Gov. Murphy Signs Irrigation Enforcement Bill: What NJ Homeowners Should Know

There are two credentials to check rather than one: the individual certificate held by the person and the business permit held by the company. This guide covers how to check both, what changed under the law signed in January 2026, and what certification covers on your property.

How to Check an NJ Irrigation Contractor’s License

You need two numbers from the contractor and a few minutes on the DCA site. Both numbers should be easy to get, since certified contractors give them out as a matter of course.

1. Ask for the certificate number. This belongs to the individual who holds the state certification.
2. Ask for the company’s business permit. This is separate from the individual certificate and covers the company performing the work.
3. Verify both through the DCA. The Landscape Irrigation Portal is run by the Division of Codes and Standards and handles certifications and business permits for the state.
4. Contact the Licensing and Education Unit with questions. Email LIC@dca.nj.gov or call 609-984-7834.

If you believe a contractor is working without certification, the DCA publishes a Contractor Certification Verification form that homeowners and contractors can submit to the board.

The Two Credentials and How They Connect

The individual certificate belongs to a person who has met the state’s experience and examination requirements.

The business permit belongs to the company. A business applying for a permit names a Designated Certificate Holder, meaning the certified individual responsible for supervising and inspecting the landscape irrigation work that the business performs.

That link is what a homeowner is really confirming. A company holding a current business permit with a designated certificate holder on file has a certified professional accountable for the work on your property. Checking the certificate alone leaves half the picture.

What a Home Improvement Contractor Registration Covers

Home Improvement Contractor registration covers general home improvement work in New Jersey. Landscape irrigation contracting operates under its own statute, the Landscape Irrigation Contractor Certification Act, and carries its own certificate and business permit requirements.

Ask specifically for the landscape irrigation credentials. An HIC number answers a different question. Our guide to hiring a specialized irrigation contractor covers what else to ask during a quote.

What Changed in January 2026

Governor Murphy signed A-5265/S-3710 into law on January 12, 2026. Three key changes affect how the law works in practice. We covered the background in our irrigation law update.

• Local agencies can now enforce it. Municipal and county construction officials can inspect job sites, assess penalties, and shut down work where a contractor is operating outside the act. Enforcement previously rested with the state board alone.

• Penalties are tiered. Local enforcing agencies may assess up to $5,000 for a first offense, up to $10,000 for a second, and up to $15,000 for each subsequent offense.

• Municipalities keep 70% of what they collect. That share stays with the town or county where the violation occurred, which gives local code offices a direct reason to inspect irrigation work. Homeowners are seeing more attention paid to this than in past seasons, and confirming credentials up front keeps your project clear of unexpected delays or enforcement issues.

What Certification Covers on Your Property

Penalties under the act apply to contractors. For a homeowner, the value of certification shows up in four other places.

• Backflow prevention. Irrigation systems connect to your potable water supply, and certified contractors are trained to install and test the devices that keep that connection safe.

• System design. Certification covers hydraulics, soil conditions, and zone layout, which is what produces even coverage and controlled water use. Our approach to landscape irrigation design starts with the property rather than the product.

• Accountable work. A permitted business has a designated certificate holder responsible for the work, and the board provides a path for resolving problems.

• Project continuity. A job site shut down by a local code official leaves a system unfinished. Confirming credentials before work begins keeps the schedule yours.

How Certification Is Earned

The requirements explain why the certified pool stays small.

Applicants must prove at least three years of landscape irrigation experience, with a minimum of 1,100 hours per year, within the past 15 years. They then pass the national Certified Irrigation Contractor examination, which New Jersey has adopted as its standard. The Irrigation Association maintains New Jersey’s continuing education requirements for renewal.

Licensed master plumbers are exempt from the individual certification examination. Their businesses still obtain a registered landscape irrigation business permit to perform this work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Repairs and Seasonal Maintenance Require a Certified Contractor?

Yes. The statute defines landscape irrigation contracting to include construction, repair, maintenance, improvement, and alteration of any portion of a system, along with the wiring inside it and the connection to your water supply. Spring startups, mid-season checks, and winterization fall under the same requirement as a new installation.

Does the Designated Certificate Holder Have to Be On Site?

The designated certificate holder is responsible for supervising and inspecting the work a permitted business performs. Crews working under that supervision handle day-to-day installation and service. Asking who the designated certificate holder is tells you whose certification stands behind the job.

How Do Certified Contractors Keep Their Certification Current?

Renewal requires continuing education credits reported to the Department of Community Affairs. The Irrigation Association tracks New Jersey’s continuing education requirements, and questions about credits reflected on a record go to the DCA Licensing and Education Unit.

Work With a Certified Team Today!

Checking two numbers takes a few minutes and tells you who stands behind the system on your property.

Environmental Designers Irrigation is a certified landscape irrigation contractor serving Monmouth and Ocean counties. Our service vehicles operate as mobile offices connected to our headquarters in real time, for residential and commercial systems alike.

Contact us to schedule an estimate or an irrigation audit.