May 23, 2013
Look for a CLT on staff
Certified Landscape Technician (CLT)

The Landscape Industry Certified (Technician) exam proves an individuals competence in the landscape industry across North America. There are five areas of which individuals can become a Landscape Industry Certified (Technician), as seen above.

Individuals who have successfully completed any or all designations, is a person who is competent, reliable, experienced, knowledgeable and skilled at what they do.

All Landscape Industry Certified Technicians have individually undergone a combination of written and hands on examinations that tests knowledge, technical skills and safety practices. A high level of excellence is required to pass each section of the exam, meaning that even the most experienced person must demonstrate 'expertise' of the topic areas.

  • A minimum of 2000 hours (1 year) experience is highly recommended before the examination process is begun.
  • Written exams are designed to measure an overall comprehension of the trade.
  • The written portion of the exam can be taken just prior to the hands-on test or any time during the year and is generally 2.5 hours long.
  • The hands on tests measure an individual's level of competence through a series of stations.
  • At these stations, the individual is required to successfully perform specific tasks within a specified period of time in the presence of a qualified industry judge.
  • Depending on the industry sector, a total of up to 11 stations must be completed successfully. Stations comprise of skills such as: chainsaw, leaf blower operation, pruning, tree planting, plant and pest identification, and sod and paver installation.
  • A minimum grade of 70 per cent is required on each of the written and hands on exam problems before certification status can be obtained.
So the next time you're planning a landscape project, insist that they are Landscape Industry Certified staff, because they are qualified and certified.

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