Certification Descriptions
Certified Green Industry Professional
Certified Green Industry Professional (CGIP) is the recognized Certification Program of the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA). It is a well-established and trusted program that identifies dedicated individuals who are knowledgeable and experienced in their chosen field of work within the Green Industry. Professionals may be certified under any or all of the following specialties:
- CGIP – Michigan Certified Nurseryman
- CGIP – Michigan Certified Landscape Contractor
- CGIP – Michigan Certified Landscape Manager
- CGIP – Michigan Certified Landscape Designer
- CGIP – Michigan Certified Garden Retailer
APLD – Certified Professional
The Association of Professional Landscape Designers’ certification program confers professional recognition to landscape designers based on established standards of excellence.
Certified Natural Shoreline Professional
Certified Natural Shoreline Professionals have demonstrated competency in shoreline and near shore soils, plant communities, aquatic habitats, water law and permitting, wave energy assessment and the methods and techniques involved in designing natural shoreline landscaping and bioengineered erosion control on inland lakes.
Irrigation Association - Select Certified
Certified irrigation professionals are committed to managing water efficiently and to keeping current with the latest techniques and technology. Professionals may be certified under any or all of the following specialties:
- Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC)
- Certified Irrigation Designer (CID)
- Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA)
- Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor (CGIA)
- Certified Landscape Water Manager (CLWM)
- Certified Agricultural Irrigation Specialist (CAIS)
- Certified Agricultural Water Manager (CAWM)
ISA Certified Arborist
The Certified Arborist credential identifies professional arborists who have a minimum of three years’ full-time experience working in the professional tree care industry and who have passed an extensive examination covering all facets of arboriculture. Professionals may be certified under any or all of the following specialties:
- ISA Certified Arborist®
- ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist™
- ISA Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist®
- ISACertified Tree Worker Climber Specialist®
- ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist®
- ISA Board Certified Master Arborist®
MDARD Certified Pesticide Applicator
The Pesticide Applicator certification is for professionals wishing to apply pesticides in the state of Michigan. Pesticides include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and other products intended to prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate a pest and substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant or desiccant. In the Nursery & Landscape Industry the most commonly held license categories are 3A (Turf) and 3B (Ornamentals).
MPCA Certified Road Salt Applicators
Certified Road Salt Applicators have attended voluntary Road Salt Training, completed and passed the associated test and agreed to voluntarily apply Best Management Practices to reduce chloride impacts.
NALP (National Association of Landscape Professionals) Landscape Industry Certified
Landscape Industry Certified is a broad but powerful distinction for individuals who have taken their experience, skills and desire for excellence to the next level by studying, testing and becoming certified. Professionals may be certified under any or all of the following specialties:
- Landscape Industry Certified Manager
- Landscape Industry Certified Technician – Exterior
- Landscape Industry Certified Interior Technician
- Landscape Industry Certified Horticultural Technician
- Landscape Industry Certified Lawn Care Manager
- Landscape Industry Certified Lawn Care Technician – National
- Landscape Industry Certified Lawn Care Technician
