Certified Horticultural Technician

No surprises!
EVALUATION TOPICS
SOFTSCAPE INSTALLATION
WRITTEN COMPONENT:

60 min.	Common Core
45 min.	Softscape plan reading
30 min.	Softscape horticultural principles
15 min.	Irrigation components

SOFTSCAPE INSTALLATION
PRACTICAL STATIONS:

35 min. Plant identification

35 min. Sod installation

15 min. Basic program controller

35 min. Lateral repair and head adjustment

35 min. Tree planting and staking

35 min. Plant layout

15 min. Rototiller operation

HARDSCAPE INSTALLATION
WRITTEN STATIONS:

60 min. Common core

45 min. Hardscape plan reading

45 min. Hardscape principles and calculations

HARDSCAPE INSTALLATION
PRACTICAL STATIONS:

15 min. Chainsaw

35 min. Grading and drainage

35 min. Instrument

80 min. Paver installation

35 min. Skid-steer operation

TURF MAINTENANCE
WRITTEN COMPONENT:

60 min. Common Core

30 min. Turfgrass horticultural principles
30 min. Turfgrass calculations
30 min. Irrigation components and principles

TURF MAINTENANCE
PRACTICAL STATIONS:

15 min. Basic program controller
35 min. Lateral repair and head adjustment
15 min. 21" mower

15 min. Intermediate walk-behind mower

15 min. Riding mower

15 min. Edger and trimmer

15 min. Power blower

15 min. Aerator

15 min. Turf fertilizer

ORNAMENTAL MAINTENANCE
WRITTEN COMPONENT:

60 min. Common Core

30 min. Ornamental maintenance horticultural principles
30 min. Ornamental maintenance calculations
30 min. Irrigation components and principles

ORNAMENTAL MAINTENANCE
PRACTICAL STATIONS:

35 min. Plant ID

15 min. Basic program controller
35 min. Lateral repair and head adjustment

35 min. Tree planting and staking

15 min. Chain saw

35 min. Pruning

15 min. Power blower

RETAIL WRITTEN COMPONENT:
(2.5 hours total)
Plant sensitivity
General comprehension
Plant identification: Matching section
Plant identification: use and maintenance
Pest identification and control
Plant grading, handling and shipping
Equipment and facility operation and safety
Display and customer service

RETAIL PRACTICAL STATIONS:

15 min. Cash handling

15 min. Phone etiquette

30 min. Customer etiquette

30 min. Display and merchandising

30 min. Nursery stock display

30 min. Plant identification

30 min. Plant identification

30 min. Pruning

30 min. Plant grading and handling

15 min. Forklift Operation

15 min. Pesticide application

15 min. Fertilizer application

15 min. Pest identification

INTERIOR WRITTEN COMPONENT:
Pesticides
Plant identification
Safety
Watering / subirrigation
Pruning
Fertilization
Insects & Diseases
Customer Relations

Set yourself apart with
CHT DESIGNATION
The Certified Horticultural Technician (CHT) designation provides an individual employed in the lawn and garden industry with a means of proving a minimum standard of expertise in tasks typically required within the horticultural industry. It's a national designation, with recognition across North America.

INDUSTRY SECTORS
Currently, CHT evaluation and designation is available for the following horticultural sectors:

Softscape installation

Hardscape installation

Ornamental maintenance

Turf maintenance

Retail garden centre

Interiorscape

Am I eligible?
HOW TO QUALIFY
The only recommendation to take part is 1,000 hours of landscape industry experience. Currently there is no pre-requisite to take part in the interiorscape evaluation.

How do I earn certification?
THE EVALUATION PROCESS
The certification of an individual's competency is accomplished through a series of written and practical evaluations. Written evaluations are designed to measure an overall comprehension of the trade. The practical evaluations measure an individual's level of competence through a series of timed, hands-on exercises.

The written portion of the evaluation is usually taken just prior to the practical evaluation and generally lasts up to one-half day. A pre-evaluating orientation process is also available in most provinces.

The practical portion of the evaluation is accomplished through a series of stations. The candidate is required to successfully perform a specific task within a specified period of time in the presence of a qualified industry judge. Depending on the industry sector, a total of up to 17 stations must be passed. A minimum grade of 70% is required at all stations before certification status can be obtained.

HOW TO PROCEED:

Complete and submit the application form with payment.

Order study manual.

You will receive a study guide, plant list and descriptions of the practical stations if applicable.

After you are certified, you can plan your renewal credits to continue your horticultural training and development.

Permanent records are maintained for certification and renewal.

THE NEXT STEP
You will be notified of your evaluation results within 30 days. Because of the wide diversity of tasks involved, some applicants may not be successful at all components on their first attempt. Re-evaluation is only necessary for the components not originally passed. Applicants are allowed to re-evaluate as many times as necessary in order to complete all components required to obtain designation.

Upon successful completion of the evaluation, you will receive a designation certificate (suitable for framing) and the opportunity to purchase CHT logo crests for your work wardrobe. In addition, you will have earned the right to use the CHT logo on your business cards and other professional materials.

HOW TO STAY CURRENT
A successful candidate requires 2 education points or 1 education point + 1 service point over a one-year period to maintain certification. Points are monitored by CNLA, and can be obtained by attending industry seminars, volunteering for approved industry events, internet work and judging during certification. Renewal is required annually, and is due by December 31 of each year. Download the Certification Renewal Form

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Evaluations are delivered through Landscape Ontario. Please download and complete a registration form for the appropriate test date below. For more information on the changes to CHT, download the Certification is changing 2008 explanation.

2009 TEST DATES
CHT Installation and Maintenance - Milton
Candidate orientation: July 3, 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Written evaluation: July 16, 1 - 3 p.m.
Practical evaluation: July 17, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Retest: October 8, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Click here to download a registration form

CHT Retail - Milton
Candidate orientation: August 5, 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Written evaluation: August 19, 1 - 3 p.m.
Practical evaluation: August 20, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Retest: October 14, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Click here to download a registration form

CHT Installation and Maintenance - Ottawa TENTATIVE DATES
Candidate training and orientation: July 18
Written evaluation: August 13
Practical evaluation: August 14
Click here to download a registration form

CHT Installation/Maintenance/Retail - Milton
Written evaluations: January 27, 1 - 3 p.m.
March 9, 1 - 3 p.m.

CHT Interior (Written exam)
April 15, 1 - 3 p.m.
July 16, 1 - 3 p.m.
December 9, 1 - 3 p.m.

Proudly sponsored by:
Stihl Limited
Husqvarna Forest & Garden Co.
CAT/Battlefield Equipment Rentals
John Deere Ltd.
Echo Power Equipment Canada
Clintar Groundskeeping Services