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EPA Water Efficiency Program	7 April2006


    Draft Criteria for the Qualification of Certification Programs for Irrigation System
                    Auditors under EPA's Water Efficiency Program

1.0 Scope and Objective

This specification establishes criteria for the qualification of certification programs for irrigation
auditors under EPA's Water Efficiency Program. It applies to irrigation professionals who
assess the proper functioning of existing irrigation systems, perform water audits, and
recommend watering schedules. The purpose of the qualification is to identify programs that
certify irrigation auditors with demonstrated ability to apply water efficiency concepts  in their
practice.  An irrigation auditor who holds an EPA Water Efficiency Program qualified
certification should be capable of auditing irrigation systems with water efficiency being a
fundamental component of their practice.

2.0 Qualification Criteria

To be qualified under EPA's Water Efficiency Program, the certification program must meet the
following criteria:

2.1 Independent Oversight Committee

     The certification process provided by an organization must be supervised by an
     independent oversight committee. The oversight committee must be established by the
     organization and be composed of at least three professionals who are recognized  for their
     expertise in the irrigation field. Full time employees of the organization must hold less
     than half of the oversight committee positions. The committee must be able to exercise
     independent judgment and oversight to assure the integrity of the certification process.

2.2 Experiential Requirement

     The certification must require that the applicant have proof of successfully completing at
     least one irrigation audit either before sitting for the exam or within a specified time period
     following the exam as established by the oversight committee. The oversight committee
     must have established the standard of proof for the experiential requirement.

2.3 Exam Requirement

     The certification must include a requirement for the successful completion of an exam or
     series of exams. Testing procedures must be established or approved by the oversight
     committee.

              2.3.1  Exam Content

              The exam process should be structured so that passing practitioners must have
              demonstrated proficient applied knowledge in the following subject areas:

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                    •   Distribution uniformity
                    •   Precipitation rates and irrigation scheduling
                    •   Water pressure and impact on sprinkler performance
                    •   Auditing Process
                    •   Soil/water/plant relationships
                    •   Water budgeting and consumption
                    •   System maintenance

              Specific exam questions should be established or approved by the oversight
              committee.

              2.3.2  Exam Passing Score

              The oversight committee should establish the passing score. The passing score on
              an exam must provide an objective level of assurance that the concepts listed
              above are understood and can be applied by the practitioner.

              2.3.3  Quality Assurance/Quality Control

              The examination process must include the following QA/QC elements:

                    •   The technical content of exam questions should be  established or
                        approved by, and periodically reviewed by the oversight committee to
                        ensure that the exam meets the requirements specified in Section  2.3.1.
                        In addition, an independent academic institute or professional testing
                        organization must review the exam questions to ensure that they
                        accurately test the subject material. The exam question review process
                        should be conducted at least once every two years,  or more frequently
                        as determined by the oversight committee.
                    •   Exams must be administered by an independent academic institute, a
                        professional testing organization, or an irrigation professional certified
                        in the subject matter.
                    •   Exams must be graded by an independent academic institute,
                        professional testing organization, or a certified irrigation professional
                        not involved in the training or proctoring of the practitioner being
                        examined.
                    •   The security and integrity of the test questions and test processes  must
                        be protected at all times.

2.4 Renewal Process

     The certification must have a renewal process with a set periodicity.

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              2.4.1  Expiration

              A certification must be renewed at least once every two years, or more frequently
              as established by the oversight committee.

              2.4.2  Maintained Proficiency

              One aspect of the renewal process must require the submission of documentation
              that the practitioner has maintained proficiency in the subject matter (e.g.
              continuing education units). The oversight committee should establish valid
              documentation requirements of maintained proficiency.

3.0 Application for Qualification

The organization seeking to qualify must submit an application to EPA's Water Efficiency
Program for review. Qualification will be granted upon the approval of an organization's
application by EPA's Water Efficiency Program staff. The application should document that the
organization's certification process meets the criteria listed in Section 2.0. The application must
include the following materials:

3.1 Letter of Intent

     The letter of intent serves to introduce the organization's certification program and should
     include a background section that describes their certification and reason for seeking
     qualification under EPA's Water Efficiency Program. The letter should include a statement
     attesting to the validity of information submitted, and be signed by the chairman of the
     oversight committee responsible for the certification program and an officer of the
     organization.

3.2 Identifying Information

     Provide the following identifying information for this application: a) Title of certification,
     b) Name and address of certifying organization, and c) Name, address, phone number, and
     email address of point of contact with certifying organization.

3.3 Documentation of Independent Oversight Committee  Responsibility

     For the oversight committee identified in Section 2.1, provide a description of the role,
     responsibility, and function of the oversight committee  within the organization. The
     description should address the following topics:  1) How committee members are  selected
     or appointed, and 2) Committee member terms of service, such as duration of appointment
     or nature of compensation, if any.  If available, a copy of the organization's by-laws
     pertaining to the oversight committee may be submitted as documentation.
3.4 Documentation of Independent Oversight Committee Composition

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     For the current oversight committee, provide each committee member's name, committee
     position, professional affiliation, and a brief synopsis of irrigation expertise.

3.5 Documentation of the Certification Process

     This portion of the application consists of documentation for both the experiential and
     exam requirements.

             3.5.1  Experiential Requirement

             The organization must submit a description of the process they use to ensure the
             experiential requirement listed in Section 2.2 is met as part of the certification
             process.

             3.5.2  Exam Content

             The organization must submit a sample certification exam that has been
             administered no more than 6 months prior to the application date. The sample
             exam should be annotated to indicate how each subject, listed in Section 2.3.1 is
             tested in a sufficient manner. This documentation should link exam questions
             with the subject areas and demonstrate how each subject area was tested. The
             exam may be claimed as confidential business information and if so, will be
             safeguarded as such.

             3.5.3  Exam Administration

             Describe the process used to administer and grade the exam.  Indicate what a
             passing grade is.

             3.5.4  Documentation for the Exam Material Review Process

             Provide the name and address of the independent academic institution or
             professional testing organization used to review exam material, and describe the
             process used by that organization for the review.

3.6 Documentation of the Certification Renewal Process

     The organization must submit a description of the certification renewal process, including
     the documentation required for renewal.

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