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Industry News: Special Report The benefits of APLD certification A ccording to the Association of Pro- fessional Landscape Designers (APLD), certified landscape design- ers have a competitive edge because they give clients confidence that their landscape design has been prepared by a professional with the skill, knowledge and education to execute a landscape plan properly from start to finish. Credentials from the nationally recognized organization enable designers to stand out among their peers. Certification benefits landscape design- ers because they are credentialed by the leader in the landscape design community. "Certification is something that clients un- derstand," said Marti Neely, APLD certifi- cation committee chair. "Clients are looking for experts they can trust. They understand that a certified landscape de- signer is a professional who will deliver the highest standard of design possible." The APLD certification program sets the stan- dard for the landscape design profession and recognizes designers for their superior skills, education and design work. According to APLD, a certified land- scape designer is committed to keeping up with current landscape design best prac- tices, is knowledgeable about landscape de- sign trends and can use the credentials to garner increased media exposure, which helps generate new business leads. Award-winning landscape designer Suzanne Arca has seen the benefits first hand. "Submitting my work to APLD for certification review was one of the best decisions I have made to grow profession- ally," she said. "All my professional affilia- tions and state license are my commitment to a professional standard, and I want to encourage all APLD members to have a goal of certification. It just makes us stronger as an organization and it can be a personal commitment to being the best you can be as a landscape professional." APLD certification: * Shows that a landscape designer is being held to the highest standards of practice. * Distinguishes a professional landscape designer from other non certified mem- bers and garden designers. * Proves a commitment to excellent www.landscapeirrigation.com Landscape and Irrigation 7 design and continuing design education. * Allows designers usage of APLD cer- tified logo and the certification title for use on communications. * Creates a strong connection between a dynamic organization and a designer. * Enables increased visibility and recog- nition on the APLD website. How does it work? The APLD Certification Review panel reviews applications quarterly for certifica- tion. The panel assigns a point value for design competence, environmental aware- ness, design intent, plant knowledge, com- position, graphics and overall presentation of work. Only members who score in the top percentage of a rigorous point scale are granted acceptance. Only those accepted may use the title of APLD after their name. These exclusive credentials show clients and peers a commitment to the highest level of professionalism. Applicants for Certified Membership submit the following materials: * Application form. * Educational records. * Documentation of 3 installed projects. * A planting plan drawn to scale for each project, along with site, concept, hardscape and lighting plans and construc- tion drawings where needed to describe the project. * A complete plant list for each project. * Before and after photos of each proj- ect. * Bids for installation. * Business statement. Certification is available to those pro- fessionals who have been practicing land- scape design for a minimum of two years. Application materials and information are available at www.apld.org. LI