients and the general public that they are committed to excellence and continuing their education in the field of rainwater management.(back to top)
What is required of Accredited Professionals?
In order to maintain their status, Accredited Professionals must maintain their ARCSA membership, complete annual CEU requirements, and renew their accreditation status with a nominal processing fee every two years. Professionals who fail to maintain their status may not continue to promote themselves as ARCSA Accredited Professionals. Accredited status can be reinstated upon fulfillment of the requirements, as approved by the committee.(back to top)
What if someone just wants to attend a Rainwater Harvesting Accreditation Course, but doesn't want to get accredited?
The Level 100 and 200 courses are open to the general public. There are not any prerequisites to attend either course. It is highly recommended that an individual without any prior knowledge or experience in rainwater harvesting attend the Level 100 course, Introduction to Rainwater Harvesting, prior to attending the Rainwater Harvesting Accreditation course, Level 200. Participants do not need to be actively pursuing accreditation in order to attend the Level 200 course.
The Level 300 specialist courses require participants to have completed the ARCSA Level 200 Rainwater Harvesting Accreditation course. It is highly recommended that individuals also attain their ARCSA Accredited Professional designation prior to attending the Level 300 courses.(back to top)
Are there any reference materials/preparation needed?
Preparation is not required to attend the ARCSA Education courses. Relevant handouts will be provided to attendees on the day of the course. For the written exam, it is suggested that accreditation applicants use the Texas AgriLife Extension's Rainwater Harvesting and Installation manuals as a reference, along with other materials as identified by ARCSA. A list of other references can be found here. The course and the accreditation exam are separate activities. Participants will not be taking the accreditation exam during the Level 200 course period. The exam will be sent to applicant once their application is accepted for the accreditation course and upon completion of the Rainwater Harvesting Accreditation course, Level 200.(back to top)
What are the course fees?
Registrants may choose to register in one of the following courses:
- Level 100 - Introduction to Rainwater Harvesting (One Day Only): $50 per person
- Level 200 - Rainwater Harvesting Accreditation Course (Two Days): $295 per person
- Level 300 - Rainwater Management Specialized Courses: Contact ARCSA for course offerings and fees.
All fees are payable to ARCSA; ARCSA will handle registrations and accept all registration fees.(back to top)
Who is currently an ARCSA Accredited Professional?
You can view the current list of ARCSA Accredited Professionals here.(back to top)
How do I sponsor an ARCSA Education Course?
An organization desiring to sponsor an ARCSA Education Course should contact ARCSA and identify your organization, your preferred location and desired dates. Courses must be scheduled through ARCSA and dates determined as schedules allow. Please send any inquiries to info@arcsa.org. You may view more details about sponsoring an ARCSA Education Course by clicking here. (back to top)