FNGLA Certified Landscape Designer (FCLD)
 What is it?
FNGLA’s Certified Landscape Designer (FCLD) program
offers a professional designation for practicing Landscape Designers and
provides consumers a way to choose qualified design professionals.
FNGLA’s FCLD program is designed for landscape design professionals
in landscape design firms as well as landscape designers in government
agencies.
Those qualified to sit for the FCLD exam must have a minimum of two years’ professional
landscape design experience.
The applicant must also submit a completed landscape plan with photos and
letters of reference with their application in order to sit for the exam.
Plan Submittal Guidelines PDF
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 following manuals are suggested for the FNGLA Certified Landscape Designer (FCLD) exam:
- The FCHP Manual provides information on such things as plant identification, plant use, water conservation, pest identification, turf care and fertilization. This is utilized when taking the FCHP written exams.
- The “Landscape Estimating and Contract Administration” textbook provides an in-depth look at contracts, bidding, accounting and liens. This is utilized when taking the FCLC written exams, the final portion of the FCLC examination process.
- The “Residential Landscape Architecture” textbook 5th Edition provides guidance on design principle, design application and sustainable landscape design. This is utilized when taking the FCLD written exams.
Order FNGLA’s Certification Manuals here.
Click to:
 Order Manual Online
Or download and print:
 Order Form (PDF)
The FCLD exam is a three-part process. The first step is the FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professional (FCHP) written exam. Please see the FCHP page for more information on this exam. The FCLD written exam can be taken at the FNGLA office upon successful completion of the FCHP written exam. The final element is a plan submittal that will be reviewed by the FNGLA Certified Landscape Design Judging Committee.
Register By mail through the FNGLA office.
Download the FCLC/FCLD Exam Application Form
PDF
Exam Sections
FNGLA Certified Landscape Designer (FCLD) is the highest level of certification available to Florida’s landscape design professionals. In order to sit for the written exam to complete the FCLD certification, applicants must have first successfully earned the FCHP designation.
Exams will cover principles of Plant Identification, Selection, Placement, and Protection, Sustainable Practices, Design, Business Management, Project Management and Codes & Laws.
Once both the FCHP written exams and the FCLD written exams have been completed, the applicant will submit a plan, either CAD or hand-rendered, to be reviewed.
Exam Fees
2008-09 exam fee for the FCLD written exam and plan submittal is $200 for FNGLA members and $300 for non-members. This fee does not cover the FCHP written exam, which is a pre-requisite for the FCLD exam. The exam fee is good for one exam attempt only. 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 $25 for FNGLA members and $40 for non-members.
Manuals and training sessions require an additional fee.
For complete information on FNGLA’s certification exam fees, see
 Exam Structures & Fees
FNGLA’s FCLD certification is valid for a three-year period. During
that time, FCLDs 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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