Certification ~ Certification Outline

A BRIEF OVERVIEW...

THE APLD CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Certification : APLD^® certification program provides professional recognition to landscape designers, based on established standards of excellence. This process encourages self-assessment by offering guidelines for achievement. Certification is available for Associate APLD^® members in good standing, who have been practicing landscape design for a minimum of four years.

Our certification process is to evaluate the candidates submitted work. It is not an educational curriculum. The submission consists of three installed projects and requires drawings, plant list, design intent statement and photographs.

To encourage our certified members to continue their education, we require recertification every three years, with 30 contact hours of continuing education credit (CEU).

The certification committee has developed a review process for landscape designers to become certified. Ours is the only national (international) certification program for landscape designers. Currently, 20% of our members are certified. The evaluation process includes review of submitted plans and other data as well as keeping track of and assigning CEU's (continuing education units) which are required for maintaining certification. Committee members are divided regionally. All submissions are kept confidential.

The APLD^® Certification Review Panel convenes four times each year to review applications for Certified Professional Membership. The current review schedule is January, March, August and November. Applications are due by the first of the month.

Helpful Documents:

- Eligibility and Requirements for Certification and Application - NEW
- Certification Binder form

INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

For current members to find out more about certification, sign in the Members Area.