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? Contact Tiffany Carpenter, PLNA Certification Coordinator at tcarpenter@wannerassoc.com.
The Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist (PCH) program is for those professionals who have an in-depth knowledge of plants, including their physiology, identification, culture, growth
and maintenance as well as the basics of landscape design and installation and garden center operations. Once awarded the PCH designation, the professional must maintain certification through a program of continuing education credits to ensure his/her
ongoing knowledge and expertise as a professional in the horticultural industry.
An application form must be submitted either online or by mail,
and the application fee must be paid to complete the application process.
The PCH Study Manual, designed to serve as a comprehensive study guide for those preparing for the PCH exam, is sold separately from the PCH application fee as a PDF digital download or a PDF on a USB drive and can be purchased prior to applying.
