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How to become a certified landscape designer

Becoming a certified landscape designer is the dream of many. However, so many people don’t know exactly where to begin with the certification process of becoming a landscape designer. First and foremost there are a few things that you need to accomplish before you can become a certified landscape designer. You will also have to have a certain number of months (or years) of experience under your belt, depending on your local government and the requirements of their landscape design certification. Not to mention the weeks of studies that you will need to complete prior. This is simply because you are able to complete this certification only so many times, before you aren’t allowed to try again for a period of time. This length of time between trying for the certification will vary depending on your local qualifications. For this reason, you should contact your local certification center. They will be able to tell you the requirements, and the what if’s about obtaining your certification.

Once you have made the decision to become a certified landscape designer, your whole landscape design career is going to change for the better. While your certification aren’t always required in most places, many of your clientele (especially federal and government related jobs) will require you to have your certification listed on your resume. Of which can help you to obtain a more lucrative position in your field. Thus helping you to grab a hold of the salary that you have been deserving.

But how do you get your certification? While it might seem to be somewhat confusing, and may even intimidate you. You will find that becoming a certified landscape designer isn’t quite as hard as you’d thought. Despite the availability of information, many websites and how to books can make it difficult to understand. Often times littered with legal mumbo jumbo, that only lawyers or government officials will understand. However, since it can be such a frustrating task to enter into. We have decided to provide you with a few easy to follow tips and tricks (for the average joe), that will help you to get on the right track to getting landscape certified!

Tip one: Make sure to keep your facts straight! It is important to start from square one. If you haven’t already gone through landscape design school do it now!

Keeping your facts straight before trying for your landscape design certification is important. While you wouldn’t be caught dead eating chicken before it’s cooked, why would you try for your certification pre-maturely? You will have had to of gotten your bachelors or masters degree in landscape design, as well as obtained a journeyman status apprenticeship (or job placement) prior to taking your certification. You might ask why this is important, but trust me: if you try for your certification without the experience. You will find yourself frustrated at the outcome.

However, being a fantastic and well trained landscape designer doesn’t always mean you will pass the test. The field of landscape design is ever changing, thus the certification courses for landscape designers are changing with them. Making it important to stay up to date with everything that may be available for you to learn. You should work toward goals that you have set for yourself in your field. Not sure what kind of goals to set? There are a several ideas to step foot in the right direction in becoming a certified landscape designer.

A few of the common goals set by landscape designers are:

1. Complete landscape design school with honors.
2. Obtain a journeyman position under a seasoned landscape designer.
3. Gain the trust of lucrative clientele.
4. Keep an eye on the new must have items and trends in landscape design.
5. Get certified!

Of course you aren’t limited to these top five goals. Instead, you should take them and grow upon them. Allowing yourself to set positive and productive goals to meeting your certification and salary goals.

Another way to insure that you are prepared to take your certification tests for landscape design, is to visit APLD.org. They will have any and all information on the subject of obtaining your certification. They may even allow you to obtain an information packet on what to expect from your certification, and the many things you will need to learn before you take your test.

Tip two: Experience, experience, experience! This is one of the most important steps to becoming a certified landscape designer. Without it you will fail.

I know it seems to be what everyone is saying to you, but there holds some truth to the fact that you need a little experience under your belt. Without the experience you will fail in your certification for landscape design. It is simple as that. However, you might find that you are chomping at the bit for your certification. I can assure you that it is important to have at least seven years of experience, before you try for your new-found goal. While yes, it is possible (not plausible) to get your certification without experience (depending on your local certification board), you will find yourself in over your head and possibly confused without it.

While education is a wonderful place to start in obtaining your certificate of landscape design. It isn’t the last stop. No, there is on the job experience that simply cannot be duplicated by schooling. That isn’t to say you shouldn’t get at minimum your bachelors degree. Simply because they will help to increase your chances in getting a well paying, and lucrative position to gain your experience with.

Despite the fact that many people who are reading this certification series will have already completed high school, along with a minimum of one year of college. You may even be a pre-graduate in high-school looking for his or her own career path. If this is the case, many high schools will offer programs in landscape design. Often times enabling you to get your degree in horticulture and landscape design. Also giving you a leg up in the experience you will need to complete your certification tests and courses.

Not all landscape designers will have formal education. It can be as simple as a class, or even the ability to apprentice under an experienced landscape designer. All of which can also be used to your benefit on your resume when applying for your certification.

Tip three: It’s important to put together a portfolio with a minimum of three professional (and completed) projects that you have been involved in. This will help to let them know that you are indeed serious, and dependable in the world of landscape design.

The portfolio that you will submit for review in the process of becoming a certified landscape designer should be clean. Clean meaning that all of the projects listed should be completed. Not only this, but you may very well ask for a letter of recommendation. A letter from those clients or the supervisor leading the landscape design project you worked on, can very well be the clear-cut reason that you obtain your landscape design certification. So it is important to keep all of these things in mind, prior to trying for your certification.

Your portfolio will be submitted along with your application (as well as the test) in which you will send in to the CLD (Certified landscape design). Of which they will be reviewed and approved by their company, ultimately gaining you your certification.

Now that you know what it takes to prepare for your landscape design certification, it’s now time to focus on the certification itself. The CLD (or certified landscape designer) program has been honed for the best of the best. It takes dedication, as well as knowledge to get your certification.

Once you reach the point of applying for your landscape design certification, you will find that there is a two-part process to be had. The first of these two steps is a written evaluation. Of which will soon be followed by your portfolio review. All of which must meet the minimum requirement of the CLD’s standards.

Despite the fact that getting one’s landscape design certification is a popular path in the field. You may find yourself wondering if it’s the right thing for you. However, you mustn’t become discouraged in your trek for your certification. The CNLA has created three specific certification programs for you to choose from. While it isn’t a necessity in your business, they do provide a little extra umph when you are trying to get more lucrative clientele.

Tip four: Know what you are getting into! It is important to know the who’s, what’s, when’s, and where’s of your landscape design certification. While we will provide you with knowledge about certain points of how to become a certified landscape designer. You will soon see that there is always something more to learn, before becoming certified!

In preparation for your landscape design certification, you should ave a few materials at hand and ready to go. One of which is your education, as well as your portfolio. Not to mention the fact that you will need to meet the minimum requirements for experience. However you may opt to gather more information on the CLD website. Thus making it easier than ever to prepare properly for your certification. To apply for your certification you will have to meet the following qualifications. While this is the most up-to-date information, it does change from time to time. For this reason you should verify the information prior to applying for your certification.

One of the following is required for your application to be reviewed and accepted:

1. You will need a minimum of four thousand work hours in the landscaping industry to apply for your certification.
2. Two thousand hours of work within the landscape design industry, along with the successful completion of a two to four year curriculum (IE: Bachelors or maters degree) in landscape design.
3. One thousand hours of work in the field, along with a bachelors or masters degree. You will also need a completed (and approved) internship with a company or seasoned landscape designer.

One or more of the above will help to qualify you for the exam given from state to state. While your local program may require less, it is an over-all consensus on the required experience and schooling required to apply.

Now that you know the requirements, you may now wonder if it is even worth it. Yes! It is! It has been proven that having your certification can increase your business by at least twenty percent. Not only does your certification speak volumes of your experience, but your dedication to the field as well. Simply because there aren’t many un-dedicated slackers with their landscape design certifications.

Alas, you now know how to become a certified landscape designer. Through hard work, schooling, and experience. You will find yourself certified in a matter of a few weeks or months. Enabling you to sport your new certified title on your resume. Good luck!