State and local governments, communities and water providers encourage the design, installation, and maintenance of water-efficient landscapes in both the public and private sectors. More and more cities, towns, water districts, and property managers require training for landscapers to ensure that they have the skills to effectively manage water using a water budget. A broad variety of training opportunities are available in Arizona as described below.

Arizona Professional Certifications

Smartscape is a training program for nursery and landscape professionals designed to encourage consistent horticultural practices compatible with the Sonoran Desert region of Arizona. Smartscape is presented as a series of eight 2½-hour workshops. Workshops focus on specific topics such as design and renovation, plant selection, irrigation design and installation, water harvesting and more. WaterSmart is the residential component of the SmartScape Program. WaterSmart classes teach homeowners the basics of landscape water conservation through informative 3-hour workshops based on the principles of Xeriscape.

• Phoenix Smartscape Workshops
• Tucson Smartscape Workshops

Arizona Certified Landscape Professional (ACLP) Program

Sponsored by the Arizona Landscape Contractor’s Association, the ACLP program includes a series of one day workshops and certification exams in the following subject areas: Plant Problems, Soils/Fertilizers, Plant Identification, Irrigation, Equipment/Safety, Color, Tree Planting, Turf/Sod, Calibrations/Pesticides, Tree Pruning and Water Management. 

Arizona Certified Nursery Professional (ACNP) Programs
The Arizona Nursery Association offers two programs: the base program where applicants take a one day class and must pass an exam, and an advanced certification program that includes three modules: Integrated Pest Management, Turf Management, and Irrigation Management

Desert Landscaper School Certification Program  

The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix offers this series of workshops that focus on the care and maintenance of desert-adapted plants including irrigation, troubleshooting, pruning, and installation. 

S.H.A.D.E.: Southwest Horticulture Annual Day of Education

An annual conference for Landscapers, Landscape Architect and Designers, Landscape Supervisors, Nursery Professionals, and the Green Industry, usually held in August.  

National Professional Certifications

WaterSense Certified Landscape Professional
WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  WaterSense landscape irrigation partners are certified through WaterSense labeled programs for their expertise in water-efficient irrigation technology and techniques. 

Find an Arizona Certified Partner!  

Irrigation Association Certifications

The Irrigation Association (IA) a national, non profit organization, provides the following certifications:

• Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC)*
• Certified Irrigation Designer (CID)*
• Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor (CGIA)*
• Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA)*
• Certified Landscape Irrigation Manager (CLIM)* [must be certified as a CIC, CID and either CLIA or CGIA]
• Certified Agricultural Irrigation Specialist (CAIS)
• Certified Water Conservation Manager – Landscape (CWCM-L)

*received the EPA’s Water Sense Label

Find an Arizona Certified Irrigation or Landscape Professional!