WQA Training

Build Knowledge, Skills and Confidence

Experienced professionals may be eligible for accelerated pathways toward certification. Visit the accelerated pathways page to learn more.

Ready to take the next step in your water quality career? WQA’s free online practice tests can help you decide where to start!

Certification Pathways

Certified Water Treatment Representative (CWR) Path

For:

Sales Reps

Dealers

System Designers

Course Format:

Live-Online

For professionals selling and configuring treatment options for aesthetic contaminants direct to consumers.

1 course

6 months

1/20/2026-6/30/2026

Tuesdays

8–9am ET/5-6am PT

OR

Thursdays

12-1pm ET/9-10am PT

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Instructor-Led Training

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Certified Water Specialist (CWS) Path

For:

Sales Reps

Technicians

Dealers

Course Format:

Live-Online

For professionals selling and configuring treatment equipment and multistage treatment trains for residential problem water applications, direct to consumers.

2 courses

10 months

1/20/2026-10/27/2026

Tuesdays

8–9am ET/5-6am PT

OR

Thursdays

12-1pm ET/9-10am PT

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Instructor-Led Training

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Certified Service Technician (CST) Path

For:

Technicians

Course Format:

Live-Online

For field professionals servicing existing POU/POE residential treatment systems. Focuses on troubleshooting and correcting underlying problems.

2 courses

10 months

1/20/2026-10/27/2026*

Tuesdays

8–9am ET/5-6am PT

OR

Thursdays

12-1pm ET/9-10am PT

*End date is approximate as Troubleshooting module is self-paced.

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Instructor-Led Training

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Certified Treatment Designer (CTD) Path

For:

System Designers

Technical support

B2B Sales

Course Format:

Online

For those in business-to-business technical sales, technical support, R&D engineers, public health professionals or others involved in supporting selection, troubleshooting and maintenance of POU/POE water treatment technologies and equipment. 

3 courses

13 months

1/20/2026-2/28/2027*

Tuesdays

8–9am ET/5-6am PT

OR

Thursdays

12-1pm ET/9-10am PT

*End date is approximate as the Advanced Design module is self-paced.

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Instructor-Led Training

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Certified Installer (CI) Path

For:

Installers

Course Format:

Live-Online

For professionals who place POE and POU water treatment in residences. Focuses on safe installation, code compliance, and general water treatment equipment knowledge. 

1 course

5 months

1/20/2026-6/9/2026

Tuesdays

8–9am ET/5-6am PT

OR

Thursdays

10-11am ET/7-8am PT

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Instructor-Led Training

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WQA Instructor-led training puts you on the pathway toward
professional certification

Individual Classes

Assessing Water Quality Problems

For:

Service techs

Sales Reps

System Designers

Dealers

Certification Coursework:

CWS/CWR/CST/CTD 

Course Format:

Live-Online

This 14-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.

2 hours/week

14 weeks

New classes start the week of Jan. 19, 2026

Registration will open at the end of November

Instructor-Led Training

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Installer Training Course

For:

Installers

Certification Coursework:

CI 

Course Format:

Live-Online

This course addresses best practices, treatment equipment operation, premise plumbing systems, safe drains, pressure loss, and installation procedures. Successfully completing this one course qualifies you to take the Certified Installers exam.

2 hours/week

21 weeks

New classes start in January, 2026

Registration will open at the end of November

Instructor-Led Training

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Application & Sizing of POU/POE Treatment for Aesthetic Contaminants

For:

Service techs

Sales Reps

System Designers

Dealers

Certification Coursework:

CWS/CWR/CST/CTD 

Course Format:

Live-Online

This 15-week course moves from identifying problems into how to select and correctly size treatment equipment for aesthetic contaminants. It is the final course in the CWR coursework and the second in a series for the CWS/CST/CTD titles.

2 hours/week

15 weeks

New classes start the week of Jan 19, 2026

Registration will open at the end of November

Instructor-Led Training

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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 third of four for the CTD coursework.

2 hours/week

13 weeks

New classes start the week of Jan. 19, 2026

Registration will open at the end of November

Instructor-Led Training

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Advanced Design Course

For:

System Designers

B2B sales & support

Technical sales & support

Certification Coursework:

CTD

Course Format:

Self-paced

Online

This course includes the treatment processes of deionization and sizing tank-based media systems, a discussion of mixed bed systems, various multi-tank control schemes, and factors affecting the efficiency of residential ion exchange softeners. It is the final module required to be eligible to take the CTD exam.

20-30 hours

self-paced

Classes are ongoing
Register any time

Self-paced Training

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Troubleshooting Training

For:

Service technicians

Certification Coursework:

CST

Course Format:

Self-paced

Online

This course reviews best practices for troubleshooting the performance of installed POU and POE systems. The course addresses a variety of POU/POE treatment technologies, includes a review of installation concepts, and treatment options for health-related contaminants. This is the final module required to be eligible to take the CST exam.

40-50 hours

self-paced 

Classes are ongoing
Register any time

Self-paced Training

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Online Short Courses

For:

Installers

Service Techs

Sales Reps

Dealers

System Designers

Engineers

Marketing staff

Course Format:

Self-Paced

Online

Explore short courses through the WQA Water Treatment Learning Center on specific topics that can boost your career. These courses also are excellent options for continuing education credits.

Varies 

Classes are ongoing
Register any time

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