Landscape industry certified technician - Exterior Program (formerly CLT)

Certification is an international testing program consisting of both written and hands-on field exams. It is administered by 26 states and provinces, which seeks to recognize proficiency in the landscape workforce, upgrade the status of the landscape professional, and provide the public with a means of identifying qualified landscape professionals. Having certified staff increases your company's professionalism, allows you to market to a broader customer base, and helps your employees to improve their technical skills and become more versatile.

Landscape Industry Certified Technician Testing Requirements

ALCC has joined forces with the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) to offer five specialty areas: Softscape Installation, Hardscape Installation, Turf Maintenance, Ornamental Maintenance and Irrigation. To become a Landscape Industry Certified Technician, an applicant must pass timed hands-on skill demonstrations performed at the test site as well as written exams. ALCC members receive substantial discounts when signing up for annual tests, and also save on basic training courses and manuals to help them prepare for tests.

Successful completion of the Hardscape and/or Softscape Installation test demonstrates that an individual has the skills to take a landscape blueprint and implement the design in the field. Passing the Maintenance (Turf Maintenance and/or Ornamental Maintenance) test shows that a person has the skills to maintain a landscape project in a professional manner. Passing the Irrigation test demonstrates that a person has the skills to install and maintain an irrigation system and understands the fundamentals of water management.

Register for the Landscape Industry Certified Technician Test. Dates in 2010 are:

May 22, Aurora hands-on test. Written portion of this test will be held on May 5.

August 28, Aurora hands-on test. Written portion of this test will be held on August 11.

Test judges:  Complete this form to volunteer for an upcoming test.

Technical Training Seminars

Held in the fall and spring, these technical training courses are basic “how to” sessions for any field employee or Landscape Industry Certifed Technician candidate. See the calendar for the upcoming training sessions in Aurora or download the registration form now! Please refer to the calendar to see if any of the seminars have been cancelled or re-scheduled.

In addition to the regular training seminars our Maintenance Module Sponsors, Beaver Valley and MAC Distributing are offering a chance for candidates testing Turf Maintenance to visit one of three locations to look at anticipated makes and models of equipment for test day, ask questions about equipment operation and view the Operator's Manual. Don't get caught off guard on test day, mark your calendars now!

Landscape Training Manual

The Landscape Industry Certified Technician Training Manuals are essential study guides for the tests. Written in clear and concise language, they also make excellent employee training manuals. Each of the three newly updated manuals - covering installation, maintenance, and irrigation - are available in English and Spanish. An order form for these manuals is available here or for purchase in the online bookstore.

For more information on the Landscape Industry Certified Technician Program, contact our Certification Test Administrator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Phone 303 757-5611 x 304