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.
Exam Fees
You have six(6) months from the time you register to submit your application and take the exam.
| Member/Partner Fee | Non-Member/Partner Fee | Member/Partner Retest Fee | Non-Member/Partner Retest Fee | Register and Apply | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSC Level 1 | $150 | $200 | $75 | $100 | PSC1 Application |
| PSC Level 2 | $225 | $340 | $125 | $170 | PSC2 Application |
| PSAP | $430 | $575 | $200 | $275 | PSAP Application |
Group discounts available. Contact us at certifications@pumps.org for information.
Examination
The Hydraulic Institute offers examinations year-round and is a remote online-proctored exam via MonitorEDU 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 maximum allowed time to complete the examination is the following:
PSC Level 1 – 2.5 hours
PSC Level 2 – 3.0 hours
PSAP – 3.5 hours
A summary of the exam blueprint is provided below.
| Knowledge Domains | PSC Level 1 | PSC Level 2 | PSAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% | % |
Recertification
Once granted, the certification is valid for three years. To qualify for certification renewal by 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 for your specific certification.
Recertification Fees
| 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 | $220 | $185 | 30 | PSAP Renewal Application | PSAP Renewal Fee |
Please visit our Recertification Resources page for more information
Questions? Contact us via our Customer Service Center!