LNLA'S CERTIFIED NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL (CNLP)

It is important to note that the LNLA's CNLP is not the same as the state licenses needed to practice horticulture in Louisiana, and does not allow you to legally conduct a professional horticultural business in Louisiana. To learn more about the state licensing process contact the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Horticulture Commission at 225-952-8100 and visit their website.

Upcoming Exam Dates for CNLP Review & Exam: 

Date: CNLP Training - February 3 & 4 (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)

Location: Swoop-Jackson Conference Room, LSU AgCenter – Calcasieu Parish Building

Cost: 
Member Rate with Test - $185
Non-Member Rate with Test - $225
Test Only - $125

Register here for the Feb. 3-4, 2026 CNLP Training. 

***Click here for Louisiana's newest plant hardiness zone map released November 2023***

Why get certified?

You will increase your knowledge of horticulture and you may cite your LNLA Certication on resumes, business cards, vehicles, etc. to demonstrate your high professional standards. Certification shows that you have a good understanding of the information contained in the Manual. Horticulture businesses, such as nurseries, garden centers, landscape maintenance companies and landscape instillation companies, send their employees to the CNLP Review and Tests to make them more knowledgeable and effective.

Who should get certified?

Primarily, persons in the retail garden center and landscape contracting/maintenance areas of the ‘Green Industry’ participate, however the course is also recommended for wholesale growers, irrigation contractors and Master Gardeners. The manual review is excellent preparation for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s horticultural services and landscape contracting. The CNLP was established to provide a professional educational opportunity for ‘Green Industry’ professionals.

What do I need to know to pass the certification exam?

The Louisiana Manual for the Environmental Horticulture Industry is the primary reference you must be familiar with to pass the test and obtain your state horticultural licenses in the categories of Horticulturist, Landscape Contractor and Nursery Stock Dealer. The Manual is thoroughly reviewed during the CNLP Review making it an excellent way to prepare for your state license tests. It is best to obtain and look through the Manual before the Review and Exams. The exam includes identification of plant specimens from the several lists of plants in various sections of the manual, so you should be able to identify many of the plants listed in the manual.

Where do I get the manual?

The cost of the Manual is $65 (includes S/H).  Click here to order the manual online.

How do I register?

To register, click on the date above you would like to take the manual review and certification exam.

Terms and Conditions

To view the LNLA Terms and Conditions, please go here

Landscape Hort Licensing VS LNLA Certification

• Licensing is REQUIRED to conduct business as a “Landscaper” in the state of Louisiana; this is anything above grass cutting.
• Licensing is offered only through LDAF (225-952-8100) or ldaf.state.la.us.  
• Licensing exam fee is $114.  This exam can be taken Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment but must be scheduled with LDAF
• Licensing exam is in-person but computer based with 50 questions that consist of a mix of True/False, Matching, and Multiple Choice.
• An exam score of 70% or greater is required to then apply for the license. 
• If you fail the licensing exam you must wait 7 days to take the exam again.
• Study material for licensing exam is “The Louisiana Manual for the Environmental Horticulture Industry” $65 offered only at lnla.org

• Certification is NOT REQUIRED to conduct business as a “Landscaper” in the state of Louisiana.
• Certification is optional and given through LNLA (985-237-2939) or lnla.org
• Certification exam is offered 2x a year in Feb and June. The certification exam follows a 2 day in-person manual review session.
• Study material for certification exam is “The Louisiana Manual for the Environmental Horticulture Industry” $65 offered only at lnla.org
• Cost of the 2 day manual review is $100 and certification exam cost is $75.
• The Certification exam is made up of 5 parts.  4 are written from manual material and the 5th is plant identification.  All sections require a 70 or greater to pass.  Once you pass any section of the certification exam you do not have to take that section again but certification will not be issued to the exam taker until all 5 parts are passed with a 70 or greater.  All 5 sections must be passed in a 2 year period … after 2 years all sections will be required to take over again.
• Certification is a marketing tool for yourself or a course that employers may have employees participate in to have a better understanding of the industry.

Manual Reviews are great for both the Licensing and Certification exams.  The review is not required but available to those who would like to participate.