Know Your Pro

“Know Your Pro”

Landscape Titles and What They Mean

Arizona Certified Landscape Professional

A landscaper who has received certification by the Arizona Landscape Contractors Association.  Requires completion of a 12 month training in 16 different content areas and passing a written and practical exam.

Contact:  ALCA, 6619 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85250, 480 296-2064, http://www.azlca.com

Arizona Certified Nursery Professional

Requires one year of experience working in the nursery industry and passing an exam on horticulture, landscape design, plant identification, etc.

Contact:  Arizona Nursery Association, 1430 W. Broadway, A-125, Tempe, AZ  85282-1127, 480-966-1610, http://www.azna.org

Certified Arborist

An arborist has received certification by the International Society of Arboriculture.  Exam on tree identification and care.  Thirty hours of continuing education required every three years.

Contact:  International Society of Arboriculture, Post Office Box 3129, Champaign, IL, 61826-3129

(217) 355-9411, http://www.isa-arbor.com

Certified Desert Landscaper

Requires completion of the Desert Landscaper Certification program administered by the Desert Botanical Garden consisting of 30 workshops over a 10-month period.  This program includes basic training, hands-on experience, and a final comprehensive landscaping project.

Contact:  Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008, 480-941-1225, http://www.dbg.org

Certified Irrigation Specialist

Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA), Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC), Certified Irrigation Designer (CID), or Certified Irrigation Manager (CIM).  The four certifications listed above represent different levels of certification.  A Landscape Irrigation Auditor is the beginning level, and an Irrigation Manager is the advanced level.

Contact:  The Irrigation Association, 8260 Willow Oaks Corp. Dr., Suite 120, Fairfax, VA  22031, 703-573-3551, http://www.irrigation.org

Certified Tree Worker

A Tree Worker trained to prune and climb properly and certified by the International Society of Arboriculture.  Requires an oral test on tree care and a practical exam covering climbing skills.  Requires 18 months of experience.  Continuing education is required.

Contact:  International Society of Arboriculture, Post Office Box 3129, Champaign, IL, 61826-3129, (217) 355-9411, http://www.isa-arbor.com

Consulting Arborist

These professionals typically assist law firms, insurance companies, utilities, land developers, municipalities, landscape planners and architects, homeowners, individuals and organizations coping with disaster mitigation, and others requiring authoritative knowledge and perspective on trees.  American Society of Consulting Arborists, http://www.asca-consultants.org/

Horticulturist

A horticulturist has had formal training, such as a two-year, four-year or advanced degree in horticulture.

Landscape Architect

Has a BS in Landscape Architecture and holds a state license with the Arizona Board of Technical Registration, 1110 W. Washington St., Suite 240, Phoenix, Arizona, 85007, (602) 364-4930.  Requires apprenticeship time under a licensed Landscape Architect and passing a national exam. http://www.btr.state.az.us

Landscape Contractor

A landscape installation and maintenance contractor.  Certification by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, 800 W. Washington, Sixth Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85007, (602) 542-1525 or (888) 271-9286, http://www.rc.state.az.us  Testing and certification required.  Insurance required.

Landscape Designer

Landscape designers offer various landscape design services.  Although a degree, license or certification is not required, those who use this title often possess knowledge, education, training, and/or experience in landscape design.  A Landscape Designer is often a Landscape Architect in training.

Landscaper

A landscaper offers a variety of landscape services, typically in the areas of installation and maintenance.  Licensing and certification are not required.

Master Gardener

A volunteer with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension who has completed 16 weeks of horticultural training in soils, botany, integrated pest management, plant pathology, desert-adapted plants, turf, citrus, etc., and 50 volunteer hours.

Contact:  UA Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341E. Broadway, Phoenix, AZ  85040, 602-470-8086, http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden

Pesticide Applicator Certification – Pest Control

A pesticide (herbicide, insecticide, fungicide) applicator who has been tested and certified by the Arizona Structural Pest Control Commission.  Arizona law requires that anyone who applies pesticides as a part of their job must be certified.  9535 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, AZ  85258-5514, 602-255-3664, http://www.sb.state.az.us  (Nursery workers are required to have certification with the Arizona Department of Agriculture).

Smartscape Certified

Smartscape is a training program for nursery and landscape professionals focusing on landscaping practices that are appropriate for the Sonoran Desert.  Participants must complete a series of eight, two-and-a-half hour workshops and pass an exam.

Contact:  AMWUA, 4041 N. Central Avenue, Suite 900, Phoenix, AZ  85012, 602-248-8482, http://www.amwua.org