Professional Development Quick Links

BCLNA's seminars, workshops, and training sessions, collectively "Short Courses", are designed to provide you and your team with invaluable access to the latest business methods, techniques, and skills, presented by local and world-renown experts alike. The Association also delivers the internationally developed and recognized Certification programs, offers "primer" courses, distributes Certification resources, and produces test days twice annually. We encourage you to take advantage of these current and relevant professional development programs, and get certified in your area of horticultural expertise. Certification is good business!

Check out this season's Short Course Calendar ...

Suggest a seminar topic to Krista Manton ...

Learn more about Certification ...

Print the Certification Exam Schedule for 2009 ...

Are you renewing your CHT, CLD or CLP? Get the renewal form here...

Find out about Apprenticeship ...

Top


Certification is Good Business

Improve and maintain your competitive edge by getting Certified! Certification assures your clients that you have proven skills as a landscape professional. As a CHT, CLD, or CLP, you have passed nationally developed, practical and written exams, verifying your capabilities in a full complement of job requirements. Many professionals hold certificates, degrees or diplomas, indicating their formal training.   Certification is not a training program: it is proof of know-how in specific areas.

Find a Certified horticulturist in your area (pdf)...

View our gallery of photos from the July Certification Exam Day at Kwantlen Polytechnic University...

Top


Certified Landcape Professional

The Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) is a designation for horticultural business owners and managers. The content of the test covers the skill set or core competencies every business owner should possess to run a successful landscape horticultural company.

More info on Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) designation here...

Download the CLP application package...

Top


Certified Landcape Designer

The Certified Landscape Designer designation will provide you with a means of proving to your clients that you have not only the necessary education and industry experience, but that you have also written and passed an industry exam proving a high degree of proficiency as a landscape designer.

More info on Certified Landscape Designer (CLD) here...

Download the CLD application package...


Top


Certified Horticultural Technician Program

CHT testing is made up of both practical and written examinations. The practical portion requires the applicant to complete a series of testing stations within a specific period of time. No matter the specialty for which you obtain your designation, you are letting your clients know that your skills are proven.

CHT testing is divided into six separate specialty areas. Click on the headings below to download the materials you need to prepare for your exam area. Please note, CHT and the American term "CLT" are used interchangeably as this is an internationally recognized program:

• Test Component Summary: this outlines the requirements for each specialty area
• Common Core Test Book: all CHT candidates must complete this portion of the exam
• BC Plant List: applicable to several specialty areas
• BC Equipment List: for reasons beyond BCLNA's control, equipment substitutions may be necessary.
• Hardscape Installation Test Book
• Softscape Installation Test Book
• Ornamental Maintenance Test Book
• Turf Maintenance Test Book
• Retail Garden Centre Test Book
• Interior Landscaping: contact BCLNA at (604) 574-7772 to inquire about this exam.

More Info on Certified Horticultural Technician here...

Download the CHT application package ...

Top


BC Business Support Certification

By sponsoring Certification in BC, local businesses communicate their high quality and workmanship standards, and support the need to continually educate, train and develop the labour force to sustain the ornamental horticulture industry. Special thanks to the following sponsors:

Premier Sponsors :
Finning Canada

Facility Sponsor :
Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Silver Sponsor :
HortEducationBC

Equipment & Materials Sponsors :
Cedar Rim Nursery, Creative Embroidery, GardenWorks & Fraser Valley Equipment Ltd., Cary Martin's Lawn & Garden Equipment

Top


Become a Certification Sponsor

Contribute to the ornamental horticulture industry by becoming a sponsor today, and help support the program's ongoing needs. BCLNA will accept a total of three Premier Sponsors, three Gold Sponsors, three Silver Sponsors, and has several opportunities available to equipment and material sponsorship.

Download the complete Certification Sponsorship Package here...

Top