Get Certified

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) - See above for training dates and times
• 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