Certification Process
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Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for certification, applicants must satisfy ONE of the following per certification:
| PSC Level 1 | PSC Level 2 | PSAP |
|---|---|---|
| • At least six (6) months of relevant work experience. • Currently enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s degree program, preferably in an engineering or technical field. • Completed an associate or bachelor’s degree program, preferably in an engineering or technical field. |
• At least three (3) years of relevant work experience. • Completed an associate degree program in a STEM field and at least two (2) years of relevant work experience. • Completed a bachelor's or graduate degree program in a STEM field and at least one (1) year of relevant experience. • Completed PSC Level 1 and at least one and a half (1.5) years of relevant work experience. |
• At least seven (7) years of relevant work experience. • Completed a bachelor or graduate degree program in a STEM field and at least five (5) years of relevant work experience. |
See the HI 41.8 Program Guideline for Pump System Certification for more in-depth information.
Application and Exam Registration
To take the certification exam, you must submit an application to verify your eligibility as well as register for the exam, i.e., submit the exam fee. You have six (6) months from the date you register for the certification exam to submit your application and take the exam. Once you register for the exam and your application is approved, a verification code is provided via email that will give you access to connect with an online proctor to take the exam.
Exam fees and links to the exam registration and online application for each certification level are shown in the table below.
| Certification Level | Member/Partner Exam Fee | Non-Member/Partner Exam Fee | Member/Partner Retest Fee | Non-Member/Partner Retest Fee | Register for Exam | Submit Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSC Level 1 | $150 | $200 | $75 | $100 | PSC-1 Exam Registration | PSC-1 Application |
| PSC Level 2 | $225 | $340 | $125 | $170 | PSC-2 Exam Registration | PSC-2 Application |
| PSAP | $430 | $575 | $200 | $275 | PSAP Exam Registration | PSAP Application |
NOTE: Group discounts are available. Contact us at training@pumps.org for more information.
Examination
The Hydraulic Institute offers certification exams year-round and is a remote online-proctored exam via MonitorEDU. Certification exams consist of 100 multiple-choice questions covering sixteen (16) knowledge domains. Each exam question has four possible options with only one correct answer.
The time allowed to complete the examination for each certification level are the following:
PSC Level 1 – 2.5 hours
PSC Level 2 – 3.0 hours
PSAP – 3.5 hours
A summary of the exam blueprint for PSC Level 1 and PSC Level 2 is shown below. Note that the Hydraulic Institute committees are currently working on updating the PSAP certification exam to follow the standard 16 Knowledge Domains and is expected to be completed in 2027.
| Knowledge Domains | PSC Level 1 | PSC Level 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Pump Basics | 10% | 2% |
| Pump Performance Curves and Power Consumption | 15% | 4% |
| Pump Systems | 15% | 9% |
| Rotodynamic Pump Designs and Types | 10% | 14% |
| Positive Displacement Pump Designs and Types | 5% | 7% |
| Pump Components and Accessories | 5% | 5% |
| Drivers and Drives | 5% | 5% |
| System Design Considerations | 5% | 9% |
| Varying the Pump Operating Point | 6% | 5% |
| Pump Selection and Specification | 5% | 9% |
| Testing | 5% | 7% |
| Pump Installation, Commissioning, and Startup | 4% | 7% |
| Maintenance | 3% | 5% |
| Troubleshooting | 3% | 6% |
| Pump System Optimization and Analysis | 2% | 2% |
| Markets and Applications | 2% | 4% |
Refer to HI 40.8 and HI 41.8 for more details on the exam blueprint and topics covered.
Recertification
Once granted, the certification is valid for three years. To qualify for certification renewal by Professional Development Units (PDUs) rather than by re-examination, certified individuals must show evidence of ongoing, relevant professional development and work experience and achieve the minimum PDUs required.
| Certification Level | Member/Partner Fee | Non-Member/Partner Fee | Required PDUs | Application | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSC Level 1 | $60 | $80 | 20 | PSC1 Renewal Application | PSC1 Renewal Fee |
| PSC Level 2 | $75 | $100 | 20 | PSC2 Renewal Application | PSC2 Renewal Fee |
| PSAP | $165 | $220 | 30 | PSAP Renewal Application | PSAP Renewal Fee |
Please visit our Recertification Resources webpage for more information on certification renewal.
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