Professional Designations

HISTORY OF CGSA’S PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION PROGRAMS:

• In 1987 the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) introduced the Master Superintendent® (MS™) accreditation program and in 1994 an exam was developed to go along with the MS™ Program.
• In 1998 the National Occupational Standards (NOS) was developed. These standards encompassed nine responsibilities of the superintendent, identified 52 competencies that a superintendent should possess and outlined 159 behaviours and skills required to perform the professional responsibilities of a superintendent at the highest level.
• In 2001 the NOS was approved and accepted by the membership.
• In 2006 an updated Master Superintendent® program and a new Accredited Golf Superintendent™ program was launched.
• In 2011 the eligibility criteria of both the Master Superintendent® program and a new Accredited Golf Superintendent™ program were revised and in July the AGS® exam was made available to Assistant Superintendent members that met the criteria.
• In 2019 the Board of Directors approved the recommendation by the Professional Development and Accreditation Committee to alter the Master Superintendent® exam criteria.  The amendments that have been implemented are the number of questions moving to 150, with a time limit of 3 hours.  Successful exam participants must reach an overall average on the exam of 70%. For a copy of the updated criteria, please click here.

For more information on applying for any of these designations including the eligibility, please see the information below.

MASTER SUPERINTENDENT (MS) - Eligibility

• At least eight (8) consecutive years as a CGSA “Superintendent” or “Golf Course Management” member;
• Hold the Accredited Golf Superintendent™ (AGS®) designation, and;
• Complete the Master Superintendent exam with the required passing grade (exam is three (3) hours and  includes nine sections and 150 questions; candidates must achieve a minimum grade of fifty percent (50%) in each section and an overall average of 70%).
• Master Superintendent (MS) Application Form
• Program Credit Values
• MS Exam Breakdown
• Recommended Readings
• MS Guidelines and Terms of Use
• Master Superintendent (MS) Renewal Application Form

ACCREDITED GOLF SUPERINTENDENT (AGS)

• Three (3) consecutive years experience as a Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent;
• Achieve fifty (50) Continuing Education Credits (CEC) within the three (3) previous years;
• Must be a CGSA Member in good standing in either the Golf Superintendent or Golf Course Management categories when you submit your application; and
• Complete the exam with the established passing grade (exam is two (2) hours in length with one hundred (100) questions) and achieve an overall mark of 70% and a minimum grade of 50% in each section).
• Accredited Golf Superintendent Application (AGS) Form
• Program Credit Values
• Dacum Chart
• AGS Exam Breakdown
• Recommended Readings
• AGS Guidelines & Terms of Use
• Accredited Golf Superintendent (AGS) Renewal Form

ACCREDITED ASSISTANT GOLF SUPERINTENDENT (AAGS)

• Three (3) years experience as an CGSA Assistant Superintendent member;
• Achieve fifty (50) Continuing Education Credits (CEC) within the three (3) previous years;
• Must be a CGSA Member in good standing in either the Golf Superintendent, Golf Course Management or Assistant Superintendent categories when you submit your application
• Accredited Golf Superintendent/Assistant (AAGS) Application Form
• Program Credit Value
• Dacum Chart
• AGS Exam Breakdown
• Recommended Readings
• Guidelines & Terms of Use 
• Accredited Golf Superintendent/Assistant (AAGS) Renewal Form

If you have any questions, or require more information please contact , Lori Micucci