How to Become a Landscape Horticulturist in British Columbia
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Landscape horticulturist is a voluntary trade in British Columbia. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“If you are already a registered apprentice or have obtained your Red Seal or Certificate of Qualification in one of the compulsory trades, you have fulfilled the requirements of Skilled Trades Certification, and no further action is required.”
From skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 5 steps, listed one-time fees $120
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
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You must have an employer or sponsor who is willing to sponsor and register you as an apprentice.
Source
“have an employer/or sponsor who is willing to sponsor and register you as an apprentice”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa... -
You must meet any required registration prerequisites for your trade.
Source
“meet any required registration prerequisites for your trade”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa... -
You register with SkilledTradesBC to become an apprentice.
Source
“register with SkilledTradesBC”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with SkilledTradesBC
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
You register with a sponsor in British Columbia to begin the process.
Source
“To begin this process, you’ll need to register with a sponsor in B.C. and provide a B.C. mailing address on your registration application through the SkilledTradesBC Portal.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/apprentice-mobility -
You provide a B.C. mailing address on your registration application through the SkilledTradesBC Portal.
Source
“you’ll need to register with a sponsor in B.C. and provide a B.C. mailing address on your registration application through the SkilledTradesBC Portal.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/apprentice-mobility
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with SkilledTradesBC
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 5 done
- Listed one-time fees: $120
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 26.3 to 26.8 months (only 2 of 5 steps state a time)
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You search for your trade and review the declaration form to find the required hours of work experience, job task percentage and prerequisite credentials.
Source
“Review the Employer Declaration or Statutory Declaration form (near the bottom of your trade page), where you can find the hours of work experience, percentage of job task experience and any prerequisite credentials required.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam -
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, you create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account by selecting the option to challenge a certification exam.
Source
“Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, create a SkilledTradesBC Portal account by selecting the option to challenge a certification exam to start your application.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam -
You complete and submit your application on the Portal with an Employer or Statutory Declaration for each period of work experience, and all documents must be in English.
- Application fee: $120
Source
“Pay the $120 application fee through the Portal and submit your application and declaration form(s).”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam
Source
“Complete and submit your application by following the prompts on the Portal. Follow this step-by-step guide for detailed instructions on what to expect during the application process. All documents submitted must be in English.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam - Application fee: $120
-
SkilledTradesBC reviews your application package and verifies your work experience with the employers and references you provide.
Time: 10 to 12 weeksTime source
“The typical processing time is approximately 10 to 12 weeks, or longer if you have work experience outside of Canada.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-examSource
“SkilledTradesBC will review your application package, verify your work experience with the employer(s)/references you provide and determine whether you have the necessary experience to challenge the certification exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam -
If approved, you schedule and pass your certification exam and any practical assessments within 24 months of your application approval.
Time: 24 monthsTime source
“You can schedule and pass your certification exam and practical assessments, if applicable, within 24 months of your application approval.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-examSource
“You can schedule and pass your certification exam and practical assessments, if applicable, within 24 months of your application approval.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam
Listed fees for this route
One-time total listed: $120
| Fee type | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $120 | 100% |
| One-time total | $120 | 100% |
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Out-of-province assessment fee: $120
Source
“$120 out-of-province assessment fee. You can pay online, by mail or with a cheque (payable to SkilledTradesBC) with your application.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
Requirements
Experience
You must have the required hours and scope of hands-on work experience in the trade to challenge the certification exam.
Source
“You have the required hours and scope of hands-on work experience in the trade.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam
Other
Your references will be contacted by phone to verify your work experience, and the application will be denied if they cannot be contacted.
Source
“Your references will be contacted by phone to verify your work experience. If references cannot be contacted, it will result in a denied application.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-examAll documents submitted with your application must be in English.
To be employed as an apprentice, you must be legally authorized to work in Canada.
Source
“To be employed as an apprentice, you must be legally authorized to work in Canada.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa...
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages state that holders of a Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian jurisdiction may be eligible to obtain a Red Seal Endorsement by submitting an exam application, a photocopy of their certificate and a $120 assessment fee, but they do not state how out-of-province licence holders register in B.C. for this occupation. Source
“If you hold a Certificate in a skilled trade outside of B.C. from another provincial apprenticeship authority or Canadian jurisdiction, you may be eligible to obtain a Red Seal Endorsement.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
Submit exam application
Source
“Please submit the following documents to Customer Service: - Exam Application - A photocopy of your Certificate of Qualification - $120 out-of-province assessment fee.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Exams
-
Certification exam
Source
“You can schedule and pass your certification exam and practical assessments, if applicable, within 24 months of your application approval.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam -
Practical assessment
Source
“Some trades may also require a practical assessment in addition to the certification exam.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam -
Red Seal exam
Source
“There is no fee to challenge the Red Seal exam for the first and second attempts.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Exemptions: IELTS or CELPIP results are not required to become a skilled trade apprentice or to write an exam with SkilledTradesBC. Source
“No, this is not required to become a skilled trade apprentice or to write an exam with us.”
skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa...
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with SkilledTradesBC
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $20.00 | $25.00 | $33.00 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $21.00 | $30.00 | $40.87 | — |
Landscape horticulturists in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Voluntary certification
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- Quebec Voluntary certification
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Voluntary certification
- Prince Edward Island Voluntary certification
- Newfoundland and Labrador Voluntary certification
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Skilled Trades Certification (Compulsory Trades) | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification · fetched October 9, 2026
- Newcomers and International Tradespersons | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/index%2Ephp/get-certified/newcomers-internationa... · fetched October 11, 2026
- Apprentice Mobility | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/apprentice-mobility · fetched October 10, 2026
- Challenge a Certification Exam | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/challenge-certification-exam · fetched October 9, 2026
- Canadian and Military Certificate Holders | SkilledTradesBC skilledtradesbc.ca/canadian-and-military-certificate-holders · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a landscape horticulturist in British Columbia?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in British Columbia. Certification is managed by SkilledTradesBC.
Which exams are required?
Certification exam, Practical assessment, Red Seal exam.
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