HELLO,
HIP-APPROVED PROFESSIONAL!

Welcome to the HIP partnership. Let us help you succeed!

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GROW YOUR BUSINESS:

THE BENEFITS OF BEING CERTIFIED

Being a HIP-approved professional will provide your business with access to a pool of clients that are both motivated to complete a HIP project and looking to hire a qualified and trusted professional to do the work. Homeowners participating in HIP will be provided with a budget and a list of companies toward which that budget can be applied. Only certified professionals will be named on that list. In addition, the projects that HIP promotes are commonly part of major projects by both private developers and government agencies, state-wide. Your business could be well-prepared to win that big job if you have experience designing or building these types of facilities.

STEP 1: REGISTER FOR A

HIP CERTIFICATION TRAINING COURSE

April

7

POSTPONED! HIP Designer Workshop

POSTPONED DUE TO LOCAL HEALTH EMERGENCY!!!
Reschedule date TBD.

This four-hour workshop, followed by an optional two-hour working session, will cover the basics of HIP, how your business can be involved, and what to expect when working with HIP clients. After this course, you'll be able to take a test and have your business listed on the HIP-Approved Designer list. For Designers who took the 2017 or 2018 trainings, this workshop will meet all of your continuing education requirements for maintaining your certification through 2023.

April

7

POSTPONED! HIP Designer Workshop

POSTPONED DUE TO LOCAL HEALTH EMERGENCY!!!
Reschedule date TBD.

This four-hour workshop, followed by an optional two-hour working session, will cover the basics of HIP, how your business can be involved, and what to expect when working with HIP clients. After this course, you'll be able to take a test and have your business listed on the HIP-Approved Designer list. For Designers who took the 2017 or 2018 trainings, this workshop will meet all of your continuing education requirements for maintaining your certification through 2023.

Wait List

HIP Designer Training

Choose the "Add My Name to the Wait List" option to be notified when new trainings become available. HIP Staff will typically wait until a number of interested professionals have signed up for the Wait List before planning a new training. Add your name today!

Wait List

HIP Designer Training

Choose the "Add My Name to the Wait List" option to be notified when new trainings become available. HIP Staff will typically wait until a number of interested professionals have signed up for the Wait List before planning a new training. Add your name today!

STEP 2:

PREPARE FOR THE TEST

By completing the HIP Designer or Contractor Training, you will qualify to take the HIP Certification Exam. During class, take special note of any rules or guidelines that are unique to HIP, while also paying attention to concepts that apply more generally to water quality improvement projects. The in-class exercises and real-world case studies are intended to help you practice the type of critical thinking that might be required to pass the exam. Materials provided in class are also available on the HIP website, along with some additional resources to help you pass the test.

HIP CERTIFICATION TRAINING COURSE

  • Complete HIP Certification Training

  • Prepare for the test

  • Take the test

  • Start getting HIP referrals!

ABOUT OUR

HIP CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

The HIP Certification Exam is a test that covers the basic concepts of the HIP and helps to ensure that your business can succeed under the special rules and structure of the HIP. Certification tests are provided for both designers and contractors who complete the HIP Certification Training. The open-note, open-book, take-home test is directly based on the content provided in the training and we will provide you with all of the information you need to find the answers. Questions will be written in a way that helps you hone your knowledge and gives you practice answering the most common questions you may get from participating homeowners.  Only professionals who take the training and score at least 75% on the exam will be added to the HIP Professional Roster that is distributed to homeowners. 

The HIP organizers – the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County and the Whatcom Conservation District – are not endorsing any specific business / contractor / vendor or making any representation or warranty regarding their qualifications, products, or workmanship. The City of Bellingham, Whatcom County and Whatcom Conservation District disclaim any liability that may be alleged to arise from the work of any business / contractor / vendor on a customer project. HIP-Approved Professionals have received a Certification of Completion of HIP-related trainings and examinations, which does not make any guarantees in regard to workmanship, quality, or accuracy in financial estimates.