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MNLA
Certification
Certified
Plant Professionals
Click the link above to review a list of
MNLA-certified plant professionals.
Certification
Renewal
(pdf version)
Certification Renewal
(Word version)
Certification
Manual Order Form & Test Application
NEW
-
Drought Tolerant
Plant List
- Download this helpful plant selection resource
developed by the MNLA Education Committee. This list has been added to the
supplemental information for the certification manual as of May 1, 2007.
About the CPP Program
The Certified Plant Professional (CPP) was originally developed by the Idaho
Nursery and Montana Nursery & Landscape Associations (MNLA) to improve the
professional qualifications of persons employed in the horticultural industry.
Through this program, certified plant professionals are recognized by the gardening public as well as within the industry.
Individuals who become certified are designated as “Certified Plant Professionals” within the states of Idaho and Montana. Successful CPPs are presented with a certificate and engraved name badge to recognize their accomplishment. MNLA also provides press releases to assist CPPs and their employers in getting local recognition. Additionally, MNLA has some cash incentives available to members who promote their employees’ involvement in the program through advertising.
Certified professionals must be knowledgeable in a wide variety of horticultural subjects including plant identification, soils, fertilization, turfgrass management, proper planting techniques, landscape design and more. Knowledge of these subjects can be gained through professional experience and study of the MNLA Certification Manual.
Program Objectives
• Improve the professional qualifications of nursery industry employees in
Montana.
• Provide special recognition to individuals who have demonstrated a high
level of knowledge in principles and practices of the industry.
• Facilitate the education and training of new employees.
• Encourage and promote continuing education and training of all
nursery-related industry employees, including owners and managers.
• Provide the Certification Manual as an information source for the nursery
industry in Montana.
Eligibility
Applicants for Certification must have worked in the nursery industry for at
least one year. Anytime thereafter, an applicant may submit the appropriate
documentation and fees to take the exam at the next scheduled time. You do not
have to be an MNLA member or an employee of an MNLA member firm in order to
acquire certification by MNLA.
How To Become Certified
Eligible applicants need to submit a completed application, documentation of
nursery employment and the appropriate fees to the MNLA Executive Director. The
MNLA office must receive applications and fees by the deadline. MNLA will notify
each applicant of the time and location of the exam.
The certification tests are generally given twice a year, in January at the annual convention and in August or September at the MNLA annual tour. The exam consists of a plant identification test and a written test. The exam is based on the Certification Manual and on practical information gained from employment in the industry, correct genus, species, common name, and cultivar (if appropriate) for each plant. The ID portion of the exam is based upon plants covered in Choosing Trees and Shrubs for Montana Landscapes, by George Evans and Alan Epps, as well as lists of Montana perennials and woody plants. These publications and lists are included in the manual.
The second portion of the exam is a 200 question written exam of the principles and practices of virtually all aspects of the nursery industry. Passing grade is 75% for both parts of the exam.
Certification Manual
MNLA strongly recommends the Certification Manual as a study guide for all
individuals preparing for the written exam. The manual is a programmed learning
manual. There is a study guide at the end of each chapter to reinforce the main
points of the chapter.
The manual contains more than 20 chapters on subjects including soils, planting, plant care, insect, weed and disease management, fruits, turf, marketing and the Montana Nursery Law. Individuals having extensive practical or academic knowledge of the subject wrote each chapter. The manual is an excellent source of information as well as an aid for exam preparation.
Costs
Certification manuals may be purchased through the MNLA office for $100 by
members and $200 by non-members.
As with most of MNLA’s products and benefits, candidates who work for MNLA member firms (or who are themselves MNLA members) receive a discount on test application fees. There are two exam segments, a written exam and a plant identification segment, which may be taken at the same time or at different times. Member registration fees for the exam are $30 per exam segment; non-member registration fees are $90 per exam segment.
What to Bring to the Exam
Bring at least two sharpened pencils to take the exam. You are also welcome to
bring several sheets of scratch paper.
Exam Results
Exam results (scores) are typically mailed to each exam participant within two
weeks of the exam date. A passing score on either part of the exam is good for
five years. Individuals who pass only one portion of the exam, but who do not
become certified within five (5) years will be required to again pass all
portions of the exam before they are eligible to be certified.
Keeping Track of CPPs
If you have been certified through MNLA’s program, be sure to advise us if you
change addresses or employer, so that we can notify you of your certification
expiration date and/or of any changes to the certification program.
Transferability
Certification as a CPP by the MNLA does not currently transfer to certification
status through any other state Association certification program.
Renewal of Certification
In January of 2003, MNLA members passed a motion that requires all Certified
Plant Professionals (CPP) to renew their certification. The Education
Committee’s intention in initiating this requirement was to ensure that once an
individual obtains the “CPP” title, he/she continues relevant education in order
to maintain the expertise that qualified him/her as a CPP.
The education requirement for CPP renewal maintains the credibility and integrity of the certification program.
Education Requirement
Twenty-five (25) points are needed to renew your certification. These points may
be obtained by any one of the following means or by a combination of the
following:
1. Successfully pass the plant identification exam again (worth 25 points).
2. Attend MNLA convention seminars (seminars are worth 1 point per hour). Sign in sheets will be circulated.
3. Participate in relevant community outreach work such as school programs, garden clubs, extension service, senior centers, etc. Outreach is worth 1 point per hour of activity.
4. Mentor certification students by participating in company-sponsored classes or working one-on-one with candidates. Mentoring is worth 1 point per hour of mentoring.
“Old” CPPs (certified prior to January 1, 2003)
Deadline
You have five (5) years from 1/1/03 to renew your certification. This means that
renewal forms for all CPPs certified prior to January 1, 2003 are due no later
than January 1, 2008.
New CPPs (certified after January 1, 2003)
Deadline
CPPs certified after January 1, 2003 have five (5) years from their
certification date to renew their certification in accordance with the education
requirement stated at left.
Early Renewal
Both “old” and “new” CPPs may renew their certification any time prior to the
deadline if they have met the education requirement and submitted a renewal
form. Renewal will not be required again until five years after the deadline.
How to Renew
Renewal forms are available from the a link at the top of this page and are
available upon request from the MNLA office. To renew, simply complete the
renewal form and submit it to the MNLA office. Do not submit a renewal form
until you have completely met the 25 point requirement.
Documentation which supports the activities reported on the renewal form is appreciated, but is not required. CPPs are encouraged to honestly report the required renewal activities and the hours they were involved in those activities.