About the CPP Test

The North Carolina Certified Plant Professional certification is a written and plant identification test that seeks to recognize proficiency in the nursery workforce, upgrade the status of the nursery professional, and provide the public with a means of identifying qualified nursery professionals.

To become a Certified Plant Professional, the applicant must pass (70% correct) the written test, the plant identification test, as well as document of 12 months of experience in plant production or sales.
Written Exam
100 multiple choice and true-false questions - there are no essay questions.

Plant Identification Exam
There are 125 live plants to identify. Test plants are assembled by local nurseries for each individual test – no two test have the exact same plants.  The plants are numbered and the applicant matches the plant number with the correct name, from the Plant ID list provided.  No spelling or writing names of plants is required!   

NC Landscape Contractors’ Registration Board
The Plant ID portion of this test is required by the NC Landscape Contractors’ Registration Board – your half way there, why not get CPP certified too!

Click here for a Plant List

 

Test reviews are held at individual test locations by Area Extension Agents – not all site offer reviews. 
Here are a few short courses available across the state. 
2009 CPP Short Course - Henderson County
2009 CPP Short Course - Pitt County
2009 CPP Short Course - Greensboro

Who is Eligible for Testing?
Any person with experience in either plant production or plant sales, with written verification of such experience is eligible to take the test. Twelve months of documented plant experience is required before a Certified Plant Professional Certificate is issued.

Click here for a test application

Click here for a list of Certified Plant Professionals

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