Certified Watershape Builder (CWB)

Overview

Certifications document a student’s progress through Watershape University (WU) and, ultimately, to the International Watershape Institute (IWI). Credentials can be obtained at multiple steps as the student progresses from a beginning student (“freshman”) to more advanced levels of training and expertise (“senior” and “post-graduate” levels). Credentials are acknowledged via wall certificates and digital badging that is verifiable at verify.watershape.org.

The Certified Watershape Builder (CWB) validates that the recipient has met the globally-recognized professional standard for operating a watershape construction company, documenting proposed designs, estimating projects, and building basic pools, spas and other waterfeatures. This standard requires verification of professional education and training as well as passing a professional certification exam. This designation is a prerequisite to some advanced credentials.

Licensing

The Certified Watershape Builder (CWB) certification may be used for contractor licensing and required continuing education in certain jurisdictions. The CWB certification builds upon the CWF certification; therefore, all Certified Watershape Builders (CWBs) are also CWFs which support licensing in the following jurisdictions:

Application Requirements

Complete the Certified Watershape Foreman (CWF) certification
Complete WU BUSINESS 1611: Essential Business Administration, or pre-approved equivalent. All students receive a Certificate of Completion and 0.8 IACET CEUs after completing B1611 even if they do not pursue the CWB Certification.
Complete WU BUSINESS 3451: Essential Cost Estimating Workshop, or pre-approved equivalent. All students receive a Certificate of Completion and 0.8 IACET CEUs after completing B3451 even if they do not pursue the CWB Certification.
Complete WU DESIGN 2131: Essential SketchUp Workshop for Beginners, or pre-approved equivalent, or challenge the class by submitting representative workproduct. All students receive a Certificate of Completion and 1.6 IACET CEUs after completing D2131 even if they do not pursue the CWB Certification.
Complete WU ENGINEERING 2311: Essential Fluid Engineering Workshop, or pre-approved equivalent. All students receive a Certificate of Completion and 1.6 IACET CEUs after completing E2311 even if they do not pursue the CWB Certification.
Submit equivalent accredited course(s), or representative workproduct to challenge D2131, to satisfy education requirements on the University Portal here.
Apply for Certified Watershape Builder (CWB) Exam below
Pay $100 Exam Fee below
Sign/Accept the WU Code of Ethics below
Sign/Accept the WU Standards of Practice below
Pass the Certified Watershape Builder (CWB) Exam

Equivalent Classes

Watershape University was founded with a principle of accessibility — allowing students of all levels to obtain meaningful high-quality education at lower cost and reduced travel expense. Portability is a key component of access and is an important principle and reason for institutions to obtain and maintain accreditation such as IACET.

All Non-WU courses need to be pre-approved if you wish to use them as a substitute for education requirements. We will happily accept any third-party accredited program that achieves the same learning outcomes as Watershape University’s Essential Classes:

BUSINESS 1611: Essential Business Administration:

8 hour minimum duration
3rd party accreditation (e.g., ABET, ACCE, CMAA, IACET, NAAB)
Identify key facets of running a business, including general and administrative issues, human resources, information technology, legal concerns, marketing, advertising, and sales.
Describe contracts, insurance, liability, and dealing with difficult clients.
Explore how to establish a healthy company culture, including hiring practices and how to retain and retrain employees to reflect that culture.
Develop strategies for growth, from marketing and sales techniques, through construction and finally seamless hand-offs to ensure positive referrals.

BUSINESS 3451: Essential Cost Estimating Workshop:

8 hour minimum duration
3rd party accreditation (e.g., ABET, ACCE, CMAA, IACET, NAAB)
Describe correct markup and gross margin using accurate profit and loss financial data.
Discuss payment schedules, cash flow, and construction contracts.
Identify key factors for maintaining consistent payment schedules for project fees.
List methods for developing accurate construction cost estimates and calculations for items such as weight of reinforcing steel, excavation volume, trenching, concrete, and other project phases.

PHTA/GENESIS BUSINESS 432: Cost Estimating is an approved equivalent

DESIGN 2131: Essential SketchUp Workshop for Beginners:

16 hour minimum duration
3rd party accreditation (e.g., ABET, ACCE, CMAA, IACET, NAAB)
Demonstrate 3D-modeling tools including SketchUp, SketchUp Pro and SketchUp LayOut.
Define axis, drawing tools, solids, extrusions, layers, styles, paint and other applications.
Explore plan views, sections, elevations and other details used to develop presentation models.
Contrast two and three-point perspective.

PHTA/GENESIS DESIGN 202: SketchUp is an approved equivalent.

ENGINEERING 2311: Essential Fluid Engineering Workshop:

16 hour minimum duration
3rd party accreditation (e.g., ABET, ACCE, CMAA, IACET, NAAB)
List key fluid engineering concepts including area, volume, volume, depth, mass, flow rate, pressure, velocity, energy, head pressure and others.
Apply basic hydraulic principles, guidelines, standards and code limitations to watershape design.
Discuss efficiency principles including total dynamic head (TDH), electrical efficiency, energy costs and heating efficiency.
Practice using apps for pipe sizing and other key calculations.

PHTA/GENESIS ENGINEERING 211: Fluid Hydraulics for Pools & Spas is an approved equivalent.

Please submit certificates of completion or transcripts from other institutions by uploading via your personal account on the University Portal here.

Exam / Assessment

Proctored online exam
Schedule exam at your convenience 24/7
Pass with a minimum score of 75%

FAQs

Is this certification accepted by PHTA?

Watershape University is completely independent of PHTA and has obtained approvals from licensing jurisdictions directly. PHTA has no authority over Watershape University and is not required to approve anything.

Will I still need a PHTA CBP to maintain my license?

No. Licensing authorities cannot single-source education and certifications. Continuing education, certifications, and licensing requirements can be obtained through Watershape University completely independent of PHTA.

If you have any other questions, please send an email to [email protected].