PATH TO SR/WA

Your Path to the SR/WA Designation

IRWA's Professional Right of Way Certification Program has three levels: RWA, then RWP, then the SR/WA, the most respected designation in the right of way profession. Each level combines formal education, right of way work experience and IRWA coursework. Here is the path at a glance. Requirements change, so always confirm the details in IRWA's official program guide.

Step 1: RWA (Right of Way Agent)

• Education: 2-year degree, or one of IRWA's in-lieu-of-degree options

• Experience: 1 to 3 years of right of way work, depending on education

• Courses: 100, 102 (Ethics), 200, 600/600C, 800/800C, 900/900C

• Start here: Course 100, Principles of Land Acquisition. See Chapter 52's upcoming courses.

Step 2: RWP (Right of Way Professional)

• Education: 2-year degree

• Experience: 3 to 5 years, depending on education

• Courses: 105, 219, 400/400C, 501 or 502, 700, 801/801C, 901, plus one of 203, 205 or 303

Step 3: SR/WA (Senior Right of Way Professional)

• Education: 4-year degree

• Experience: 5 to 9 years, depending on education

• Courses: 902, 802/802C, one of 504, 506, 803/803C or 421/421C, one of 215, 218 or 235, one of 207 or 209, plus 16 credits of intermediate or advanced courses of your choice

• Exam: comprehensive capstone exam

Good to know

• The full path is 272 course credits.

• RWP and SR/WA coursework must be finished within 10 years of your first required course. Course 102 (Ethics) expires after 5 years.

• IRWA members pay much less for courses than non-members (for example $415 vs. $575 for a 16-credit course), so joining usually pays for itself.

• When you meet the requirements, send your completion application to the Chapter 52 Professional Development (PDC) Chair.

Specialist certifications

If you focus on one discipline, IRWA also offers specialist certifications: R/W-AC (Appraisal), R/W-AMC (Asset/Property Management), R/W-NAC (Negotiation and Acquisition), R/W-RAC (Relocation Assistance), R/W-SEC (Surveying and Engineering) and R/W-URAC (Uniform Act). See the specialist program guides.

Helpful links

• Professional Right of Way Certification Program Guide (PDF)

• Coursework requirements chart (PDF)

• Applications, recertification and FAQs

• Join IRWA

Questions about your path? Ask at a chapter meeting or reach out through our Contact Us page.