Credibility
WQA certification is a voluntary credentialing process that demonstrates a commitment to high professional standards, strong expertise, and improved customer service.
Earning a professional certification title brings many advantages:
- Credibility
- Confidence
- Increased Knowledge
- Competitive Advantage
- Professionalism
- Saved Time and Money with Reduced Errors & Fewer Call-Backs
- Time Back to Managers & Business Owners to Focus on Growth & Strategy
Get Certified
To achieve any WQA-certified designation, the candidate must complete the appropriate prerequisites, pass a comprehensive exam and agree to abide by the WQA Code of Ethics for the water treatment industry.
Accelerated Pathways to Certification for Experienced Personnel
WQA offers an accelerated pathways to achieve all initial* certification titles.
*Does not include Master Water Specialist
To learn more about Accelerated Pathways click here
Ready to take the next step in your water quality career? WQA’s free online practice tests can help you decide where to start!
Certified Water Treatment Representative (CWR)
For professionals selling and configuring treatment options for aesthetic contaminants, direct to consumers.
Eligibility for this certification requires:
- 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: Assessing Water Quality Problems
Course 2: Application & Sizing of POU/POE Treatment for Aesthetic Contaminants - Pass Certified Water Treatment Representative Exam- Included with purchase of training
- Maintain Certification- Recertification Requirements
Certified Water Specialist (CWS)
For professionals selling and configuring treatment equipment and multistage treatment trains for residential problem water applications, direct to consumers.
Eligibility for this certification requires:
- 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: Assessing Water Quality Problems
Course 2: Application & Sizing of POU/POE Treatment for Aesthetic Contaminants
Course 3: Application & Sizing of POU/POE Treatment for Drinking Water Contaminants - Pass Certified Water Specialist Exam – Included with purchase of training
- Maintain Certification- Recertification Requirements
Certified Installer (CI)
For professionals placing POE and POU water treatment in residences. Focuses on safe installation, code compliance, and general water treatment equipment knowledge.
Eligibility for this certification requires:
- Relevant Field Experience- Minimum of six months experience installing POU/POE water treatment equipment.
- Complete Prerequisite Coursework- Instructor-Led Installer Training Course
- Pass Certified Installer Exam- Included with purchase of training
- Maintain Certification- Recertification Requirements
Certified Treatment Designer (CTD)
Designed 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.
Eligibility for this certification requires:
- Relevant Field Experience– Minimum of one-year B2B experience in R&D, technical sales/technical support of POU/POE equipment & applications.
- Complete Prerequisite Coursework- Choose between a fully self-paced online option for all four training modules or instructor-led training plus the self-paced Advanced Treatment Design Course
Course 1: Assessing Water Quality Problems
Course 2: Application & Sizing of POU/POE Treatment for Aesthetic Contaminants
Course 3: Application & Sizing of POU/POE Treatment for Drinking Water Contaminants
Course 4: Advanced Treatment Design (self-paced & online, only)
Explore Courses & Register - Pass Certified Treatment Designer Exam- Included with purchase of training
- Maintain Certification- Recertification Requirements
Certified Service Technician (CST)
For field professionals servicing existing POU/POE residential treatment systems. Focuses on troubleshooting and correcting underlying problems.
Eligibility for this certification requires:
- Relevant Field Experience- Minimum of six months experience troubleshooting POU/POE water treatment for problem water applications in the B2C market
- Complete Prerequisite Coursework- Instructor-Led Training –
Course 1: Assessing Water Quality Problems
Course 2: Application & Sizing of POU/POE Treatment for Aesthetic Contaminants
Course 3: Troubleshooting Module (self-paced, online) - Pass Certified Service Technician Exam- Included with purchase of training
- Maintain Certification- Recertification Requirements
Master Water Specialist (MWS)
Reflects broad experience in treatment design for health-related contaminants and problem water applications.
Eligibility for this certification requires:
- Hold CWS Certification in Good Standing & Relevant Field Experience- Minimum of five years experience applying POU/POE water treatment for problem water applications in the B2C market
- Complete Prerequisite Coursework- Self-Paced, Online Advanced Design Course – Explore Courses & Register
- Pass Master Certified Specialist Exam- Included with purchase of training
- Maintain Certification- Recertification Requirements
No longer offered: CCO program
The Certified Contractual Operator for Very Small Systems (CCO) Program provided persons in the POE/POU water quality improvement industry with the education and expertise needed to serve as contractual operators for very small systems and the credentials that document their qualifications to provide operator services to such systems. The certification program was introduced in 1996 and still has some title holders, but the program is no longer offered through WQA.