FNGLA Certified Landscape Contractor (FCLC)

What is it?

FNGLA’s Certified Landscape Contractor (FCLC) program is the only standard for measuring the knowledge of practicing landscape contractors in Florida. The program was designed to promote professionalism and raise the standards of Florida’s landscape industry. FCLC also provides a way for government agencies, landscape architects, companies and individuals to choose qualified professionals in a state that does not require licensing of landscape contractors. In fact, FCLC has been included in the specifications of many state and local agencies, requiring that anyone bidding on particular jobs hold FNGLA’s FCLC designation.

FNGLA’s FCLC program is designed for owners, managers and supervisors of landscape contracting, landscape management or design build firms, as well as government agencies, parks departments and developers. Those qualified to sit for the FCLC exam must have a minimum of three years’ experience in the horticulture/landscape industry with one of those years in Florida.

FNGLA’s landscape certifications are designed to measure an individual’s skills and knowledge and therefore draw from the professional’s experience.  Training classes are available to assist the test applicant in preparing for the exam.

Click Here  for Schedule of training and other horticulture education opportunities.

The FNGLA Landscape Certification Manual is a set of three books:

1. The FCHP Manual provides information on such things as plant identification, plant use, water conservation, pest identification, turf care and fertilization.  This manual applies to all of FNGLA’s certification exams.
   
2. The Landscape Manual covers the landscape process from landscape laws to landscape installation and job completion.  In addition to the FCHP manual above, this manual applies to all of FNGLA’s landscape certification exams.
   
3. The “Landscape Estimating and Contract Administration” textbook provides an in-depth look at contracts, bidding, accounting and liens.  In addition to the two manuals listed above, this manual applies to FNGLA’s Landscape Contractor (FCLC) and Designer (FCLD) exams.

Order the FNGLA Landscape Certification Manual Set.

Click to:
Order Manual Online

Or download and print:
Order Form (PDF)

FCLC testing is offered three to four times a year, once each in North Florida, Central Florida, Southwest Florida and Southeast Florida.

Candidates must pass a comprehensive 11-part field exam and 4-part written exam, in addition to the FCHP Core Exam, to demonstrate knowledge in horticultural skills and landscape practices.

Current test sites are:

• Washington Holmes Technical Center in Chipley  (North FL)
  December 7-8, 2007


• Pinellas Technical Education Center in St. Petersburg (SW FL)
  June 2008


• Edgewood Children’s Ranch in Orlando (Central FL)
  November 9-10, 2007


• Miami Dade College in Kendall (South FL)
  May 2008

Register On-line at
http://www.fngla.org/onlinetest/fngla/fnglaregistration.aspx

Or By mail through the FNGLA office.
Download the FCLC/FCLD Exam Application Form
PDF

Exam Sections
FNGLA’s FCLC exam is a 2-day exam encompassing 11 field exam sections on one day and the FCHP & FCLC written exams on the other. Applicants should complete the FCHP exam first before beginning the FCLC exam process. All written exams can be completed on line. Each FCHP written exam section must be passed with a minimum of 70% while each FCLC written exam and each FCLC field exam section must be passed with a minimum 75% in order to earn the FCLC certification.

Field Exams include:

Written Exams include:

• FCHP Core Written Exam
• Construction Documents
• Landscape Laws
• Estimating
• Accounting
  

Bring to Exam

For written exams, be sure to bring pencil, pen, eraser, silent calculator, engineer and architect scale rulers, highlighters or colored pencils, photo ID and your FCHP Manual.

Notes are not allowed during the written exams except the Open Book exam.

For field exams, be sure to bring Field Exam Problems with your notes, calculator, 16’ tape measure, engineer and architect scale rulers, pencil, pen, safety goggles, work gloves, work shoes (tennis shoes or sandals are NOT permitted) and rain gear. You are permitted to bring any additional equipment you like (transit and rod, banding machine, front-end loader, etc.) with advance notification to FNGLA.

Notes are allowed on all field stations except Plant Identification and Job Evaluation.

Exam Fees

2007 exam fees are $20 per section for FNGLA members and $35 per section for non-members. Therefore, the 19-part FCLC exam would be $380 for FNGLA members and $665 for non-members. Those who hold a valid FCHP certification are exempted from the 4-part FCHP horticultural written exam. Any exam section that is not completed successfully may be retaken, once the applicant applies for a retest and pays a retest fee. The cost per section for a retest is the same as for the first attempt.

Exam fees cover both written and field exams, including all plant material, supplies and equipment required. Lunch, snacks and refreshments are also provided.

You must provide your own safety equipment, calculators, rulers and writing utensils.

Manuals and training sessions require an additional fee.

For complete information on FNGLA’s certification exam fees, see
Exam Structures & Fees

FNGLA’s FCLC certification is valid for a three-year period. During that time, FCLCs are required to earn 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in order to renew. If you hold more than one certification, these CEUs will apply to all certifications you hold.
In the absence of the required number of CEUs, the certified professional will be required to retake the exam. Renewal is $50 for FNGLA members and $75 for non-members for the three-year certification period.

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