The Landscape Design Group, newly formed under the administration of Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association, has made the establishment of a high standard of excellence for the landscape design profession top priority. The group's introduction of a Certified Landscape Designer designation will provide design professionals with a valid way to communicate their status as such to their customers.
A Certified Landscape Designer (CLD) designation will provide you with a means of proving to your customers that you not only have the necessary education and industry experience, but also that you have written and passed an industry test proving a high degree of proficiency as a landscape designer. |
While the current popularity of gardening has been a boon to all segments of the industry, landscape designers find it increasingly difficult in today's market- place to position themselves as professionals with a high degree of competence and knowledge. A certification procedure to verify the skill of qualified individuals will elevate the value of the landscape design process and the professional stature of landscape designers.
Certified Landscape Designer designation is available only to those individuals who have achieved a minimum standard of education and industry experience, at which time they will be eligible to present a portfolio to a panel of industry judges and write an industry exam to test their knowledge in the areas of grading, horticulture, plant identification, construction details and design skill. |
- To qualify to write the CLD test, the candidate must first have seven years of combined academic and industry experience. For example:
- Graduate of a two to four year recognized post secondary horticultural program, plus an additional three to five years of practical experience, or:
- seven years of practical experience.
- Upon application approval, a candidate is required to submit a portfolio containing samples of work and at least three references. The portfolio will be judged by a three- to five-person jury, consisting of academic, design or design/build members of Landscape Ontario or the OALA and a representative of the Landscape Ontario Design (commodity) Group.
- The final step to certification is the successful completion of a written exam to test the candidate's knowledge of grading, drainage, layout, plant material identification, plant material use, professional practices, regulations, structural/ construction/paving details and quantity takeoffs. A passing grade of 70 per cent will be required.
The day you become a Certified Landscape Designer is the day you enjoy even greater pride, recognition and success in your chosen field. Make the decision to fly higher in your profession - today!
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