About FNGLA

Certification Preparation

Horticulture Schools, Certification Training and Continuing Education

Members of Florida's nursery and landscape industry are fortunate to have many facilities around the state that offer horticultural training, including universities, community colleges, technical education centers, UF Extension Offices, botanical gardens and on-line course providers.

Below is information on the various educational opportunities, including schools for traditional horticulture training, certification preparation and continuing education.

Horticulture Schools

Florida's educational system offers courses leading to landscape and nursery operations certificates and college degrees in horticulture production, landscape design, turf management, and other industry-related topics. There are also many classes geared toward the working professional conveniently offered in the evenings and on weekends.

List of educational facilities that offer horticulture training

Certification Training

Training to assist in preparation for FNGLA's certification exams is offered in various locations around the state. Please contact them directly for registration information, prices and class schedules.

Online
Online FCHP certification preparation course. Certification prep classes are ongoing.
Contact: Gale Allbritton of Magnolia Grex, or call (850) 933-9545

Ft. Pierce/St. Lucie
FCHP Classes offered January and August of each year. Landscape Design course offered each January.
Contact: Indian River State College, Ann McMullian, or call (772) 336-6211

Jacksonville
Florida Community College
Contact: Michael Collins, or call (904) 633-8290

Milton
Pensacola Junior College, Landscape Design and Installation.
Contact: Amy Compton, or call (850) 484-4433

Naples
FCHP preparatory class begins Fall and Spring each year.
Contact: Weeds & Seeds, Bob Cook, (239) 734-0212

Ocala
Central Florida Community College. FCHP preparatory classes.
Contact: Bob DuMond or Floyd McHenry, (352) 237-2111 ext. 351

Orlando
FCHP preparatory class each January and September.
Contact: AmeriScapes Landscape Management, Ken Howell, (407) 365-8339

Palm Beach Gardens
FCHP Class offered. Professional Landscape Installation & Maintenance class (FCLT Prep) begins each August.
Contact: George Rogers, Palm Beach State College, (561) 207-5052

Plant City:

Contact: Matthew Freedman, Institute of Florida Studies, or call (813) 757-2186

St. Petersburg
Course offerings for all FNGLA certifications at PTEC - St. Petersburg
Contact: Katy Roberts and Bonnie Desmond, (727) 893-2500, ext. 1101

Continuing Education

FNGLA's Certified Professionals are required to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in order to renew their certifications every three years. Continuing education is designed to assure that FNGLA's certified professionals keep up-to-date on the latest in industry trends, horticultural information and environmentally-sound landscape practices. FNGLA's CEU structure is designed so the certified professional must attend a minimum of three separate events in order to earn the required number of CEUs. The options for obtaining CEUs are vast.

• University of Florida Extension Services offer programming for the professional. Find your local extension office
  
  
• Botanical gardens offer great programming for the homeowner and professional alike. Find the nearest garden
  
  
• Check out FNGLA's calendar of events
  
  
• Check out the University of Florida's calendar of industry events

Remember, the rule of thumb on CEUs is 1 CEU per hour of instruction, up to 4 per day.

For more information about Continuing Education, see the About my FNGLA Certification page.