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PA Certified Horticulturist (PCH) Program

Updated PCH Manual Now Available!

The updated PCH manual is complete and ready for consumption! Containing modern, practical diagrams and images, easy-to-read content, summaries, and practice questions, the PCH manual is a tool all horticulturists and landscape professionals need. 

Online access is FREE for PLNA members and USBs are available for purchase.

Start your PA Certified Horticulturist journey today!

The updated PCH certification exam will launch in April 2026.

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. 

 

Apply for Your PCH Certification

 



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.

The Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association (PLNA) is the leading trade association representing Pennsylvania's $6.8 billion green industry. Its member landscape contractors, retail garden centers, wholesale nurseries and greenhouses produce outdoor living environments that improve economic value, air quality, water quality and human health.