EMCP Level 1

Training and skills recognition for equipment managers and technicians

Equipment Management Certificate Program Level 1 is a series of exams designed to demonstrate proficiency in key competency areas related to turf equipment. This certificate program is available to any and all turf equipment technicians regardless of whether you work for a golf course.

The program is made up of eight exams covering the key competency areas of:

  • cutting units
  • drivetrain systems
  • electrical systems
  • engine technology
  • hydraulic systems
  • metalworking and fabrication
  • spray systems
  • fundamentals of turfgrass operations

You can choose to take one exam or work to complete the entire program by successfully completing all eight exams in any order.


Become a GCSAA member to save on EMCP

GCSAA members can save up to $200 over the non-member price when they complete all eight exams, which more than pays for the $115 annual membership dues for an equipment manager. But EMCP savings is just one of the many ways you can grow your career by becoming a GCSAA Equipment Manager member. Learn more about free education, career resources, professional connections and exclusive benefits like healthcare insurance access that come with being a GCSAA member.

Join GCSAA


This exam is a closed book, online exam. You will need a computer with internet access and a printer to take the exam. If you are using a laptop, we highly recommend you also use a mouse.

Details

  • cutting units: 47 questions (90 minutes)
  • drivetrain systems: 30 questions (60 minutes)
  • electrical systems: 30 questions (60 minutes)
  • engine technology: 60 questions (120 minutes)
  • hydraulic systems: 30 questions (60 minutes)
  • metalworking and fabrication: 30 questions (60 minutes)
  • spray systems: 30 questions (60 minutes)
  • fundamentals of turfgrass operations: 30 questions (60 minutes)

Pricing

  • GCSAA member = $40 per exam
  • Non-members of GCSAA = $60 per exam

With each purchase of the exam, you will have two attempts to successfully pass that exam. If you have not passed after these two attempts, you will need to purchase the exam again. 

After successfully passing an exam, you will be able to print a certificate of achievement. 

Access the exam portal

GCSAA members »


Non-members »

 

Each exam has study materials available in a printed or electronic format. You can choose which format works best for you. The study guides include instructional materials, competencies, testing objectives and sample questions. While the study guides are useful resources in preparing to take the exams, they are not required reading and should not be interpreted as the sole resource for preparing for the exams. (If you purchased a EMCP study guide in the last year, there is no need to purchase a new EMCP study guide.)

Purchase study guides.

You’ve heard about the eight exams that make up Level 1 of the EMCP, but did you know GCSAA now has courses to help you have a positive result when you take the tests? Seminars held at GIS were recorded, edited and are now available On Demand in the Learning Hub.

Following are sample clips to give you an idea of what the full recordings are like:

Electrical and DriveTrain sample

Sprayer and Metalwork sample

These and other EMCP prep courses are available as a free member benefit. Check out this category of On Demands in the Learning Hub.

GCSAA congratulates the following members who completed a certificate in the first quarter of 2025:

  • Ikechukwu Abeme-Odili
  • Anthony Aguilar
  • Steven Alcaraz
  • Brad Bailey
  • Ryan Baker
  • Logan Barker
  • John Clark
  • Tanner Coble
  • Michael Cook
  • Wickey Vila Coreano
  • Xavier Cornant
  • Steven Crews
  • Joshua Donley
  • Matthew Evans
  • Justin Farnsworth
  • Kevin Floyd
  • Evan Forgue
  • Rigo Garcia
  • Micheal Harris
  • Bob Harshfield
  • Kelly Hartman
  • George Hawkins
  • Michael Henderson
  • Michael Howes
  • Evan Jochim
  • Bradley Klausing
  • Ryan Leach
  • Ronald Leggett
  • Nick Magnuson
  • Michael Maniaci
  • Barry McDonald
  • Doug Meier
  • Jose Mendez
  • Joel Miller
  • Shane Miller
  • Jade Moynihan
  • John Niemiec
  • Mark Paxton
  • Kathryn Phillips
  • Luis Pizarro
  • Matt Price
  • Josh Reiter
  • Mark Rivera
  • Jay Rogers
  • Clovis Rousseau
  • Colin Smith
  • Bricen Steinquist
  • Brian Stewart
  • Richard Syty
  • Luke Thiel
  • Brian Thompson
  • Ryan Watts
  • Nathaniel Wright
  • Kalman Zaranec