Question: As a big fan of the City Beautiful Movement of the late 19th century-early 20th century, I believe that being part of a visually pleasant community, be it a city or a neighborhood, enhances one's life. I recently helped my sister with a "facelift" for her front lawn which encompassed everything from newly planted flowers to installing a new sprinkler system. The visual transformation of her yard brought her to tears. I continue to be impressed by how landscaping can enhance the entire look of a place and I am now considering a career as a landscape contractor. Do I need a license?
— David

Response: You do not need a license to perform softscape work that involves the design and installation of landscaping and planting for single-family residential gardens or front and backyards. But in order to perform hardscape work you will need a landscape contractor's license.

Licensing
The minimum educational requirement for the Class C-27 landscape contractor's license issued by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is a high school diploma. In addition, there is a work experience requirement of one to four years depending on your educational background.

For example, you could work for a landscaping company as a sales representative for a wholesale plant division. You could also work in retail sales at a nursery. Another position you could consider is landscape project coordinator.

To minimize the work experience requirement, you could complete an associate's degree in horticulture or landscape planning and design. That degree would allow you to receive up to 1½ years of credit towards the work experience requirement.

To become licensed, you also need to pass the Law and Business examination and the trade specialty multiple-choice examination in landscaping.

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) web site provides a downloadable examination study guide. The examination fee is $250 and the registration license fee is $150. There is also an additional fee of $50 for a specialized contractor license.

Additional licensing requirements include $2,500 in operating capital (current assets minus current liabilities). You must also purchase a license bond from a bonding company in the amount of $10,000, which would involve making payments of $199 every two years. By 2007, the bond amount is expected to increase to $12,500.

For further information contact:
Contractors State License Board
9821 Business Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95827
(800) 321-2752
www.cslb.ca.gov
Job Description
A licensed landscape contractor may maintain, repair, install or subcontract the development of landscape systems and facilities for public and private gardens and spaces. They are responsible for the installation of sprinkling systems, walkways, drainage and land grading. They also handle outdoor structures that improve the aesthetics of the space such as water elements, walls or gazebos.

Training Options and Costs
The following school offers an associate's degree program in landscape:
Pierce College
6201 Winnetka Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA 91371
(818) 719-6404
www.piercecollege.com
Contact: Dick South, Department Chairman
(818) 710-2978
The Horticultural and Landscaping Department offers both a 30-unit basic landscape technician certificate program and a 40-unit advanced landscape technician certificate program. Additionally, the school offers a two-year Associate of Science Degree in Landscape Planning and Design.

For the associate's degree, you will need to complete general education requirements as well as core courses such as Introduction to Soils; Plant Identification and Use I; Residential Landscape Design; Landscape Installation; and Maintenance and Irrigation and Design Installation. The cost is $26 per unit.

Professional Associations
The following professional associations can provide you with more information:
American Society of Horticultural Science
www.ashs.org
This organization is dedicated to research, advancement and education in horticulture. Active membership is open to those who have an interest in horticultural.

Membership benefits include networking opportunities through a membership directory and conferences. The 2007 national conference will be held in Scottsdale, AZ. Members also receive field updates through publications such as HortTechnology. Annual membership dues are $150.
Southern California Horticultural Society
PO Box 4180
Burbank, CA 90041
(818) 567-1496
www.socahort.org
E-mail: Membership@socahort.org
The society serves as a forum for the sharing of knowledge and experiences in the areas of gardening and botany. Membership benefits include industry updates through publications such as Pacific Horticulture. Networking opportunities are also available to members, such as at the upcoming September 2006 Annual Awards Dinner to be held at the Huntington Botanical Gardens. Annual membership dues are $35.

While membership in the following professional association is restricted to working landscape professionals, you could consider utilizing resources available to non-members:
Professional Landcare Network (PLN)
(703) 736-9666
www.landcarenetwork.org
This international association serves lawn care professionals, exterior maintenance contractors, installation/design/build professionals, and interior scapers. PLN publishes Blueprint for Success: Proven Systems for the Installation and D/B Contractor, available at a cost of $160 for non-members.

PLN also offers certifications in landscape including Certified Ornamental Landscape Professional (COLP). This requires completing a self-study course covering the principles of landscape tree and shrub maintenance as well as passing two open-book examinations. The certification fee for non-members is $450.

After securing a job in landscape, you would be qualified to join the association. This would provide you with additional benefits including a membership directory. Annual affiliate membership dues are $80.

The following professional association is highly recommended for licensed landscape contractors:
California Landscape Contractors Association
1491 River Park Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 830-2780
www.clca.org
San Fernando Valley Chapter
20946 Devonshire St., Ste. 200
Chatsworth, CA 91311
(818) 772-7233
www.clcasfv.org
This is a trade association of licensed landscape and landscape-related contractors. Membership benefits include networking opportunities at local chapter meetings, listing on an Internet referral service, and business discounts. Dues for regular membership are determined according to a contractor's annual sales volume. You should attend the association's annual landscape industry trade show to be held in February 2007 in Los Angeles. That will allow you to network and learn more about the myriad resources in the field.

Employment Outlook
Above average growth is projected through 2008 for landscapers.

Earnings
Landscape contractors earn from $35,000 to $49,000. This is an estimate of earnings since most landscape contractors are self-employed. Earnings range widely depending on variety of factors.
— • —
 
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.