About Pro Grounds – Industry Certifications

Certified Landscape Professionals & Certified Landscape Technicians

Professional Grounds, Inc. strives to be at the forefront of the landscape industry, and having quality, experienced employees to serve our valued clientele has always been our philosophy. By doing so, we feel our customers realize they aren’t just hiring a landscape company, rather they’re hiring professionals within the landscape industry. Because of this belief, Professional Grounds, Inc. employees have worked and are working to become Certified through the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET).

These comprehensive exams allow individuals to set themselves apart from others and help them to grow professionally within our industry. In addition, in order to maintain their Certification, candidates who achieve these designations are required to re-certify annually by participating in industry training throughout the year. This program not only provides professional growth for the individual, but also sets Professional Grounds, Inc. apart from our competition and offers our valued clientele the best personnel and experience the landscape industry has to offer.

Certified Landscape Professionals (CLPs)

In order to achieve the CLP designation, a candidate must have the education and experience necessary to quality to take the test and master a body of material on all aspects of running a landscape business. The four-hour exam is divided into seven sections: Corporate Financial Management; Risk, Law and Contracts; Marketing and Sales Management; Strategic Planning; Human Resources; Leadership and Corporate Citizenship; and Exterior or Interior Production/Operations and Horticulture.

Professional Grounds, Inc. is proud of its two employees who have achieved the CLP designation thus far, William Trimmer and Angie Krause, and others are studying to achieve this goal.

Certified Landscape Technician-Exterior (CLT-E)

The CLT-Exterior exam is a day-long event that tests the candidate’s ability to properly use equipment, demonstrate an understanding of handling plants and related materials, and pass written general comprehension tests — all done under the pressure of strict time frames. The candidate selects a specialty area (Maintenance, Installation, or Irrigation) and is judged on the skills and knowledge needed to perform tasks in that specialty. State associations are licensed by PLANET to administer the test.

Professional Grounds, Inc. is proud of Jeff Findley who achieved the CLT-E designation and others who are currently studying to achieve this goal.

Virginia Certified Horticulturist

To provide sound scientific horticultural advice to customers, nursery sales and landscape installation and maintenance personnel must be knowledgeable about a wide variety of horticultural subjects including plant identification and use, soils, pesticides, nutrient and water requirements, landscape design and more. A knowledgeable employee is a valuable asset to any nursery, landscape installation, or maintenance firm and recognizing their horticultural abilities and skills is what the Virginia Certified Horticulturist program is all about. (Formerly known as the "Virginia Certified Nurseryman" program.)

The VCH program sponsors a statewide examination to certify those candidates who have demonstrated the basic knowledge and skills to service nursery, garden center and landscape customers. Those who pass the examination earn the privilege and honor of becoming a Virginia Certified Horticulturist.

Professional Grounds, Inc. is proud of Lanelle Kyle who achieved the VCH designation and others who are currently studying to achieve this goal.

ICPI Certified Contractor

The ICPI Concrete Paver Installer Certification course communicates high standards to contractors who build segmental concrete patios, driveways, plazas, parking lots, and streets. Launched in 1995, the two-day certification course enhances the knowledge of individuals who construct interlocking concrete pavements.

Installers are instructed by ICPI Certified Instructors who have attended ICPI training and have years of experience in the industry.

Professional Grounds, Inc. is proud of Lanelle Kyle who achieved the VCH designation and others who are currently studying to achieve this goal.

If you are looking for more information about how working with a company whose employees have earned the Planet Certified Landscape Professional (CLP and CLT-E) designation can be beneficial to you, then please contact us and we will be happy to explain the program in more detail.