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    Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program

    Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program

    Becoming a Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Certified Professional


     

    There are two steps to become certified:

    • Step 1: Prerequisite Training

      Complete the prerequisite online training courses. These courses consist of short videos, online activities and/or readings, and a course test. Each course is $20, or use the package link below to receive a discount. If you hold another professional landscape certification, some of the courses are waived.

      Complete six 1-hour online courses

      • Introduction to the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program
      • Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Legislation, Codes, and Your Community
      • Maintenance with Florida-Friendly Landscaping™
      • Florida-Friendly Turfgrass:  Selection and Best Management Practices
      • Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Recognition Program
      • Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Design Considerations

      Or, use one of the eligible certifications below to reduce the online course requirement.


      GI-BMP Training Certificate

      If you have successfully completed the GI-BMP training and received a training certificate, three additional courses are required:

      • Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Legislation, Codes, and Your Community
      • Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Recognition Program
      • Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Design Considerations

      FNGLA Certification

      If you have an active, qualifying FNGLA certification such as Certified Horticulture Professional (FCHP), Certified Landscape Designer (FCLD), or Certified Landscape Contractor (FCLC), only two courses are required:

      • Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Legislation, Codes, and Your Community
      • Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Recognition Program

      Florida Water StarSM Accredited Professional

      If you have an active Florida Water Star Accredited Professional designation, only two courses are required:

      • Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Legislation, Codes, and Your Community
      • Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Recognition Program
    • Step 2: Field Module

      The 3- to 4-hour Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Certified Professional Field Module consists of both classroom and field training, and an exam. The classroom training will review FFL principles and topics covered in the online prerequisite courses. The field training will be a site visit to review site conditions, identify what is/is not FFL, identify invasive plants and weeds, and discuss recommended management practices.

      • The cost of the course is $50 which will be paid to the UF/IFAS Extension FFL certification trainer.
      • Applicant will need to provide their own transportation to/from the site.
      • After completing the field module, participants must take and pass a test and agree to abide by the FFLCP Code of Ethics.

      If you have any questions, email fflcp@ifas.ufl.edu


      Upcoming Field Modules

      October 20, 2026
      8:30am to 12pm EDT
      UF/IFAS Extension Leon County
      615 Paul Russell Road, Tallahassee, FL 32301
      REGISTER for 10/20 Leon County

      October 22, 2026
      9:00am to 1pm EDT
      UF/IFAS Extension Lee County
      5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral, FL 33914
      REGISTER for 10/22 Lee County


    Back to FFLCP

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    Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program
    P.O. Box 110675 Gainesville, FL 32611-0675
    (352) 273-4518

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