MNLA Certified Professional Program

Objectives and Benefits
Requirements
Exam
Study Materials
Certification Manual Changes & Updates
Recertification
Consumer Directory Listing
Reciprocity Agreement
Contact

For more details about the MNLA Certification Program, the new manual, and the new test click here: Detailed information about the MNLA Certified Professional Program.

• The next exam will be offered on January 6, 2009. Click here to register!
• Want to take the exam prep course on November 12, 2008? Click here for more information.
• Click here to find out how to order the certification study manual.

ATTENTION CURRENT CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS: Click here to choose a specialization.

For a complete listing of Certified Professionals listed by company Click Here.

Objectives and Benefits
Since 1978, the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association has sponsored a Certified Professional (CP) program for individuals in the nursery and landscape industry.  This program has evolved into the MNLA Certified Professional.

The objective of the MNLA Certified Professional program is to uphold, improve, and promote standards of professionalism and excellence within the industry.  By focusing on individuals rather than companies, the program encourages self-improvement among industry professionals. 

The certification status benefits individuals by instilling pride and confidence, bringing greater value to the nursery and landscape industry, demonstrating commitment to the nursery and landscape industry, and enhancing employability within the industry.  MNLA member businesses that employ certified nursery and landscape professionals enhance their professional image, increase customer recognition and respect, provide a consumer marketing tool, and offer an additional tool for employee motivation, evaluation, and advancement.

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Requirements
Before taking the MNLA/U of M certification exam, individuals are required to accumulate either two years of study in an accredited post-secondary nursery and landscape programs that includes a structured internship, or a minimum of 2000 hours in nursery or landscape-related employment.  Signatures of an educational advisor or work supervisor are required on the exam registration form to verify completion of the prerequisite. 

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Exam
The MNLA/U of M certification exam is typically offered two times each year: in January at the Minnesota Green Expo, and again in late February or early March.

The MNLA Certification Program now requires each examinee to pass a Basic Horticultural Knowledge section of the examination. This section constitutes 50% of the examination. The new program also allows the examinee to select from one of three Specializations: Garden Center, Grower, or Landscape, which constitutes the second 50% of the examination. Examinees will designate their Specialization at the time of completion of the application to take the examination. All existing Certified Professionals will be grandfathered into a specialization of their choice.

Click here for more information about the exam format, sample mini test, bare root identification!

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Study Materials
The Manual consists of 51 Chapters, some with several parts to some chapters for a total of 89 parts. These 51 chapters are provided on a CD and present technical, applicable and instructional information on most Green Industry disciplines ranging from Design to Production to Hardscaping to Garden Centers to Marketing and to Safety. The Manual contains 901 pages in the 51 Chapters plus 350+ pages of additional enclosed publications, plus 113 pages of the American Standard for Nursery Stock which is to be downloaded from the provided Web Site. A total of 109 authors contributed to this Manual. In addition, 34 Publishers, Institutions, Association, Agencies and Companies provided information, references, figures and tables. The Manual contains 109 Figures, 134 Tables, 2441 References and 851 Web Sites. Many of the Tables are large tables of Pesticides Recommendations, First Aid Practices, and information on Trees, Shrubs, Annuals, Perennials, and Foliage Plants. It also includes 64 color plates of major nursery and landscape insects and their life cycles. It contains a 12-page Plant Disease Color Diagnostic Guide. It contains the ANLA Industry Guide to Marketing Container Plants; it contains the Quick Guide to the EPA Worker Protection Standard, and it contains a 159-page publication titled “Tips on Growing Bedding Plants. It also includes a Gopher State One Call Publication. The Glossary in this Manual provides definitions of over 700 Horticultural terms. The Units of Measure and Conversion Factors Chapter contains hundreds of Abbreviations, Equivalent Measures, Conversion Factors, Pant Spacing Data and Landscape Installation Data.

The previous MNLA Plant Identification CD which was sold separately, is now included in this Manual. This CD has been expanded to 381 plant images of 182 plants. Four colored MNLA Plant References are also included in the Manual.

This is a Professional Reference and Resource written by people doing the work and walking the talk. Use it to challenge yourself and your company.

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Changes & Updates to the MNLA Certification Manual
Updates the Certification Manual have been posted below. Please print copies to insert into your manual as needed.

• Chapter 4 - MNLA/UM Certification Program Overview
  • Answer Sheet - Basic Knowledge
  • Answer Sheet - Garden Center
  • Answer Sheet - Grower
  • Answer Sheet - Landscape
• Chapter 43.1 - Floriculture Production and Management: Part I (Background & Introduction)
• Chapter 43.2 - Floriculture Production and Management: Part II (Bedding Plants IV)

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Recertification
To encourage on-going professional improvement through education and service to the industry, MNLA has instituted a recertification requirement to keep certification status current.  All individuals must compile at least 18 points every three years to maintain their certification status.  Contact the MNLA for information regarding your recertification deadline at mnla@mnla.biz.

To recertify, document the date and event of each activity attended on a recertification card.  If you have lost or misplaced your recertification card, e-mail MNLA.  Record the points, and provide the name of a person who can verify your participation.  This individual may be the instructor, an MNLA representative at the activity, or another MNLA certified individual who can validate your attendance.  Return the card to the MNLA office, along with the $15 recertification fee.

Download a copy of the MNLA Recertification Card: Click here

Below are examples of educational events and professional services that qualify towards recertification (Note: All events and activities applicable to the nursery and landscape industry that improve professionalism count for recertification points.):

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Consumer Directory Listing
Consumers using the “Locate an Expert” function on the GardenMinnesota.com website can select companies that employ certified nursery and landscape professionals by looking for an asterisk(*) before company names. 

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Reciprocity
If you have obtained certification and then relocated to a different state, you can apply for certification without taking an additional exam.  Listed below are the states that offer certification reciprocity, and their contact information:

Contact
For information on the MNLA Certified Professional program, please contact: mnla@mnla.biz