For:
Sales Reps
Technicians
Dealers
Course Format:
Live-Online
A CWS certification demonstrates a water treatment professional’s advanced knowledge and skill in selling and configuring treatment equipment and multistage treatment trains for residential problem water applications. Consumers recognize the CWS badge as a mark of solid skills and credibility, boosting their confidence in the pro’s recommendations and performance.
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2-course series
8 months
Winter classes start the week of Jan. 20, 2026
Offered at two different times for East Coast/West Coast convenience
Tuesdays
8–9am ET/5-6am PT
Thursdays
12-1pm ET/9-10am PT
This is a 2-course series led by expert instructors and includes live, remote classes and online assignments. Learn to:
- Identify the problems caused by aesthetic contaminants and test for them
- Interpret drinking water reports
- Apply and size POU/POE treatment technologies for aesthetic and drinking water contaminants
- Explain the benefits of certified products
- Resolve ethical dilemmas and comply with anti-trust regulations
- Relevant Field Experience- Minimum of six months experience selling POU/POE water treatment equipment in the B2C market
- Complete Prerequisite Coursework- Instructor-Led Training –
Course 1: Foundation of POU/E Water Treatment
Course 2: Application & Sizing of POU/POE Treatment for Drinking Water Contaminants - Pass Certified Water Treatment Representative Exam
- Maintain certification/recertification requirements
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Foundation of POU/E Water Treatment
For:
Service techs
Sales Reps
System Designers
Dealers
Certification Coursework:
CWS/CWR/CST/CTD
Course Format:
Live-Online
This 23-week course is WQA’s Introductory Instructor-led course on POU/POE Water Treatment and the first course required for the CWS/CWR/CST/CTD certification titles. It walks the learner through identifying aesthetic problems, onsite testing, interpreting water analyses for aesthetic contaminants, and drinking water regulations. It also discusses selecting and correctly sizing treatment equipment for aesthetic contaminants. The course includes an overview of consumer protection laws, WQA’s Code of Ethics, and the product certification process and standards.
2 hours/week (includes time for homework)
23 weeks
Offered at two different times for East Coast/West Coast convenience
Instructor-Led Training
Application & Sizing of POU/POE Treatment for Drinking Water Contaminants
For:
System Designers
Dealers
Certification Coursework:
CWS/CTD
Course Format:
Live-Online
This course focuses on the occurrence, chemical behavior and treatment of contaminants that can be hazardous to health. It is the final course required for the CWS exam and the second of three for the CTD coursework.
2 hours/week
13 weeks
Instructor-Led Training
- Hardness test kit (not strips)
- TDS meter
- pH meter or pH test kit (not strips)
- Chlorine test kit (not strips)
- Iron test kit
- A copy of a drinking water analysis from a certified lab
Complete Certification Bundle
Certified Water Specialist (CWS) Bundle
For:
Sales Reps
System Designers
Dealers
The Water Specialist Training bundle includes:
Course 1: Foundation of POU/E Water Treatment
Course 2: Application & Sizing of POU/POE Treatment for Drinking Water Contaminants
Certified Water Specialist (CWS) Exam Fee
Pricing
$1,999
Members
$3,979*
Non-members
*Price includes 3% convenience fee
Instructor-Led Training
WQA offers accelerated pathways to achieve the CWS.
For professionals with 2+ years of experience selling and configuring treatment equipment and multistage treatment trains for residential problem water applications, direct to consumers.
- 2+ years of experience specifying problem water treatment for B2C applications
- Pass Two Challenge Tests for Assessing Water Quality & Application & Sizing of POU/POE Water Treatment for Aesthetic Contaminants
- Complete self-paced online Ethics Course
- Pass Certification Exam
CWS Accelerated Path Bundle:
Two Assessment Tests
Ethics Course
CWS Exam
* Optional
Offered at two different times for East Coast/West Coast convenience
Winter
Start Date: Jan 20, 2026 OR Jan 23, 2026 | 23-week course
Tuesdays 8-9 am ET/5-6 am PT OR Thursdays 12-1 pm ET/9-10 am PT
Spring
Start Date: May 19, 2026 OR May 20, 2026 | 23-week course
Tuesdays 11 am-12 pm ET/8-9 am PT OR Wednesdays 8-9 am ET/5-6 am PT