FNGLA Certified Landscape Technician (FCLT)

What is it?

FNGLA’s Certified Landscape Technician (FCLT) program is designed to measure the skills of practicing landscape technicians in contracting and maintenance firms. This program was recently reworked to serve as a means to train employees, recognize their achievement and raise the standards of working professionals within Florida’s landscape industry.

FCLT is offered as a stand-alone certification and marketed to the landscape industry as an employee training, recognition and advancement program. This hands-on, multi-language approach to certification is designed for the true technician. There is no written exam associated with the certification, and therefore provides the opportunity for certification that has previously been out of reach for many, especially non-English speaking employees.

FCLT certification is valid for a three-year period. During that time, an FCLT is required to earn 15 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in order to renew.

FCLT is designed for employees of landscape contracting and maintenance firms, as well as state, county & municipal governments, parks & recreation departments and land & home developers.

Those qualified to sit for the FCLT exam must have a minimum of 1 year experience in Florida's horticulture/landscape industry.

Training is designed to be offered in-house with a review conducted by the FNGLA member company hosting the exam. Employers conducting in-house training for their staff are encouraged to utilize the FNGLA Landscape Certification Manual that covers the landscape process from legal considerations to landscape installation to job completion. In addition, those who plan to take the FCLT exam are provided with a study guide that gives the specific requirements of each field exam.

The FNGLA Landscape Certification Manual is a useful study guide for the FCLT exam. It provides information on the specifications and procedures used in completing the field exams for the FCLT exam.

Order the FNGLA Landscape Certification Manual Set.

Click to:
Order Manual Online

Or download and print:
Order Form (PDF)

FCLT testing is offered at various test sites throughout Florida. The current site is Hobe Sound, Florida.

Candidates must pass a comprehensive 12-part field exam to earn the FCLT designation.

Register by mail through the FNGLA office.
Download the FCLT Exam Application Form
PDF

Exam Sections
FNGLA’s FCLT exam is a one day exam encompassing 12 field exam sections. FCLT field exam section must be passed with a minimum 70% in order to earn the FCLT certification.

Field Exams include:

• Plant ID
• Plan Layout
• Tree Planting
• Tree Staking & Guying
• Palm Banding & Propping
• Grading & Drainage
• Instrument
• Irrigation Operation & Repair
• Pruning
• Job Evaluation
• Equipment Operation
• Retaining Wall Construction

Bring to Exam

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.

Exam Fees
2007 exam fees are $80 for FNGLA members and $140 for non-members. 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 all field exams, including 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 FCLT certification is valid for a three-year period. During that time, FCLTs are required to earn 15 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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