ARCSA Educational and Professional Certification Programs

- Click here for the Complete Event Calendar
- Click here for Educational Vendor Videos
- Click here for ARCSA workshop sponsorship opportunities
- Click here to download Educational Programs booklet

Professional Programs:

“Certified Associate” (CA) Program

“Accredited Professional” (AP) Program
"Inspector Specialist" (IS) Program

"Rainwater Harvesting Design and Construction" (RWHDC) Workshop

“Rainwater Harvesting Master” (RWHM) Program

ARCSA Program Requirements and Costs Overview:

Individual ARCSA Membership

“Certified Associate” (CA) Program - $200
Requirements

ARCSA Membership
One Day 6-8 hour Workshop - $200
50 Question Text, application and processing fee - $75
Acquire at least 2 CEUs annually - Annual Administrative Fee - $25

“Accredited Professional” (AP) Program

Requirements:

ARCSA membership
Two Day AP workshop $395
Complete 5 systems before receiving AP (until 5 systems - Accredited Associate)
Passing score on the AP exam - $150 application and testing fee
Acquire at least 4 CEUs annually - Annual administrative fee - $25

“Inspector Specialist” (IS) Program

Requirements:

ARCSA membership
Acquire at least 6 hours annually
Accredited Professional (AP) status
AI Certificiation ($150)
The cost of this 1 day workshop is $195
Application and testing fee $50

"Rainwater Harvesting Design & Construction" RWHDC
ARCSA’s Rainwater Harvesting Design & Construction Workshop is a requirement for the “Rainwater Harvesting Master” (RWHM) designation. Individuals seeking “Accredited Professional” (AP) designation are also encouraged to attend but it is not a requirement to be an AP. The workshop is open members and guests.

The cost of this 2 day workshop - $395

“Rainwater Harvesting Master” (RWHM) Program

Requirements:

ARCSA membership
ARCSA AP designation and designed/installed an additional 5 systems
42 hours of additional coursework - cost per hour varies
Design and Construction Workshop (2 days) - $395
Pass a take-home design problem (after the Design/Construction Workshop)
Passing score on the RWHM closed book exam - $150 application and testing fee
Acquire at least 8 CEUs annually - annual administrative fee - $25
Possible Apprenticeship

Introduction to Rainwater Harvesting
Click here if you have attended an Intro to RWH workshop and wish to complete a Course Evaluation survey.

ARCSA’s Intro to Rainwater Harvesting course is designed to educate professionals, regulators, decision makers, business and home owners, and other individuals interested in the process of planning and constructing an effective, safe rainwater collection system that meets the needs of the client.

This one-day, 6 -7 hour course provides an overview of rainwater harvesting and its uses and applicability to conserving rainfall as a natural resource. Participants will be introduced to the concepts and techniques for harvesting rain passively in rain gardens, green roofs and proper landscape design, as well as the use of more complex active systems using a catchment container. Course content covers the design and installation of catchment systems from the roof to the faucet, with discussion on optional uses - both outdoors and indoors, potable and non-potable - of this precious resource.

Presented by an ARCSA approved instructor

Cost: $75 person

Participation does not count toward ARCSA’s professional certification programs; however, other professional organizations may consider the workshop for CEU credits.

Please note that the course duration and outline may vary slightly between workshops.

You can view the full course agenda here.
Click here for a schedule of workshops.
Click here if you've attended aworkshop and wish to take the Course Evaluation survey.

ARCSA's Certified Associate (CA) Program

ARCSA's "Certified Associate" (CA) Program recognizes those individuals in the rainwater harvesting industry in a support role who have taken the time and effort to understand the importance, complexity, process and the health implications involved in rainwater harvesting and use.

Requirements for the "Certified Associate" (CA) recognition include:
1. Completion of the 1 day (6-7 hour) workshop
2. Completion and passing of a 50 question test
3. ARCSA membership
4. Application
5. Acquire at least 2 CEUs annually - Annual Administrative Fee - $25 Cost: $200 per person workshop fee
Additional fee to become a CA: Application and testing fee: $75

To continue receiving this designation CA's must maintain ARCSA membership and submit 2 CEUs annually along with annual renewals.

ARCSA's "Certified Associate" Courses are open to the public and any industry professional in sales or related businesses to the rainwater harvesting industry and are pursuing a greater understanding of rainwater harvesting. The course is required for those seeking ARCSA CA designation.

This 6-8 hour course covers water issues, supply and demand calculations, tank sizing, material and location options, conveyance and delivery of water to its intended use and use options. Also water quality concerns for intended uses are covered along with national codes, and restrictions.

Presented by an ARCSA approved instructor

Please note that the course duration and outline may vary slightly between workshops.

Accredited Professional (AP) Program

Click here if you have attended an AP workshop and wish to complete a Course Evaluation survey.

ARCSA’s “Accredited Professional” (AP) Program is designed to recognize professionals in the industry who have achieved an advanced level of competence in designing and installing rainwater harvesting systems.

Requirements for the “Accredited Professional” designation are as follows:

ARCSA membership (see above)
Application for the AP Program approved by ARCSA
Complete 5 systems before receiving AP (until 5 systems - Accredited Associate)
Two day AP workshop - $395
Passing score on the AP exam - $150 application and testing fee
Acquire at least 4 CEUs annually - annual administrative fee - $25

ARCSA’s “Accredited Professional” Courses are open to the public and any industry professional pursuing greater understanding of rainwater harvesting. The course is required for those seeking ARCSA AP designation.

This two-to three day course provides an in-depth review of rainwater harvesting design and installation; outdoor and in-home rainwater use; sanitation for potable uses; rules, regulations, guidelines and restrictions; business management; project planning; site and installation safety; and system construction and maintenance.

Presented by an ARCSA approved instructor

Registration: www.arcsa.org

Please note that the course duration and outline may vary slightly between workshops.

Click here for Accreditation Professional Application Questionnaire.
Click here for the AP workshop agenda.
Click here if you have attended an AP workshop and would like to help us with a survey.

Inspector Specialist (IS) Program

ARCSA's Inspector Specialis (IS) Workshop is an Advanced Rainwater Harvesting Specialized course open to the public or any industry professional but to be an ARCSA Accredited Inspector, an individual must first be a current ARCSA Accredited Professional. This one-day workshop is designed to give attendees the tools needed to make rainwater harvesting system inspections. The course is required for anyone seeking the ARCSA Inspector Specialist (IS) designation. Participants will review parts of rainwater harvesting system, study how to develop an initial assessment of the system, fill out an inspection checklist while making the initial visual inspection of a system and making follow-up inspections.

Requirements for the “Inspector Specialist” designation are as follows:

ARCSA membership (see above)
Acquire at least 6 hours annually
AP Certification
One day IS class - $195
Application and testing fee $50

Presented by an ARCSA approved instructor

Please note that the course duration and outline may vary slightly between workshops.

Rainwater Harvesting Design & Contruction (RWHDC) Workshop

ARCSA’s Rainwater Harvesting Design & Construction Workshop is a requirement for the “Rainwater Harvesting Master” (RWHM) designation. Individuals seeking “Accredited Professional” (AP) designation are also encouraged to attend but it is not a requirement to be an AP. The workshop is open to all individuals interested in improving their design and construction skills.

The 2-3 day workshop will assist designers and construction workers in installing safe, effective and efficient rainwater collection systems that meet the goals and needs of the client. Instruction is mostly in the field, with minimal classroom time.

The course outline includes:

Design and site plans, bids and contracts
Calculating size, friction and volume needed to achieve goals
Constructing an effective above ground systems as a team - from the gutter through the tank and pump for the desired usage
System components including downspouts, wet and dry systems, air-gap, back flow prevention, first flush, calming inlet, adding make-up water, connections and pumps
Systems constructed for outdoor and indoor non-potable uses

Presented by an ARCSA approved instructor

Cost: $395
Click here for the Event Calendar including a complete schedule of workshops.
Click here for ARCSA workshop sponsorship opportunities

Rainwater Harvesting Masters (RWHM) Program

Click here if you've attended a RWHM workshop and wish to complete a Course Evaluation survey.

ARCSA’s “Rainwater Harvesting Master” (RWHM) Program is designed to recognize Accredited Professionals who continue to increase their knowledge and skills to a much higher degree and have proven they are leaders in the rainwater harvesting industry. This is the highest designation offered by ARCSA.

Current requirements for the “RWHM” designation are as follows:

ARCSA current member
ARCSA current Accredited Professional designation
42 hours of additional instruction
Complete the Design and Construction Workshop

Completion also means completing and passing a take-home problem (those who have already taken the D/C Workshop will be provided a problem to complete at home and submit for grade (a blind committee will grade). The design must be submitted within 60 days of the D/C Workshop or receiving the design problem.

Passing a closed book RWHM test (Passing score of 80 on the RWHM exam) Note: Applicants for “RWHM” designation must meet all requirements, except the five design/construction projects, before they take the RWHM test. Applicants will have up to five years after attending the Design/Construction Workshop to complete all the RWHM requirements.

Complete the design and/or construction of 5 acceptable rainwater collection systems after receiving the Accredited Professional recognition.
$150 application and testing fee
Acquire at least 8 CEUs annually - annual administrative fee-$25

Note: Applicants for “Rainwater Harvesting Master” designation must meet all other requirements before taking the RWHM test. Applicants will have five years after taking the Design/Construction Workshop to complete all CP requirements.

Click here for the Event Calendar including a complete schedule of workshops.
Click here if you have attended a RWHM workshop and would like to help us with a survey.
Click here for the Educational Committee page which contains meeting minutes.