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.