In almost every skilled profession, there’s a moment when experience alone isn’t enough. When a credential — earned through study, tested through examination, and recognized by an industry — becomes the clearest signal that a professional is serious about their craft.

In West Virginia’s green industry, that credential is the Certified Professional Horticulturist. And for the professionals who hold it, the CPH isn’t just a certificate on a wall. It’s a statement about who they are and how they work.

This month, WVNLA is taking a closer look at what professional certification means for our industry — where the program came from, why it matters, and how some of our members are building it into the very culture of their businesses.

“It signals a commitment to the industry and to quality work.” — James Dillon, Native Havens, Kearneysville

THE HISTORY

Where the CPH Program Came From

The Certified Professional Horticulturist program didn’t appear overnight. It was built — deliberately, carefully, and with a clear purpose — by people who understood that a stronger profession begins with a recognized standard.

The program’s origins trace back to the early 1990s, when WVNLA president Aaron Helmick asked John Jett to explore the development of a certification program for the association. Jett reached out to Carville Akehurst, executive director of the Maryland Nurserymen’s Association, who shared guidance, materials, and insights from their established program. Using those resources as a foundation, West Virginia’s CPH program was developed — including its training manual, testing structure, and administrative procedures.

“From the outset, the goal was to strengthen the professionalism of our industry by providing employees with meaningful training and a recognized standard of knowledge.” — John Jett, WVNLA’s CPH Program developer

The intent was straightforward: give employees a path to feel more confident and capable in their roles, while giving employers a reliable way to develop and recognize skilled staff. Decades later, that original vision holds. The CPH has become both a workforce development tool and a marketing asset — a way for member businesses to demonstrate their commitment to quality in a tangible, credentialed way.

“In my view, the program has fulfilled its original intent — supporting both workforce development and the overall advancement of the green industry in West Virginia,” Jett said.

THE CREDENTIAL

What Is the Certified Professional Horticulturist?

The CPH is WVNLA’s professional certification program and the only certification of its kind currently offered by the association. Rooted in horticulture and plant science, the CPH establishes and recognizes a high standard of knowledge among green industry professionals in West Virginia.

To earn the credential, candidates must demonstrate a combination of education and relevant experience, then pass a rigorous written examination. The CPH exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions drawn from the CPH study manual, plus 25 plant identifications — testing both theoretical plant knowledge and the practical ability to identify the species central to our industry’s work.

CPH AT A GLANCE

Exam: 100 multiple-choice questions + 25 plant identifications
Study Manual: $60 for WVNLA members / $100 for non-members
Exam Fee: $25
Next Exam: August 12 at Glade Springs Resort, Daniels, WV
More info: wvnla.org

WHY IT MATTERS

A Signal That Goes Beyond the Individual

Professional certifications serve a function that goes beyond the person who earns them. They create a shared language between professionals and employers, between businesses and their clients, and between an industry and the public it serves.

When a green industry professional holds a CPH, they’re communicating something specific: that they have invested in their own education, been tested against an established standard, and taken their profession seriously enough to prove it. In an industry where the barrier to entry can be low, that distinction matters more than it might first appear.

For employers, a CPH credential reduces uncertainty in the hiring process. For clients, it provides confidence that the professional working on their property has demonstrated knowledge — not just experience. And for the industry as a whole, a higher concentration of certified professionals raises the standard of work being done across West Virginia.

“I don’t think you can overstate the importance of education, and certification is a great path toward building a professional culture.” — Matt Davis, Co-Owner, Mary’s Greenhouse and Terra Flora Landscaping

WVNLA MEMBERS IN PRACTICE

Building a Culture of Certification

For some WVNLA members, professional certification isn’t just an individual achievement — it’s a business strategy and a team-wide standard.

At Native Havens, an ecological landscape design company in Kearneysville, half of the company’s eight employees hold CPH credentials. Founder James Dillon says the credential serves as a clear, measurable benchmark for professional growth — and a pathway to greater responsibility and compensation within the company. Native Havens features its certified employees on its website and highlights their continuing education in its annual client newsletter, using the CPH as a visible marker of the company’s commitment to quality.

“Having certified employees has been the single most important factor in establishing legitimacy and commitment to quality.” — James Dillon, Native Havens

In Elkins, Larry Gouer and Matt Davis — co-owners of Mary’s Greenhouse and Terra Flora Landscaping — have built the same culture of encouragement around the CPH. Four of their employees have taken up the challenge, studying for and sitting the exam, with the knowledge gained benefiting both their professional development and the clients they serve.

“I don’t think you can overstate the importance of education,” Matt said, “and certification is a great path toward building a professional culture.”

These businesses represent something important: the CPH works best not as a solo achievement, but as part of a broader commitment to building teams that know their craft. When employers champion the credential — supporting study, recognizing achievement, and building certification into career development — the whole industry benefits.

GET CERTIFIED

Ready to Take the Next Step?

The next CPH exam will be administered on August 12 at Glade Springs Resort in Daniels, West Virginia. Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to formalize your expertise, or an emerging professional ready to set yourself apart, the CPH is your opportunity to demonstrate what you know — and what you’re committed to.

The study manual is available for $60 for WVNLA members and $100 for non-members. The exam fee is $25. For full details on eligibility, study materials, and registration, visit wvnla.org.

West Virginia’s green industry has been investing in professional standards since the early 1990s. The CPH is how that investment pays off — one certified professional at a time.

Learn more and register at wvnla.org