We continue to accept applications for qualified persons to be certified as water right examiners. To become a certified water right examiner, you must:
1. Submit a completed application for certified water right examiner, providing evidence that you meet at least one of the following minimum qualifications:
- Registration in Washington as a professional engineer
- Registration in Washington as a professional land surveyor
- Registration in Washington as a registered (licensed) hydrogeologist
- Ability to demonstrate at least 5 years of applicable experience
- Serve as a current board member of a water conservancy board
- There is no application fee
2. Pay a $300 examination fee; schedule and pass the examination.
3. Submit a signed copy of the rules of professional performance.
4. Pay a $200 initial certification fee.
5. Show proof of financial surety.
The examination
We are now offering the certified water right examiner (CWRE) examination upon request. Once you have an approved application and have paid your fee, email or call the CWRE coordinator to schedule your examination.
As required in RCW 90.03.665, the CWRE examination covers the following subjects:
- Washington water law
- Measuring the flow of water through open channels and enclosed pipes
- Water use and water level reporting
- Estimating the capacity of reservoirs and ponds
- Irrigation crop water requirements
- Interpreting aerial photos
- Legal descriptions of land parcels
- Using maps and global positioning to locate land and water infrastructure
- Properly constructing and sealing well bore
- Other topics related to the preparation and certification of water rights in Washington state
Qualifying to take the exam does not ensure that you can pass it without further study. If you fail the exam, you may retake it as early as 30 days after testing, but you will be required to pay the $300 exam fee each time. The following links provide information to help you prepare for the test: