Landscape Industry Certified Technician (CLT)

What is a Landscape Industry Certified Technician (formerly CLT)?

The Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association (PLNA) has licensed the Landscape Industry Certified Technician program from the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) and has elected to offer Common Core and five test modules: Softscape Installation; Hardscape Installation; Turf Maintenance; Ornamental Maintenance; and Irrigation. To become a Landscape Industry Certified Technician, an applicant must pass the Common Core test problems plus one of the Modules.

Successful completion of the Installation modules test demonstrates that an individual has the skills to take a landscape blueprint and implement the design in the field. Passing the Maintenance modules 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.

Click here for a Fact Sheet outlining the specific problems in each module.

Why should I become a Landscape Industry Certified Technician?
Having a Landscape Industry Certified Technician on staff or on site is becoming more and more a requirement for many commercial and municipal jobs. And, more and more, the buying public is looking for a way to distinguish one landscaping firm from another. Being a Landscape Industry Certified Technician assures your clients and customers of your dedication to professionalism, provides you with national recognition for your landscape skills, registers your company as an employer of Landscape Industry Certified Technicians, and creates opportunities for career advancement in the industry.

Who is eligible for testing?
Anyone is eligible to take the exam, but one year experience in the green industry is required before the designation can be awarded.

How do I prepare for the exam?
PLANET has published training/study manuals for each of the modules. All of these manuals are available to order through PLNA. Please click here for an order form.

In addition, upon receipt of an application to take the Landscape Industry Certified Technician exam, a test booklet for the selected module is provided to each candidate which provides more detailed information about each test problem. 

What is the cost of taking the exam and what do my registration fees cover?
Your registration covers one written test and one hands-on test. The cost is $250 for PLNA members/Full Time Students and $350 for non-members. The hands-on test is only offered twice a year (February and August). Any other testing ( retakes or testing in another module) requires another application. When you apply you will receive a Test Book. The cost of the Test Book is covered in your registration fee and explains the criteria for each of the test problems.

Landscape Industry Certified Technician Forms

Program Fact Sheet

Application

Retake Application  

Study Manual Order Form

For more information on the Lansdcape Industry Certified Technician program, contact PLNA, at (800) 898-3411 or e-mail Cathy Corrigan.