Certified Landscape Technician Q&A

What is the Certified Landscape Technician (CLT) Program?

• A national certification program, the only national hands-on certification designed specifically for the landscape industry.
• Developed by the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA).
• The program seeks to recognize proficiency in the landscape workforce, to upgrade the status of the landscape professional and provide the public with a means of identifying qualified landscape professionals.
• A day-long rigorous event intended on testing your skills. Once passed, the test validates your proficiency in the industry as one of the best.

How do you become a CLT?

• By passing a common core exam plus a test in a specialty area such as landscape installation or landscape maintenance.
• It tests your proficiency in a wide range of skills in the landscape industry.

Who may apply?

• Anyone may apply, there are no eligibility requirements
• It is recommended that you have significant work experience in the industry, as well as industry related education/training

What are the test procedures?

• The majority of the test is hands-on and performed in the field, but there are some written problems.
• You will be doing a series of timed, hands-on field problems. Most problems require you to install or maintain simple landscape projects.
• You will be judged and scored against national standards on work methods, adherence to best practices and safety ideals.
• You must pass all of the problems with a 70 percent rating to be certified.
• The test is a very ambitious project: A site bigger than a football field outfitted with every sort of landscape equipment and material, manned by qualified judges and occupied by installation and maintenance candidates all testing at the same time.

Is it difficult? What if I do not pass?

• It is a difficult test because it sets high standards.
• The credibility of any program with national standards rests on its ability to recognize highly-qualified professionals.
• When potential clients contact a CLT, they need to be assured they are getting the best.
• If you fail the test for the first time, do not give up, many people do not pass on one try.
• There will be a retake test date not long after the original test and you may retake only those problems you missed on the original test. No need to retake the entire test.

What are the test problems?

Common Core – Everyone must take this module. These are common problems all landscape professionals should know.

• First aid and safety – this is a written problem covering basic first aid procedures
• Plan reading – a written problem testing your ability to take measurements off a plan and estimate quantities of materials
• Plant sensitivity – written problems covering plant cultural requirements
• Sodding – cut out, grade area and lay sod
• Writing work orders and reports – write up a work order covering your sod station
• Sprinkler controller programming – set up a program for watering a lawn
• Irrigation parts identification.
• Head adjustment and broken line repair – adjust a lawn head and repair a cut lateral line
• Truck and trailer skills – hooking and unhooking trailers and backing in skills
• Tree planting, staking and guying.
• Chainsaw safety and operation

Installation Module – A specialty area for people in the landscape installation area of our profession.

• Plant layout – lay out plants in a designated area a per a submitted plan, done to scale
• Grading and drainage – reading and following a grade plan with contour lines
• Instrument – basic surveying
• Paver installation – install a 4’x 4’ paver patio
• Rotiller.
• Loader operation – operating a loader through an obstacle course.

Maintenance module – A specialty area for those in the maintenance end of the profession.

• Written general comprehension – general knowledge of landscape management.
• Pruning – proper cut using the correct tool.
• Mowers – 21-inch and 36-inch.
• Riding mowers.
• Aerator – proper operation and safety
•  Edgers and trimmers – proper use and safety.
• Pesticides – proper mixing as per the label and correct application techniques.
• Fertilizer – calibration of spreader and proper application.
• Power blower.

How do I prepare for the test?

• Companies can gear their training toward the test and incorporate test content into their system. This way you can be constantly training for the test.
• Remember, the test was not made to be easy, it will take plenty of preparation and practice.
• Study guides are available from the Michigan Green Industry Association for $50.00 for members and $65.00 for non-members.

Who are the test judges?

• Judges will be highly qualified, impartial, trustworthy industry professionals of high standards and ethics (extension agents, business owners, educators, etc.).
• There will be enough judges on site so each candidate gets an individual judge on each problem.
• Judging is not objective; the test is based on a point deduction system. There are standard methods you must adhere to. If you skip a step in the process a numerical point deduction will be recorded on a standardized judges’ sheet. More than 30 points deducted and you do not pass.
• Judges are not to coach or help the candidates, they are to instruct them how to do the problem and make them feel relaxed.
• As the program progresses and more people are certified, many of them will be judges.

What are the requirements to stay certified?

• ALCA takes care of all certification requirements once you have passed the test.
• You need to gather approximately 24 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) over a 3-year period. You will report your CEUs to ALCA and they will keep track.
• You can get CEU credits at most green industry seminars and training classes, as well as college courses and CLT committee work.
• The Michigan Green Industry Association will make sure there are plenty of classes available for you to get CEUs.

How will having my staff certified help my company?

• Certification indicates you are a professional company.
• Marketing advantages – let customers know you stand out from the rest, that you are committed to a higher standard of professionalism and workmanship than your competitors.
• Helps justify the cost of your services.
• Increased efficiency, productivity and quality, which equals more profits.
• Your employees are more aware of safety on the job, thus cutting down on accidents and lost time.
• It will open the door to more bidding opportunities. Property managers, landscape architecture firms and municipalities will look favorably upon hiring a company that has employees trained by national standards.
• An excellent way to get consistency in your training system.
• By gearing your training toward the test it will help build the fundamentals throughout your company.
• Increased loyalty from your staff. They see you are investing in their future with your company and that you have a direct interest in their success.
• Can use it as a condition for a promotion or raise.

As an individual, how does certification help me?

• It will increase your landscape skills.
• It validates the skills you already have.
• Increased respect and recognition.
• Gives you professional credibility.
• More opportunities for advancement with your existing employer.
• Enhances your marketability in the job market.

How does this help the green industry?

• It will enhance the professionalism of the industry.
• It can act as a catalyst to bring together trade associations, educators and students.
• It will enhance the landscape industry’s training system to a more professional level, just like other professions that have national standards in their training systems.
• Companies can charge more for their services as the public becomes more aware of the certification and professionalism of the green industry.

This article appears in its entirety in The Landsculptor, a publication of the Michigan Green Industry Association. The author is education director of the Michigan Green Industry Association, which can be accessed at 248/646-4992 or online at http://www.landscape.org. Click here to learn more about the CLT exam, including application information, test dates and more.