Landscaping, like any other job, might seem a bit daunting to get into- sometimes it seems like every trade needs a license. It’s easy to get lost in a storm of paperwork and fees to get licenses and certifications for most trades- but not landscaping!
The qualifications you need for a landscaping career are a high school diploma or a GED. While there are several certifications you can choose to pursue, they aren’t necessary, and you can easily get hired by a landscaping company right off the bat- or start your own!
Starting your own landscaping business may require a business license- make sure to check with your local licensing boards first. If you’d like to get these optional qualifications, it’s very easy to get started. Many colleges and universities even offer various courses in landscaping, and as always, a degree can get you farther than you’d think. If this sounds appealing to you, stick around- you might get a few ideas for your landscaping adventure.
Where You’ll Need a Landscaping License
You might not need a landscaping license specifically, but most states require a business license to operate a business at all, though you won’t have to worry about that if you plan on just being an employee. If you have greater aspirations, though, a business license can be pretty cheap- usually about $100.
While the vast majority of states do not require a license for general landscaping businesses, such as lawn mowing, hedge trimming, or gardening, a few select ones do. States like Alaska, North Carolina, Oregon, and Tennessee require general licenses, while states like California and Hawaii have different tiers of licenses; California requires different licenses depending on the size of the yards you’ll be treating, while Hawaii requires different licenses based on what kind of lawn care you’ll be providing.
In states that require a license, it comes with costs- because nothing can be easy, right? Typically, this includes a registration fee and a license fee, to be paid separately. When bundled together, these can range anywhere from $60 to $550. That’s a big difference! In case it hasn’t been ingrained enough- always check your local laws.
Even in states that don’t require general licenses, local laws may differ. This is the case in states like New York, which typically don’t need a license- though certain counties or cities might want one. As always, it’s important to check your local laws before doing anything!
Why You Don’t Need Much for a Landscaping Career
Typically, most landscaping companies will provide on-the-job training. This entails what you’d expect, more or less; how to use your tools, workplace safety, different protocols, and so on. Landscaping is a popular career, with many people spending their entire lives in the landscaping business- meaning that the training you receive on the job will likely be from an experienced professional!
If you went to high school, chances are you remember somebody- maybe a friend an acquaintance, or even some random person- who worked in landscaping outside of school hours. That should tell you how easy it can be to get in! While applying to a company run by strangers may require a high school diploma or GED, if you have the right connections, you can even get in without a degree.
Extra Licenses to Step Up Your Landscaping Game
To get started on basic lawn care and hedge trimming, you still just need a high school diploma and maybe a business license. Of course, there’s always room to expand- you just need the proper licensing.
Many states, such as California and Florida, require an extra license for applying pesticides. This is typically called something along the lines of ‘Commercial Applicator License’, or ‘Qualified Applicator License’- the name can vary as much as the need for it. It’s very important to check the licensing laws in your state so that you don’t break the law on accident.
Irrigation, such as installing sprinkler systems, is another license entirely. It’s certainly a nice license to have but consider your climate. Landscapers operating in a drier area might benefit from an irrigation license more than landscapers in a humid, rainy area.
Certain states- once again looking at you, Florida- require a license for applying fertilizer, as well. This is an important one! Fertilizer helps plants look nice and healthy, so a lot of customers are going to want it. If you want to be a step above the rest, consider getting a fertilizer application license.
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The Best Landscaping Certifications to Make You Stand Out!
While it might be relatively easy to get into landscaping- especially in comparison to fields like AC repairman or electrician- there are still certifications you can take to make yourself just that much better of a candidate- for both potential employers and customers. A good certification proves you can achieve high standards, and can get you bigger and better jobs. Alternatively, you can get yourself hired at a more prestigious landscaping company, or hire more talented employees for your own company!
One of the biggest certifications you could get is with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, also known as NALP (and formerly known as the Professional Landcare Network, or PLANET). It’s very easy to get started on their certifications- the first step is to make an account on their website, and then you can enroll in their Landscape Industry Certified credential program. NALP offers several different courses in this program, including ‘Business Manager’, ‘Lawn Care Technician’, and ‘Exterior Technician’, allowing for a diversified portfolio.
The Landscape Industry Certified program is a desirable one for several reasons; chief among them being that, if you run a landscaping company, it means that all of your employees can be certified- making your company all the stronger. Like most certification programs, the Landscape Industry Certified program isn’t free, running between $445-$550 depending on which course you take, but it’s a small price to pay for continued success in the landscaping field.
Another major one comes to us from the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards, also known as CLARB. CLARB certification is a particularly good one, as when you finish the CLARB course, it comes with their recommendation for licensure! Another big benefit of the CLARB certification is reciprocal licensure, meaning that a license in one place is just as good in another. CLARB certification is a requirement for reciprocal licensure in states like Connecticut, Delaware, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Tennessee. It even includes American and Canadian territories like Puerto Rico and Ontario!
Applying for CLARB certification is a bit less cut-and-dry than a NALP one- while the CLARB also has an exam (known as the Landscape Architect Registration Examination, or LARE) and an application, your CLARB certification will be granted simply once the Council has decided you’ve maintained a good record for long enough.
If you’re in Florida, you’re in luck- you can get a certification from one of the state’s biggest colleges! The University of Florida offers a ‘Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Certified Professional’ designation, also known as FFLCP. The FFLCP program takes a more scientific-based approach to landscaping, teaching you technical skills and knowledge to build a more environmentally friendly landscape. Additionally, those who receive the FFLCP designation are offered a listing on the list of FFLCP-designated individuals, granting you a huge advantage over other landscapers.
Landscaping College Options
Speaking of colleges! If you’re looking for an excuse to go back, here’s your sign. College isn’t for everyone, but it can surely help anybody who can handle it. Many colleges and universities offer landscaping courses, allowing you to expand your knowledge base while also potentially getting a degree!
Florida once again swoops in with the Florida-Friendly Landscaping program, offering eight landscaping-based courses to both help you get an edge in knowledge and work towards your Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Certified Professional designation!
If you’re looking for a little more than a few courses here and there, several colleges in thirty-eight states offer full degrees in landscaping and landscaping-related fields. With a whopping number of thirty-eight states, the odds are in your favor- there’s likely one near you! If you’re in Illinois or Ohio, you’re in luck. Illinois has ten schools offering landscaping degrees, while Ohio holds the record at fourteen.
If you’re a bit of an overachiever, you could always go Ivy League- Harvard has a landscape program! Though, Cornell’s is higher rated, so that may attract you a little more.
Of course, you don’t need to aim directly for a landscaping degree. Sometimes, a degree in a related field is just as good. Plus, with it being offered as a full degree by more colleges, why not consider a degree in horticulture? You’ll frequently meet horticulturists in the landscaping field, and why not? It’s good to know what you’re working with, and if you’re working with plants, there’s a lot to know! Plus, horticulturists make $75k a year on average- that’s a nice bit of change in your pocket.
A Summary
So, let’s sum this all up. It can be very easy to start your career in landscaping, with minimal licensing needed in most states- though, if you want, there are various certifications and degrees you can pursue to make yourself a more viable competitor in a large market. If you want to expand your business practices, you can get licenses for anything from spraying pesticides to operating in another state. With this in mind, go for it, and get landscaping!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I work for another company, or start my own?
That depends on what your goals are. While starting your own business has the potential to make more money, it requires more overhead and more investment on your part, while working for another landscaping company can provide more regular pay with less risk and more room for growth.
Do I need to get certified?
Typically, no- but it certainly does help. Unless you’re looking for a reciprocal license, most states won’t demand you be certified, though many customers will prefer it. If you’re unsure about certification, give it some time, and think about whether you’re happy with your volume of work. If you’d like more, consider certification!
To learn more on how you can start your own landscaping business, check out my startup documents here.
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Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Landscape Business Fan.
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a landscape business owner at a job site, driving down the road or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Landscaping Business Boss: I want to help landscape business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.