The landscape industry has grown over the past two decades. More and more people are engaging the services of landscapers to maintain and design/build there landscapes. Also as urban sprawl continues it is mainly the landscaper designing our outdoor environments. As a seventeen year veteran of the landscape trade I must say our industry could be doing this much better. Some landscapers have horticulture degrees while some just buy a truck and dive in head first. What standard and measures has our industry set? How is the average homeowner to have confidence that the landscaper they engage for services is truly a qualified professional? It can become confusing to say the least.

The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) saw this problem and set out to do something about it. They looked to the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) for help. ALCA had developed the Certified Landscape Technician Exam (CLT). NJLCA purchased the rights to administer the exam in NJ. The NJLCA worked with Rutgers University to use their Turf Research Farm for a test site and to provide facilities for pre test educational classes.

The test itself is quite grueling. It consists of a 2 hour written exam that includes first aid, plant sensitivity/use and plan reading. The second part of the exam is hands on and takes all day. Applicants are tested in many different modules that are timed and judged under strict criteria. You can get your CLT in maintenance and or installation. The test is always monitored by an ALCA representative to insure the test is administered properly. There are also Judges Technical Assistants to over see the testing. Some of the test modules for installation are grading and drainage, skid steer loader operation, paver installation, and instrument reading (using a transit/level). In maintenance some of the modules are in mower operations, aerator, pruning, and edger. All applicants must take sod installation, plant ID, chainsaw, and truck and trailer. Of course there are others but I think you can tell it is a very thorough test. By the end of the day most applicants are mentally and physically exhausted.

Most applicants will not pass the entire test on the first attempt. In fact after 6 years there are 25 CLT landscapers in the state of NJ. Many applicants travel from Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland to take the test. There are also about 70 applicants pending re testing. The good news is you only have to re take the modules you do not pass. Once you are a CLT you must maintain your CLT with continuing education recertification points. This encourages a CLT to stay current and up to date in the landscape trade. This is important as methods and products improve and change rapidly in today’s market.

It is not an easy task to become a CLT. I know I took the test five years ago and now I am the NJLCA chairperson for CLT. The homeowner can rest assure when they hire a CLT they are getting an individual or company that respects professionalism, their trade, and their client. They have strived to educate and improve themselves so they can use their skills to properly maintain and or design/build your landscape. Our industry may have its “growth” problems and CLT is our way of self regulating the landscape trade. If the public demand for CLT increases more and more landscapers will strive to become one. This can only be good for the landscape industry, the homeowner and our environment.

The homeowner should always carefully check landscaper’s credentials. Not only CLT but what education they have in the trade, what other certifications they have (there are a few others) and how much experience they have. A well qualified landscaper will show you a portfolio including credentials, experience, and job photos. I personally don’t hold much faith in references because nobody will ever give you a client they upset or preformed badly for. The right landscape company will probably cost more but in the long run you will save. A CLT is one way to insure a job well done.