rocket ship blasting off

Landscape Horticulturist

Landscape 

Horticulturist

LandscapeHorticulturalist
Construction Other
17-30
Red Seal
AdventurousAthleticCuriousVisual
  • How to survey, assess, design and build various landscapes 
  • How to identify a diverse range of plant material  
  • How to care for all kinds of plants, trees and shrubs 
  • How to diagnose and treat plants 
  • How to manage plant pests and incorporate integrated pest management 

Landscape Horticulturists are the masterminds behind many of the green spaces in our communities, knowing which plants and features would enhance the area for everyone’s enjoyment. 

As a Landscape Horticulturist, you’ll enjoy spending most of your time outside, designing and maintaining the various landscapes that cover our communities, from parks to botanical gardens, and more. 

Your work will take you to a wide range of sites, where you’ll assess landscapes, identify and treat plants, and put your vision to work—creating living art. 

24.00
4.00
Training Hours
5280
False

Program Updates

  • January 2023: For information regarding transition to the harmonized program, please see the Transition Update or Transition Plan. Apprentices who have attained Current Level 1, 2, or 3 should contact their Apprenticeship Advisor to discuss options for addressing gaps in their training before taking their next level of technical training.

  • March 2018: Transition Plan

  • March 2018: OPSN 2018 009 (Harmonization)

Program Information

and Resources

Program Profile

Occupational Description

Landscape Horticulturists identify, propagate, cultivate, grow and maintain trees and plants, while also managing injury and disease. They create and modify landscapes by measuring, designing, and interpreting plans. They also construct and maintain gardens, parks, golf courses and other landscape environments.  

Landscape Horticulturists install and maintain hard landscape elements such as retaining walls, patios, walkways and water features. In addition, they advise clients on issues related to horticulture and landscape construction. They are employed by landscape designers, architects and contractors, lawn service and tree care establishments, recreation facilities, golf courses, parks, nurseries, greenhouses, and municipal, provincial and federal governments. They may also be self-employed. 

View Profile

Exam Information

AND RESOURCES

Find exam-related information and resources under each menu item below.

Updates:

Information:

Updates:

Information:

Updates:

Information:

Updates:

Information:

Updates:

  • None

Information:

Challenge the

Trade

If you have significant work experience in a trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may apply to challenge the certification. Learn more about How to Challenge a Skilled Trade.

OR

If you sponsor apprentices but have never been certified in Canada, you may request to supervise and sign-off apprentices when they are ready to be certified. Please refer to the application form on whether this trade qualifies.

  • Customer service 
  • Physical fitness 
  • Equipment and vehicle operation  
  • Plant health management 
  • Landscape design and maintenance 
Certification challenge only trade
1

To get certified, you will need to sign up for technical training at an approved training provider in addition to on-the-job training. 

Visit Trades Training BC and EducationPlannerBC for a comprehensive list of what programs are available in your trade at public and non-public schools. 

For a list of all approved non-public training providers, visit this page.

Climbing Arborist

Climbing 

Arborist

forest of trees with mountainous background in bc
Other Construction
17-30
AdventurousAthleticCuriousVisual
  • How to assess trees and shrubs for risks 
  • How to do aerial work with a lift truck and climbing equipment  
  • How to conduct tree climbing and pruning at heights  
  • How to identify and remediate issues for trees 
  • How to identify common tree health disorders  

Climbing Arborists take to the air, caring for the trees that surround us. They enjoy the challenge of working outdoors, while displaying their caring nature in the way they maintain our green spaces.

As a Climbing Arborist, you’ll spend your days up in the trees, letting your curious and nimble nature help you navigate a challenging and invigorating environment.

You don’t shy away from diverse weather conditions, and you’re great at guiding your work through visual assessments. You’ll assess trees for health risks, either using climbing equipment or vehicles to safety carry out your tasks.

8.00
1.00
Training Hours
1800
False

Program Updates

Individuals applying for a Sign-off Authority number for Climbing Arborist do not require Arborist Technician certification. Updated forms are posted below in the Challenge the Trade section.

The Exam Breakdown is available for the Certificate of Qualification and show the approximate percentage of weighting per General Area of Competency (GAC).

The apprenticeship pathway for Climbing Arborist is now available for registration. Both the apprenticeship and challenge pathway requires the candidate to demonstrate competency in a practical assessment in addition to a written exam. See Occupational Performance Standards for an overview of the competencies that are assessed.

Program

information

Note: Arborist Technician must be taken before Climbing Arborist. 

Challenge the

Trade

If you have significant work experience in a trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may apply to challenge the certification. Learn more about How to Challenge a Skilled Trade.

OR

If you sponsor apprentices but have never been certified in Canada, you may request to supervise and sign-off apprentices when they are ready to be certified. Please refer to the application form on whether this trade qualifies.

  • Active listening  
  • Plant and tree identification 
  • Plant and tree treatment  
  • Falling, limbing, pruning and bucking  
  • Climbing equipment use 
Certification challenge only trade
1

To get certified, you will need to sign up for technical training at an approved training provider in addition to on-the-job training. 

Visit Trades Training BC and EducationPlannerBC for a comprehensive list of what programs are available in your trade at public and non-public schools. 

Arborist Technician

Arborist

Technician

forest of trees with mountainous background in bc
Construction Other
17-30
AdventurousAthleticCurious
  • How to identify different types of plants and trees 
  • How to treat injured and diseased plants and trees  
  • How to fall, limb and buck trees 
  • How to prune and perform other work on trees from the ground 
  • How to chip brush, cut wood and clean up after tree care operations 

Arborist Technicians are adventurous and curious individuals, whose deep appreciation for trees, love of physical activity, and visual way of working create the beautiful communities we all enjoy. 

As an Arborist Technician, you’re skilled in all aspects of tree care, including identifying plants and examining and diagnosing pests and diseases.  

You enjoy working in an outdoor setting, and have an approach that spurs you to interact with your surroundings. You use your knowledge to assess the health and structure of a tree, determine its needs and identify appropriate treatments.  

8.00
1.00
Training Hours
1600
False

Program Information

AND RESOURCES

Note: Arborist Technician must be taken before Climbing Arborist.   

Exam Information

AND RESOURCES

Certificate of Qualification Exam

 

Updates:

  • None

Information:

Challenge the

Trade

If you have significant work experience in a trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may apply to challenge the certification. Learn more about How to Challenge a Skilled Trade.

OR

If you sponsor apprentices but have never been certified in Canada, you may request to supervise and sign-off apprentices when they are ready to be certified. Please refer to the application form on whether this trade qualifies.

  • Active listening  
  • Plant and tree identification 
  • Plant and tree treatment  
  • Falling, limbing and bucking  
  • Pruning and other groundwork 
Certification challenge only trade
1

To get certified, you will need to sign up for technical training at an approved training provider in addition to on-the-job training. 

Visit Trades Training BC and EducationPlannerBC for a comprehensive list of what programs are available in your trade at public and non-public schools. 

Utility Arborist

Utility

Arborist

Arborist cutting tree
Other
21-35
AdventurousAthleticCuriousVisual
  • How to identify and apply regulations 
  • How to use aerial lifts, chippers, and chainsaws 
  • How to assess, identify and prune trees 
  • How to fall and buck 
  • How to use rigging and climbing gear 

Utility Arborists step in and clear vegetation from electrical equipment and structures, ensuring the continued and safe flow of power to our homes and communities. 

As a Utility Arborist, you’ll find the balance between physical, adventurous and nimble work with the need to be extra careful.  

You’ll clear trees and plants away from electrical equipment, including power lines, whether because of natural growth or storms. Your work will require a solid grounding in the use of arborist equipment and an excellent understanding of safety regulations. 

8.00
2.00
Training Hours
2378
False

Program Updates

None.

 

Program Information

and resources

Program Profile

Occupational Description

Utility Arborists undertake any work required to prune or clear vegetation in proximity to energized electrical equipment, structures and conductors. They also prune, fall or remove trees which could come into close contact (three metres or less) with energized power lines. Only certified Utility Arborists and Utility Arborist apprentices are permitted to perform tree pruning or falling work in proximity* to energized power lines in British Columbia. The Utility Arborist challenge pathway is only open to challengers who have trade-related work experience from outside of B.C. 

*proximity is defined as a distance of three meters or less from a primary conductor with a voltage of 750 volts or greater. 

View Program Profile

Exam Information

And Resources

Find exam-related information and resources under each menu item below.

Information:

Information:

Challenge the

Trade

If you have significant work experience in a trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may apply to challenge the certification. Learn more about How to Challenge a Skilled Trade.

OR

If you sponsor apprentices but have never been certified in Canada, you may request to supervise and sign-off apprentices when they are ready to be certified. Please refer to the application form on whether this trade qualifies.

  • Coordination  
  • Critical thinking 
  • Equipment operation 
  • Tree and plant pruning, falling, and limbing 
  • Site inspections 
Certification challenge only trade
1

To get certified, you will need to sign up for technical training at an approved training provider in addition to on-the-job training. 

Visit Trades Training BC and EducationPlannerBC for a comprehensive list of what programs are available in your trade at public and non-public schools. 

For a list of all approved non-public training providers, visit this page.

 

Proximity Verification Form

Work-Based Training Proximity Verification Declaration

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