The Dry Stone Conservancy's Certifications Program, federally registered in 2001, is offered to promote public confidence in dry-laid masonry as a desirable building technique and in the skills of certified drystone masons.  As a part of this goal, the Dry Stone Conservancy (DSC) conducts training courses to teach international drystone construction standards, and maintains a register of independent professional masons

The DSC program is the only national certification program for drystone masons in the United States.  The program was modeled after the highly successful professional registry of the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain (DSWA), and was tailored to the needs of preservationists and professional designers in the United States including the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the National Park Service.

Basic training in drystone fence buildings is offered periodically in Kentucky for professional craftsmen.  Special courses are taught on request in other states for aspiring drystone masons, and at various national and state parks for park maintenance personnel.

Advanced Drystone Masonry Training Experience

A major goal of the Dry Stone Conservancy is to provide immediate as well as long-term options for the conservation of Kentucky's historic rock fences and stewardship of America's drystone heritage. One of the means by which this is accomplished is through craft training to develop professional dry stone masons. In addition to providing introductory workshops, the Conservancy also manages advanced restoration and training projects as a means by which aspiring masons can gain work site experience before going out on their own. These advanced projects are paid training positions and focus on skills beyond the basic instruction workshops and the masons’ current abilities while providing constant supervision by certified instructors and advanced craftsmen.

Workshop participants interested in a drystone masonry career are invited to apply for training positions on Conservancy restoration projects in order to upgrade their skills toward professional certification. Through Conservancy partnerships with various preservation agencies, training projects are organized that provide aspiring drystone masons with paid working opportunities while also restoring historic dry stone structures. Trainees are teamed with certified drystone professionals in a mentor/apprentice capacity for on-the-job training, the most effective means by which aspiring masons advance their skills and increase production. When ready, trainees take the Conservancy's rigorous certification exams which are offered at three professional levels: Qualified; Journeyman; and Master Dry Stone Mason. Successful candidates are included on the Conservancy’s Referral List of Certified Professional Dry Stone Masons which is provided to agencies, contractors and the public.

From a project design and management point of view, the Conservancy undertakes these advanced training projects similarly to a design-build firm by providing the site plan, wall or fence design, detail drawings, scope-of-work, specifications and cost estimates, contract negotiation, contract administration including processing change orders and pay requests with the sponsoring agency. Additionally, the Conservancy provides construction management services including regulatory compliance, coordination of trainees, materials and deliveries, payment of training stipends, insurances, materials and other invoices, guarantees for the work and submittal of pay requests to the project owners.

The Conservancy's Training and Certification Program is the only program of its kind in the United States and is endorsed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Kentucky Heritage Council and the National Park Service. Conservancy-certified dry stone masons are pre-qualified by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to undertake drystone specialty work associated with its construction projects.

PROFESSIONAL DRY STONE MASONRY TRAINING

The certification process has multiple levels of professional craftsmen: drystone mason, journeyman, master craftsman, drystone authority, examiner, instructor, and landscape mason.  All levels in the certification program are for professionals in the craft.  Interested craftsmen are invited to participate in two-day introductory course to learn basic drystone techniques.  Following this introduction, participants are encouraged to work as apprentices with certified masons, and on DSC training projects to practice and develop their skills.

DSC training projects are offered periodically in partnerships with sponsoring agencies at restoration sites in Kentucky and throughout the country.  Historic rocks fences, retaining walls, culverts, bridge piers, and dams are repaired as part of advanced training courses.  Projects vary in complexity and are designed to increase the masons' proficiency in sound techniques, durable construction, and a good production rate.  These projects are funded by public and private organizations such as National Park Service, National Forest Service, Soil Conservation Agency, Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, other state and local government agencies, parks, historic sites, and private clients.

When apprentices are confident in their skills, they may apply for certification testing at the various professional levels.  Upon successfully completing the examinations, newly certified masons are included on the list of Certified Dry Stone Masons, which is supplied upon request to government agencies and the general public.  They are also authorized to use the federally-copyrighted DSC Registration Mark on their promotional materials.

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CERTIFICATION LEVELS

DRYSTONE MASON (Level 1):

Drystone Mason is the first, beginning, level in the Conservancy's certification program.  In a basic training course, instructors show slides and how-to video, and explain the theories of internationally-accepted standards.  Coursers are hands-on, and provide the trainees with instruction in every part of building a double-faced drystone fence, while providing continuous monitoring in the field.

To increase skills, gain experience, and prepare for certification, apprentices may then want to participate in the DSC ongoing training projects.  Although participation in the DSC projects is not required for certification, it will be of great assistance in acquiring needed skills.  The basic test requires correctly building a wallhead, a low retaining wall, and a (timed) drystone fence section.  Masons may also increase their skills by working with independent contractors.

JOURNEYMAN MASON (Level 2):

Journeyman Mason is the second level in the Dry Stone Conservancy's certification program.  It is earned by masons with skills above the basic level.  DSC advanced training projects are designed to increase masons' skills in building and repairing strong field fences, roadside walls, retaining walls, and stream bank walls, as well as common drystone features such as curved walls, corners, culverts, and stepped foundations.

MASTER CRAFTSMAN (Level 3):

The Master Craftsman award designates masons who are fully proficient in all aspects of building freestanding fences, retaining walls up to 5 feet in height, and special features commonly incorporated in drystone fences: pillars, arches, and stiles.  In addition to a superior production rate and excellence in building drystone fences and retaining walls, Master Craftsman are experiences in using a variety of rock types.

DRYSTONE AUTHORITY (Level 4):

Drystone Authority is the highest level of achievement in drystone certification.  A Drystone Authority can design, plan, and build advanced drystone structures - read-retaining walls, abutments, bridges, and bridge piers.  The Drystone Authority must have attained accreditation as a Certified Master Craftsman, Certified Examiner and Certified Instructor.  Candidates must posses distinguished drystone skills and knowledge.

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INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION & EXAMINER CERTIFICATION

Certified Instructor and Certified Examiner awards are given to Master Craftsmen who have taken DSC or DSWA training courses, and have passed the requirements to become Certified Instructors and/or Examiners.

DRYSTONE LANDSCAPE MASON - A drystone mason at any certification level may have the additional award of Drystone Landscape Mason.  Landscape masons who produce finely detailed work with a precision finish, and who are fully proficient in all aspects of drystone landscaping, including supervision of major construction projects are named Drystone Landscape Masons, in addition to their certification levels.

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THE APPLICATION PROCESS

HOW TO APPLY FOR ANY CERTIFICATION LEVEL - Prior to beginning any work to be examined or submitting photos of competed work, candidates obtain the current certification requirements and Examination Application Form from the Dry Stone Conservancy.  They complete the form and return it to the DSC with the application fee at least two weeks prior to the test date.  Timed examinations are usually held spring and fall in Kentucky, and by special arrangement at other locations.

APPLICATION FEES - For all certification levels, a non-refundable fee is payable in advance of assessment, to cover examination costs and examiners' fees.  These fees may be periodically adjusted.  In 2004 they are $50 for basic certification, $100 for journeyman, and $150 for master craftsman.  Examinations outside the central Kentucky region will incur additional charges to cover expenses.

THE CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION - Field tests at all levels are conducted by accredited Examiners appointed by the Dry Stone Conservancy.  Two Examiners are needed for all levels above Level 1.  Examinations include a monitored and timed building component at sites selected by the DSC, un-timed built features, and oral sections.  All requirements are judged by international standards.  The Examiners inspect the work, review the photographs, complete the mark sheets, and send a summary of their assessments to the DSC Certification Panel.  The Panel collects references, correlates and evaluates records, and supplies reports on the assessments to the applicants.

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