Unlock Your Green Potential: Become a Certified Plant Expert!

Registration is now open! Click here to download the registration form or register online.

DID YOU KNOW?

An increasing number of professional firms now require certified staff to handle installation and design projects

WHY ENROLL IN CCH?

• Boost Your Knowledge: Gain expertise to guide consumers in making informed plant choices.
• Enhance Work Performance: Elevate your skills and excel in your role.
• Advance Your Business: Propel your company forward with industry-recognized certifications.
• Foster Team Collaboration: Join a community of like-minded professionals.
• Industry Relevance: Stay competitive by having certifications that matter.

CCH WELCOMES ALL GREEN INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS!

Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, CCH caters to everyone working or studying in the green industry. Our past students come from diverse backgrounds including design, growing/propagation, landscape, retail, turf management, and wholesale.

Program Format

CNLA’s annual 13-week certification program will teach you botany, plant identification, and professional horticultural information. The low admission fee for the Connecticut Certified Horticulturist program makes accreditation open to all persons interested in the nursery and landscape industry. Learn directly from several instructors, who give great, two-hour informative lectures each night. Pass the CCH exam and you will be recognized at the CNLA Winter Symposium in January.

This on-line class will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 pm beginning August 25, 2026 using Zoom. Prior to the start of class, a link to login to the virtual course will be emailed to you via the email address provided during registration. A Plant ID workshop is scheduled for September 19, 2026; 10:00 – noon at Prides Corner Farms, 122 Waterman Rd, Lebannon. Only registered attendees can participate in the workshop. The exam will be in-person at The CT Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St, New Haven; 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

Rates:

Members and their employees: $175 (after 8/7/26 the rate is $205)
Non-members: $250 (after 8/7/26 the rate is $280)
Physical Manual: $100 (a digital copy is included in your registration)

2026 SCHEDULE*

All classes are on Tuesday; 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

August 26 – Perennials
September 2 – Plant ID I
September 9 – Plant ID II
September 16 – Botany
September 19 – Plant ID Workshop (In-person at Prides Corner Farms, 122 Waterman Road, Lebannon, CT; 10:00 – Noon)
September 23 – Environmental Factors & Culture
September 30 – Lawns
October 7 – Soils
October 14 – Insects
October 21 – Plant ID III
October 28 – Nutrition
November 4 – Plant Diseases
November 11 – Design
November 18 – Weeds
November 25 – Review
December 1 ~ Exam (The exam will be in-person at The CT Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington St, New Haven; 6:00 – 8:00 pm.)

*Subject to change

Contact the CNLA Office with any questions.