Occupational Licenses: Landscape Irrigator, Irrigation Technician and Irrigation Inspector
Information about the licensing of individuals who install, maintain, inspect or design landscape irrigation systems.
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Landscape Irrigator, Irrigation Technician and Irrigation Inspector Licensing Overview
State Regulations:
A person may not sell, design, install, maintain, alter, repair, service or inspect an irrigation system—or consult in these activities—in this state, unless the person is licensed by the TCEQ. While connecting an irrigation system to a water supply, a licensed irrigation technician must be under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape irrigator.
- Landscape Irrigator (LI) can sell, design, consult, install, maintain, alter, repair, or service an irrigation system, including the connection of such system to a private or public, raw or potable water supply or any water supply. This includes water wells in unincorporated areas of the state.
- Irrigation Technician (IT) can connect a landscape irrigation system to a water supply, including installing a backflow prevention device; and may maintain, alter, repair, service, or direct the installation of an irrigation system under the supervision of a licensed irrigator.
- Irrigation Inspector (II) are responsible for verifying that permits have been obtained. They can inspect the irrigation system, determine if the irrigation system complies with the rule requirements, determine if the appropriate backflow prevention device is installed, provide test results to the water purveyor, and investigate complaints.
To become licensed as a Landscape Irrigator, Irrigation Technician, or Irrigation Inspector, an applicant must:
- complete the required training,
- complete the TCEQ application,
- submit a criminal history attestation,
- pay the fee ($111), and
- pass the applicable exam (minimum score of 70 percent for each section).
Landscape Irrigator (LI) License Requirements
Education and Work Experience
- No education required
- No work experience required
Training Course (Basic Training Providers for Landscape Irrigation)
- Basic Irrigator Licensing Course
Application and Examination
To submit an application please visit the TCEQ's Occupational Licensing online application.
Once received, reviewed and approved, the TCEQ will mail you an approval letter to the mailing address on your application. Processing time is approximately 3-4 weeks, barring any deficiencies.
Once your approval letter has been received, contact your local computer-based testing center, for exam availability and registration. Due to the six-hour length of the exam, not all CBT centers can accommodate more than 4-hour exams. Please confirm with the CBT center before scheduling.
Note: If you hold a current Irrigation Technician license, it will be expired upon issuance of a Landscape Irrigator license.
Per 30 Texas Administrative Code §30.117 (1) An Irrigation technician is a person who works under the supervision of a licensed irrigator to install, maintain, alter, repair, service, or supervise installation of an irrigation system, including the connection of such system in or to a private or public, raw or potable water supply system or any water supply.
Therefore, obtaining the Landscape Irrigator license supersedes the need for the Irrigation Technician license.
Irrigation Technician (IT) License Requirements
Education and Work Experience
- No education required
- No work experience required
Training Course (Training Providers for Irrigation Technician)
- Irrigation Technician Course, or
- Basic Irrigator Licensing Course
Application and Examination
To submit an application please visit the TCEQ's Occupational Licensing online application.
Once received, reviewed and approved, the TCEQ will mail you an approval letter to the mailing address on your application. Processing time is approximately 3-4 weeks, barring any deficiencies.
Once your approval letter has been received, contact your local computer-based testing center, for exam availability and registration.
The Irrigation Technician vocabulary guidance includes English and Spanish irrigation terms used in documents related to landscape irrigation and on TCEQ's exam.
For questions on the registration process, contact TCEQ (512-239-6133).
Irrigation Inspector (II) License Requirements
Education and Work Experience
- No education required
- No work experience required
Required Training Courses (Training Providers for the Irrigation Inspector)
- Basic Landscape Irrigator Licensing Course,
- Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Course, and
- A Water Conservation Course or a Water Audit Course.
The Irrigation Inspector curriculum guidance includes a description of the courses required for this license, including a list of approved water conservation and water audit courses. There is currently no approved landscape irrigation inspector course.
Application and Examination
To submit an application please visit the TCEQ's Occupational Licensing online application.
Once received, reviewed and approved, the TCEQ will mail you an approval letter to the mailing address on your application. Processing time is approximately 3-4 weeks, barring any deficiencies.
Once your approval letter has been received, contact your local computer-based testing center for exam availability and registration.
For questions on the registration process, contact TCEQ (512-239-6133).
Landscape Irrigation Program Conflict of Interest Affidavit
Pursuant to 30 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 30, Subchapter D, §30.120(f), individuals who own an irrigation company, consult for an irrigation company, or work for an irrigation company may not simultaneously be an Irrigation Inspector.
An individual may maintain both the Landscape Irrigator (LI) and Irrigation Technician (IT) licenses and obtain an Irrigation Inspector (II) license; however, they may not be used concurrently.
If an individual holds a current Irrigation Inspector license and chooses to reactivate, either their Landscape Irrigator or their Irrigation Technician license, they may no longer engage in any irrigation inspections that rely upon or require a valid Irrigation Inspector License.
All licensees that currently hold a Landscape Irrigator or Technician license and an Irrigation Inspector license, and wish to keep both licenses current, must complete the Landscape Irrigation Program Conflict of Interest Affidavit along with the renewal application.
License Exemptions
View 30 TAC §30.129 for a list of all exemptions.
Note, a person who is exempt from the license requirements shall comply with the standards established in 30 TAC, Chapter 344 .
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements
Occupational licenses are valid for three years. Renewal applicants must:
- complete the required hours of continuing education (CE),
- Landscape Irrigators - 24 hours
- Irrigation Technicians - 16 hours
- Irrigation Inspectors- 24 hours
- Landscape Irrigation Program Conflict of Interest Affidavit**
- submit a renewal application,
- submit a criminal history attestation, and
- pay the renewal fee ($111).
CE hours must be acquired prior to the expiration of the license and may be obtained any time during the validity of the license. Search the License Information webpage to view current CE hours earned.
**All licensees that currently hold a Landscape Irrigator or Technician license and an Irrigation Inspector license, and wish to keep both licenses current, must complete the Landscape Irrigation Program Conflict of Interest Affidavit along with the renewal application.