PLNA is raising the bar for green industry certification. After a year of collaboration with LandStudies, we’re thrilled to unveil a modernized, expert-crafted PA Certified Horticulturist (PCH) manual—available early 2026—with a new exam to follow.
What You Need to Know:
- Now–Dec 1, 2025: Last chance to apply under the current PCH program
- Jan 2026: Pre-orders open for the new manual
- Feb 4–5, 2026: Launch at the PLNA Annual Conference
- Final in-person exam for the current manual
- Earn CEUs toward your new certification
- April 2026: New PCH exam goes live
Questions or ready to schedule your exam? Contact Tiffany Carpenter, PLNA Certification Coordinator at tcarpenter@wannerassoc.com.
Why become certified?
The Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist (PCH) program raises the standards for nursery, garden center, and landscape contracting professionals and companies. Those who achieve the PCH certification or employ PCH professionals demonstrate an elevated commitment to excellence.
A PCH professional must maintain their certification through a program of continuing education credits to stay up to date on green industry best practices and trends.
Benefits for Individuals - Validate your industry knowledge.
- Build pride in your skills.
- Demonstrate your dedication to excellence in horticulture.
- Increase your chance of employability with an additional certification.
| Benefits for Employers - Provide your firm with an unrivaled marketing tool.
- Enhance your company's image.
- Increase customer respect.
- Provide an effective tool for employee motivation.
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Additional Details and Resources
Eligibility
It is recommended that individuals meet one of the following criteria to take the exam:
- Two years of employment in the landscape or nursery industry during the previous four-year period; or
- Two years (60 credits) of classroom study in a recognized horticulture curriculum completed within the past four years; or
- A combination of one year (30 credits) of horticulture education and one year of employment in the landscape or nursery industry, for a total of two years, within the last four years.
The PCH Associate Program
The PCH Associate Program (PCH Associate) is intended for high school and college level horticulture students or early career employees seeking foundational certification before meeting the requirements of the full PCH exam.
Note to Teachers: The PLNA PCH Associate certification is designated as a PA Department of Education Industry-Recognized Credential for career and technical programs (CIP 01.0601 - Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General) in Pennsylvania's career clusters.
Learn More
Reciprocity
PLNA offers reciprocity with many other landscape and nursery association (horticulturists or nursery and landscape) certifications. Contact PLNA for more details.
Questions? Contact Tiffany Carpenter, PLNA Certification Coordinator, at tcarpenter@wannerassoc.com or 717-238-1673.
