Looking for HIP Forms, Design Guidance, or Professional Resources?
GROW YOUR BUSINESS:
THE BENEFITS OF BEING CERTIFIED
Being a HIP-certified 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.
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.
STEP 1: REGISTER FOR A
HIP CERTIFICATION TRAINING COURSE
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!
STEP 3:
TAKE THE TEST
After taking the Certification Course, you will receive a take-home test. Using the envelope provided, or scanning your completed exam into an email, please send your completed test to HIP staff. The sooner we receive and process your exam, the sooner your name will be added to our list of HIP-Certified Professionals!