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Irrigation Technician
Irrigation technician licensing varies by state — some require a dedicated irrigation contractor license, while others regulate it under plumbing or general contractor licenses. Backflow prevention certification is required nearly everywhere. Compare requirements across all 50 states.
51
Total States
12
Require License
51
Backflow Cert Req
11
Exam Required
Irrigation technician licensing is regulated at the state level, with requirements varying significantly. Here are the three key areas to address.
Some states — including Texas, Florida, California, North Carolina, and Virginia — require a specific irrigation contractor or technician license. Other states regulate irrigation work under plumbing or general contractor licenses. Check your state's specific requirements.
Backflow prevention certification is required in virtually all jurisdictions for irrigation work connected to potable water supplies. This protects public water from contamination. Certification is typically obtained through ASSE, ABPA, or state-approved programs.
The Irrigation Association (IA) offers widely recognized certifications including CIC (Certified Irrigation Contractor), CID (Certified Irrigation Designer), and CLIA (Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor). These demonstrate professional competency and can enhance career opportunities.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | License Req | License Type | Backflow Cert | Exam | Total Fees | Renewal | CE Req | Confidence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Yes | Contractor License — Landscape Irrigation (ROC KB-02) | Yes | Yes | $1,050-$2,250 | Biennial (2 years) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | Yes | C-27 Landscaping Contractor or D-35 Landscaping Specialty (CSLB) | Yes | Yes | $1,480-$2,680 | Biennial (2 years) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Yes | Irrigation Contractor License (DBPR/CILB) | Yes | Yes | $1,099-$2,299 | Biennial (2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Yes | Irrigation Contractor License | Yes | Yes | $950-$2,150 | Biennial (2 years) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | Yes | Licensed Landscape Irrigator (DEQ) | Yes | Yes | $825-$2,025 | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Yes | Landscape Irrigation Contractor (State Contractors Board) | Yes | Yes | $1,200-$2,400 | Biennial (2 years) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Yes | Underground Lawn Sprinkler Registration | Yes | No | $790-$1,990 | Biennial (2 years) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Yes | Irrigation Contractor License (NC ICLB) | Yes | Yes | $900-$2,100 | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Yes | Landscape Contractor License (LCB) | Yes | Yes | $975-$2,175 | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Yes | Licensed Irrigator (TCEQ) | Yes | Yes | $916-$2,116 | Annual | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Yes | Contractor License — Landscape Irrigation | Yes | Yes | $875-$2,075 | Biennial (2 years) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Yes | Landscape Irrigation Contractor License (DPOR) | Yes | Yes | $935-$2,135 | Biennial (2 years) | Yes | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | No | — | Yes | No | $350-$1,500 | Varies (backflow certification typically annual) | No | medium | Mar 2026 |
Irrigation technicians often work alongside other licensed professionals in landscaping, plumbing, and construction. Explore related licensing requirements.
Study guides for irrigation contractor licensing and backflow certification exams.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.