Winter Term · Conference Education Programme
2026 Annual Conference
Education Programme
The Irrigation Industry Association of British Columbia offers its Winter Term of professional education in person during the Annual Conference. Review the course offerings, fee schedule and examination requirements below, then register through the IIABC course registration system.
All conference education courses are in-person training delivered at the Coast Bastion Hotel. The hybrid Leadership Forum is a separate conference event; the courses on this page take place in the classroom, in Nanaimo.
Standard course-day schedule
Your Day
Writing an examination? Your day continues until 6:30 PM — plan your transportation and evening accordingly. Courses without an examination conclude at 4:30 PM.
Winter Term 2026 · Offered in person during the Annual Conference
Course Offerings
Each course runs 8:30 AM–4:30 PM at the Coast Bastion Hotel, with lunch at 12:00 PM. Course books and study materials are provided at check-in on the morning of your course — there is nothing to collect in advance. All fees are subject to GST.
Schedule of fees
Course, Examination & Rewrite Fees
Fees are set by the Association and published on the official Courses Overview & Outlines page. All fees are subject to GST.
| Course | Duration | Course fee — Member | Course fee — Non-member | Certification exam¹ | Exam rewrite² |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Irrigation Technician — Level 1 (CIT Level 1) | 1 day | $425 + GST | $500 + GST | $200 + GST | $150 + GST |
| Certified Irrigation Technician — Agriculture (CIT-Ag) | 2 days | $550 + GST | $600 + GST | $200 + GST | $150 + GST |
| Certified Irrigation Technician — Level 2 Landscape (CIT Level 2) | 2 days | $550 + GST | $600 + GST | $200 + GST | $150 + GST |
| Electrical Troubleshooting Course (ELEC-TRB) | 1 day | $500 + GST | $600 + GST | No exam | — |
| Fundamentals of Irrigation Design (FID) | 1 day | $500 + GST | $600 + GST | No exam | — |
¹ Certification examinations. The optional certification examination is available to eligible participants at $200 + GST. Under the programme rules, non-members are not eligible to write certification examinations, and course-specific prerequisites also apply. Paying the examination fee does not override an eligibility requirement. Become an IIABC member.
² Examination rewrites. If a rewrite is required, the exam rewrite fee is $150 + GST. This applies to any course with an attached examination.
Certification
If You Are Writing an Examination
Your instructional course runs until 4:30 PM. The certification examination begins immediately afterward and runs from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Plan your transportation and evening accordingly — particularly if you are travelling by ferry or air.
Certification Examination
Want to write the examination but haven't paid for it yet?
That's okay. If you are eligible to write the certification examination, the exam fee can be paid through your IIABC account. If you need assistance, a member of staff at the registration desk can help you with the payment process.
Please note: payment eligibility and examination eligibility are distinct. Non-members are not eligible to write certification examinations, and where a programme prerequisite applies, paying the examination fee does not override that prerequisite.
When will I receive my certificate?
If you are eligible for the certification, write the applicable examination, and achieve the required 75% passing grade, your certificate will be issued the same day.
Course completion ≠ certification
Attending a course does not, on its own, result in certification. Certification requires successfully passing the applicable certification examination and satisfying the programme's eligibility requirements.
Two-day courses
For two-day courses — CIT-Ag and CIT Level 2 Landscape — the certification examination takes place after completion of the full course, on the final day, not after Day 1.
Prerequisites
CIT Level 1 has no prerequisite. CIT Level 2 Landscape and CIT-Ag build on CIT Level 1: participants without CIT Level 1 certification may attend the instructional sessions but are not eligible to write the Level 2 or CIT-Ag examination.
Before you register
What to Know Going In
Course Materials
You do not need to pick up your course materials in advance. Your course books and applicable study materials will be provided to you when you check in on the morning of your course. Nothing is mailed, there is nothing to download, no separate purchase is required, and you do not need to visit the IIABC office.
Confirm your date or dates
Two-day courses require attendance on both scheduled days.
Arrive ready for an 8:30 AM start
Final check-in and classroom directions will be communicated separately if not already available.
Review examination eligibility early
Certification examinations are $200 + GST for eligible participants. Membership and course prerequisites apply; eligible participants may add the exam later through their IIABC account, but earlier is easier.
Writing an examination? Remain until 6:30 PM
Examinations run 4:30–6:30 PM after instruction ends. Book ferries and flights with that in mind.
Getting here
Travel, Hotel & Venue
All courses take place at the Coast Bastion Hotel, 11 Bastion Street, Nanaimo, BC.
Staying in Nanaimo
Coast Bastion Hotel
11 Bastion Street, Nanaimo, BC
An IIABC group hotel rate is available for conference attendees.
Book the Group Hotel RateTravelling by Ferry
From the Vancouver area: Horseshoe Bay → Departure Bay, Nanaimo — approximately 2 hours, though sailing times can vary with travel conditions.
Book BC FerriesBy Air
Nanaimo Airport (YCD) is approximately 20 minutes from the Coast Bastion Hotel.
Parking
Hotel guests have access to hotel guest parking. Day-parking information for course attendees will be included with final event instructions.
Accessibility
Coast Bastion Hotel is accessible. Participants requiring a specific accommodation should contact iiabc@irrigationbc.com before the course so arrangements can be discussed.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does my course run?
Courses run from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. If you are writing an applicable certification examination, the exam runs from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
What time is lunch?
Lunch begins at 12:00 PM.
Do I need to bring my course book?
No. Your course books and applicable study materials will be provided at check-in on the day of your course.
Is the exam open book?
No. Applicable certification examinations are closed book.
What is on the certification exam?
The applicable CIT certification examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions.
How long is the exam?
Two hours, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
What grade do I need to pass?
You must achieve 75% to pass the applicable certification examination.
When do I receive my certificate?
If you meet the certification eligibility requirements and pass the applicable examination with at least 75%, your certificate is issued the same day.
How much does the exam cost, and what if I need to rewrite it?
The applicable CIT certification examination fee is $200 + GST for eligible participants.
If a rewrite is required, the exam rewrite fee is $150 + GST. This applies to any course with an attached examination.
I am not an IIABC member — can I write the certification exam?
Under the programme rules, non-members are not eligible to write certification examinations. Non-members are welcome to attend the courses at the non-member course fee.
If you would like to pursue certification, you can become an IIABC member.
I registered for the course but forgot to pay for the exam. What do I do?
Do not worry. If you are eligible to write the examination, you can pay the applicable exam fee through your IIABC account. If you need assistance, a member of staff at the registration desk can help you.
Applicable CIT examination fee: $200 + GST.
Can I decide to write the exam on the course day?
If you are eligible for the examination and space/administration permits, the registration desk can assist with adding the applicable exam fee. We recommend arranging your examination registration as early as possible.
Do I get certified just for taking the course?
No. Course attendance and certification are different. Where a certification examination applies, you must meet the programme eligibility requirements and achieve the required 75% passing grade to receive certification.
Registration issues
Contact
Most day-of logistics are answered above and in your confirmation email. For genuine registration issues, please contact the IIABC Education / Registration Office:
205-2469 Montrose Avenue
Abbotsford, BC V2S 3T2