[lizzy berckes]

i took my test yesterday to become a licensed landscape contractor in the great state of Louisiana. I passed.WHEW!!! are ther any other members out there in zone 9a or south Louisiana

[Stonehenge]

I'm not from southern Louisiana, but thought I'd take a minute to congratulate you - CONGRATS!

I didn't know LA had a landscape contractor test. That might be just the thing other states need to help improve the standards of the industry.

What kinds of things were you required to know to pass the test?

[lizzy berckes]

In my opinion thats more of Louisianas crookedness. They charge you $50.00 just to take the test. Then (when you pass ) another $75.00 for the license. Everything in the "green industry" has a test and license. They sell you a book to study from. It costs $60.00;and lets not forget the occupational license. I think thats $20.00. So before i can even solicit my first potential customer I've forked out $200.00...........the test is on: plant classification, growth and development, growth requirements. soils, propogation,landscape installation and maintenance,pest control, and management, weed science, turf management, arboriculture, annauls and perrenials,contracting and the laws and requirements of Louisiana. After all that i have absolutely no idea how to figure up and sell a jobLOL....any advise???

[sdinenno]

There's a certified landscape contractor program in Georgia but it's voluntary. You don't have to take any test in order to operate as a landscaper. Here's what's involved in the test:

The test consists of four written components and nine outdoor hands-on components and requires two days to complete. Students who enroll to take the test are provided a 200+ page study manual, instructions on how to study and prepare for the exam, and access to a WEB Study Site developed by the University of Georgia.

The four written components of the test include:

A multiple-choice test based on the study manual.

A plan reading skill test that requires participants to read and interpret a landscape plan, to answer questions pertaining to the plan, and to make calculations, such as square foot areas, plant quantities per area, etc.

A test on common insect, disease and environmental problems. Participants must identify 25 samples (photos or actual specimens).

A plant identification test that requires participants to identify fifty plant samples from a list of over 270 provided. Actual samples of trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, herbaceous perennials, annuals, weeds and turfgrasses will be placed on tables for ID.

The nine outdoor hands-on components include:

Plan Lay-out: The participant will be given a planting plan and will be required to arrange containerized plants within a given are according to the plan.

Tree Planting and Staking: The participant must plant a tree according to specifications provided and show how to install a staking system.

Grading and Drainage: The participant must read a topographical map and demonstrate how to contour the grade of a site in a 10 ft. x 10 ft. sand box.

Pruning: The participant will show where and how to make pruning cuts and how to prune selected trees and shrubs.

Sod Installation: The participant must demonstrate the correct technique for laying sod in a given area.

Job Evaluation - Installation: The participant will evaluate a recently installed landscape and identify five acceptable and five unacceptable conditions.

Job Evaluation - Maintenance: The participant will evaluate a section of landscape and list five acceptable and five unacceptable practices previously performed by a maintenance crew.

Pesticide Application: The participant will demonstrate how to mix and apply pesticides properly and will discuss appropriate clothing to wear during pesticide application. He/she must also be prepared to discuss handling and disposal techniques.

Equipment Operation: The participant will discuss routine maintenance practices and proper operation of several power equipment items (mowers, weedeaters, edgers, etc.).

The written and hands-on portion of the exam are scored separately. Certification is based on a cumulative point score. Each component must be passed with a 70 percent score. Participants who previously passed the Certified Plant Professional exam are exempt from the Plant ID portion of the test.

Written test: 100 points
Plant Take-Off and Plant Selection: 25 points
Pest and Problem ID: 25 points
Plant ID: 50 points
Hands-on Components: 10 points each

[Fine Edge]

I don't classify pest control, turf management , propagation &weed science into a landscaping certification. Just my opinion but it seems more and more people are classifying themselves as landscapers when all they are really doing is mowing yards and actually don't have any of the knowledge that is needed to properly maintain a lawn.
Even my in-laws will still ask me how many lawns I'm cutting ( been married 14 years ) and I have to tell them " I don't cut lawns." Then they say, "Well, I thought you were in the landscaping business"?
Nothing wrong with mowing, done it for a number of years, but I feel like there's a distinct difference between landscaping and lawn maintenance. To get certified as a landscape contractor, you shouldn't need to know all of those things I mentioned above.
But then maybe the people in charge of handing out the licenses are calling a landscaper to mow their yard!