IA’s Certified Irrigation Technician Exam
CITs are field technicians who install, maintain, and repair irrigation systems.
To become a CIT, you must:
- Register for the exam
- Pass the irrigation technician exam
- Comply with the Select Certified Code of Ethics from The Irrigation Association
- Remain in good standing. (Gain 20 CEU hours per two-year cycle)
Course Outline
Understanding basic irrigation principles (41-46%)
- Sprinkler type, nozzle type and spacing
- Evaluate coverage are to determine sprinkler type and spacing
- Assess spacing relative to sprinkler type and coverage area
- Assess existing nozzle selection
- Perform maintenance and adjustments
- Match head and nozzle being replaced
- Understand relative precipitation rates
- Swing joint assemblies
- Identify assembly components
- Determine appropriate swing joint type
- Determine appropriate swing joint installation
- Pipe fittings and connection procedures
- Select proper solvents for pipe type and primers
- Identify type of pipe fitting
- Determine connection procedures based on pipe and fitting type
- Perform connection procedures based on pipe and fitting type
- Equipment and tool usage
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions
- Select appropriate equipment and/or tools for the task
- Maintain equipment and tools
- Pumps
- Identify pump types, components and controls
- Understand pump flow and pressure
- Demonstrate understanding of pump safety
- Backflow functionality
- Identify backflow type, function and components
- Identify state and local requirements
- Plans and as-built documentation
- Read scale and legend
- Understand specifications
- Water meter usage
- Identify appropriate meter
- Understand meter readings
- Identify leak detector on meter
- Job safety
- Identify and use appropriate safety equipment
- Locate utilities
- Follow exaction safety procedures
- Follow confined space entry procedures
- Follow MSDS guidelines
- Startup and winterization procedures
- Identify leaks
- Identify all water supplies
- Demonstrate understanding of basic soil-plant-water relationships
Understanding electrical principles: (28-32%)
- Voltmeter operation
- Test amperage or watts
- Test for voltage, resistance, and continuity
- Understand voltmeter readings
- Controller electrical operation
- Demonstrate understanding of basic controller programming
- Identify components
- Perform diagnostics procedures
- Perform controller functions
- Perform reset procedures
- Perform basic controller ad component replacement
- Transformer operation
- Test incoming and outing voltage
- Match transformer properties for replacement
- Solenoid operation
- Test resistance and incoming voltage
- Identify manufacturer
- Identify manufacturer specifications
- Wiring types
- Determine wire size and type
- Determine appropriate burial depth
- Field wiring/wire tracking/valve locating
- Select appropriate equipment
- Perform equipment setup and operational procedures
- Perform splicing procedures
Understanding hydraulic principles: (26-27%)
- Sensors
- Demonstrate understanding of how sensors operate
- Identify sensors used
- Perform sensor maintenance and replacement
- Follow manufacturer’s operating procedures
- Valves
- Demonstrate understanding of how valves operate
- Identify valves
- Perform valve installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair
- Install appropriate valve enclosure
- Pressure testing
- Determine dynamic vs. static pressure
- Understand pressure gauge readings
- Understand manufacturer’s pressure requirements
- Flow testing
- Record flow meter readings
- Understand manufacturer’s flow requirements
- Drip mechanics
- Determine maximum tubing length
- Identify filtration and pressure regulation requirements
- Identify emission devices
- Perform maintenance procedures
- Determine appropriate component usage
- Read friction loss charts
Learning Objectives
Candidates should be able to:
- Cut and join pipe
- Understand the limitations of different piping systems.
- Understand basic hydraulics.
- Lay out and install.
- piping and water delivery components
- backflow prevention components
- mechanical, hydraulic and electrical irrigation controls
- as well as other irrigation system components.
- Troubleshoot and repair irrigation components and systems.
Suggested Prerequisites
Location Information and Class Registration
September 13, 2024Bellingham, WA September 13, 2024
Orlando, FL September 20, 2024
Portland , OR September 20, 2024
Baker, LA September 27, 2024
Redmond, OR September 27, 2024
Louisville, KY October 4, 2024
Redding, CA October 4, 2024
Cleveland, OH October 11, 2024
Sacramento, CA October 11, 2024
Durham, NC October 18, 2024
Tuscaloosa, AL October 18, 2024
Memphis, TN October 25, 2024
Bakersfield, CA October 25, 2024
Charleston, SC November 1, 2024
Rock Hill, SC November 1, 2024
Fort Myers, FL November 8, 2024
West Palm Beach, FL November 8, 2024
Anaheim, CA November 15, 2024
Hattiesburg, MS November 15, 2024
Miami, FL November 22, 2024
Atlanta, GA November 22, 2024
San Diego, CA December 6, 2024
December 6, 2024
Denver, CO December 13, 2024
Las Vegas, NV December 20, 2024
Lansing, MI December 20, 2024
Long Island, NY January 10, 2025
San Diego, CA January 10, 2025
Tucson, AZ January 17, 2025
Boston, MA January 17, 2025
Anaheim, CA January 24, 2025
Birmingham, AL January 24, 2025
Campbell, CA January 31, 2025
Norfolk, VA January 31, 2025
Reno, NV February 7, 2025
Hudson, WI February 7, 2025
Meridian, ID February 14, 2025
Chicago, IL February 14, 2025
New Orleans, LA February 14, 2025
Orlando, FL February 28, 2025
Nashville, TN February 28, 2025
Bakersfield, CA March 7, 2025
Detroit, MI March 7, 2025
Sacramento, CA March 14, 2025
St. Louis, MO March 14, 2025
Salt Lake City, UT March 21, 2025
Charleston, SC March 21, 2025
Portland, OR March 28, 2025
Indianapolis, IN March 28, 2025
Seattle, WA April 4, 2025
Columbus, OH April 4, 2025
Denver, CO April 11, 2025
April 11, 2025
Bozeman, MT April 18, 2025
Savannah, GA April 18, 2025
Wichita, KS April 25, 2025
Durham, NC April 25, 2025
Oklahoma City, OK May 2, 2025
Austin, TX May 2, 2025
Little Rock, AR May 9, 2025
Daytona Beach, FL May 9, 2025
Louisville, KY May 16, 2025
Clearwater, FL May 16, 2025
Palm Springs, CA May 23, 2025
Hollywood, FL May 23, 2025
Redding, CA August 18, 2023