CPP Review and Exam
Whether you’re gearing up for the final push to become a Certified Plant Professional (CPP) or are simply exploring the depth of horticulture knowledge required, this CPP Review may be for you. The instructors have decades of horticulture experience. To take full advantage of this review, NCNLA strongly recommends you purchase, read, and study the CPP manual before attending the review. The review will focus on plant identification using images and questions will be answered related to the CPP study manual.
Is this review for you?
• If you have put in the work to prepare for the exam on your own but need some guidance through the final push – this is for you!
• If you are not familiar with the depth of horticultural knowledge required to become a CPP and want to learn how to prepare for the exam – this is for you!
• If you are just beginning to study for the exam and are seeking guidance on how to create your own study plan to take the exam in the future – this is for you!
• Test fees are not included. You must register for the exam separately on the NCNLA website.
• Please note if you can not come both days that is fine. The MAIN Review is on Thursday, October 15.
Schedule of EventsWednesday, October 14, 9:30 am - 4 pm: Open Study & Technical Q&A
Location: Plant Professional Landscape Garden, NC Arboretum. The review begins with an informal, student-led session in the Arboretum’s dedicated Plant Professional Landscape Garden. This is a prime opportunity for candidates to bring specific questions and focus on particular specimens they find challenging. The garden’s layout is specifically curated for CPP candidates, making it the ideal environment for peer discussion and tactile learning.
Thursday, October 15, 9:30 am - 4 pm: Formal Review & Plant WalkLocation: NC Arboretum The second day features a structured formal review led by Luke Owen Buncombe County Horticulture Agent and Cyndi Lauderdale, Director of Education NCNLA.
Morning Plant Walk: We will traverse the grounds to highlight "look-alike" species and commonly misunderstood plants on the CPP list both on the grounds and via PowerPoint slides.
Lunch Included: A mid-day meal is provided, offering a chance for networking with fellow professionals and instructors.
Afternoon Session: Review continues with more specific guidance on challenging plants and opportunities to get last minute questions in before the exam the following day.
Friday, October 16th: CPP Exam @ 9:00am
Location: 49 Mount Carmel Rd, Asheville NC, 28806
Before applying and sitting for the CPP exam, applicants must meet any of the following criteria:
• An associate or bachelor’s degree, or current enrollment at a postsecondary education institution
OR
• Two years of experience in the green industry or with an industry-related supplier of products or services (which encompasses any individual, partnership, limited liability company, association or corporation engaged or employed in the sale, production, handling, storage, use design, planting or maintenance of horticultural or environmental plants or accessories, including educators and other nursery and landscape professionals)
What’s on the CPP Exam?
To become a CPP, the applicant must pass both the written exam and plant identification exam, scoring at least 70% on each.
• Written Exam: This portion consists of 100 multiple-choice and true-false questions—there are no essay questions.
• Plant Identification Exam: This portion requires participants to identify 125 selected plants, diseases or insects from the designated list of 267 items. The test contains photos of the selected items to be identified—live plants will not be used. NCNLA is following in the direction of the NCLCLB with photo identification. This allows us to offer a consistent exam throughout the year.
Preparation Tools:
CPP Study Manual
Plant ID List
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