Get Certified
Certification Training Dates
Salt certification trainings are listed on the WiSaltwise Events page.
How to Get Certified
The City of Madison has worked with public and private salt applicators and a Dane County advisory team to develop the new voluntary Winter Salt Certification Program, open to everyone in Dane County.
Certification can be for individuals or organizations and lasts 5 years.
(Those who have already taken the training will be certified for 5 years from the date the exam was passed.
Individual Certification
- Attend a winter maintenance training session (6 hours).
- Pass a written exam
- Agree to use practices that reduce impacts on the environment
- Two types of training: Roads Class for high/low speed snowplow drivers; Parking Lot/Sidewalk Class for those who maintain private/public walkways and/or parking lots and service roads
What You'll Learn
- Chemistry or salt use
- Recommended salt application rates
- How to calculate the amount of salt needed based on weather conditions
- Technological advancements like brining, new spreading equipment, alternative products
Organizational Certification
- 30% of salt related staff certified
- Annual Report
- Valid for 1 year
Certification Means:
- Submitted and accepted application that describes current de-icing practices (One application can be submitted for an entire organization OR multiple applications if there are multiples addresses or branches)
- Hands on equipment calibration training
- Tracking use of salt per storm
- Salt savings report – summary & comparative report (must submit each year) to maintain Silver and Gold Level Certification
- List practices used
- Describe areas managed (parking lot, sidewalk, streets)
- Average application rate reporting lb/1000 sf or lb/ lane mile
- Sharing of lessons learned and/or success stories