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Landscape
service providers operating in Oregon are required
to possess several types of licenses.
Landscape Contractors License: Required for any individual or company engaging in landscape installation or irrigation work valued at $500.00 or more per job site. Landscape Contractors License Plus Backflow: Required for any individual or company installing backflow prevention devices.
WASHINGTON CONTRACTOR LICENSING PH. 800.647.0982 Commercial Pesticide Operators License: Required of businesses which apply pesticides (i.e.: herbicides, fungicides, insecticides) on the property of others. Commercial Pesticide Applicators License: Required of individuals who apply pesticides on the property of others.
Certification in the landscape industry is offered through ALCA (The Associated Landscape Contractors of America). Individuals who have voluntarily tested for certification have demonstrated a high level of competence and dedication. Landscape Certification: What? Why? How? (In Brief)
The Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) administers two types of competency tests for landscape industry professionals. The C.L.P. test (described below) is designed for managers and executives. The C.L.T. Test was established to create a benchmark of skills development of field practitioners, usually crew leaders and technicians. This demanding, hands-on skills test (pass rates hover around 20%!) began with the California Landscape Contractors Association in the 1980's. California today has by far the largest number of C.L.T.'s in the U.S. Oregon was the first state to purchase the test from California in 1990 (Washington followed in 1991), prior to its further development and standardization nationally by ALCA beginning in 1995. Today 24 states and 8 Canadian provinces are conducting this test. Briefly, this test is divided into three major categories; landscape installation, maintenance, and irrigation. There are eleven test elements common to all (ex.: Plant I.D. & Sensitivity, Controller Programming & Sprinkler Head Adjustment...). Each category then has specific elements. For example, maintenance tests include elements such as Written Comprehension, Pesticides, Fertilizer, Pruning, Equipment, etc. There are 23 separate test segments for a maintenance applicant. You expect certification when you need a mechanic, or a plumber, or an electrician, or an arborist for tree work. Increasingly, property managers are demanding certified landscapers, and for good reason!
This is the landscape industry equivalent to professional certification in other fields, such as association or property manager accreditation. A landscape professional with a C.L.P. designation has passed a five-part exam administered by ALCA. The purpose of this test, as with other professional exams, is to raise the standards of the profession. This exam covers the following subject matter:
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