CLT Testing To Be Offered in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association (PLNA) announced that Pennsylvania’s first Certified Landscape Technician (CLT) certification testing will be offered Aug. 15-16 at the Penn State-Berks Campus in Reading, Pa. A hands-on review session preceding the testing will be held Aug. 9.

“CLT testing is currently only available in 26 U.S. states and Canadian provinces,” notes Margaret O’Neal, director of education and certification for PLNA. “The reason it hasn’t disseminated any farther than that – because I think a lot of states would love to have it – is that it’s a really big commitment both financially and volunteer-wise. It’s not an easy test to put on.”

PLNA has raised over $17,000 in monetary sponsorships for the event, as well as several thousand dollars in equipment sponsorships from manufacturers who will provide, among other things, turf and tools for the test’s hands-on portion.

Though the certification testing costs $250 for PLNA members and $350 for non-members, in celebration of the CLT’s first offering in the state, candidates who take the August test will receive a one-time opportunity to retake any problems they don’t pass free of charge. This is a significant savings, as retakes of up to 6 problems can cost up to $150. O’Neal mentions that attending the $30 review session on Aug. 9 at the Berks Campus also can help candidates learn effective test-taking techniques and decrease the cost or need for retakes.

A free lunch invitation also is open to those interested only in observing the CLT test as it’s happening on Aug. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a one-time only advantage for future applicants.

“We’ve been really excited by the response,” O’Neal comments. “Landscape professionals are looking for a way to distinguish themselves and certification is a great way to do that. It can really make a company stand out and look professional. Also, a lot of employers look to hire certified technicians, so certification benefits the employer and the employee as well.”

The deadline for registration is Aug. 1, and O’Neal notes that there is limited space available for the hands-on portion of the test. Registration forms are available from PNLA, which will be the state’s CLT administrator. To have a copy of the registration form faxed to you, contact Sharon Reagan, Education & Certification Assistant, at 800/898-3411. Applicants also may download a form from the PLNA Web site by clicking on “Certifications – CLT.”

The author is Assistant Editor of Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at lspiers@lawnandlandscape.com.