What Alabama license do I need to install plant materials for a fee?
Setting of Landscape Plants (SLP)
Tiller preparing soil.
Is the Setting of Landscape Plants (SLP) License what I need in Alabama?
The Setting of Landscape Plants License is required by the State of Alabama Law of those individuals who will be installing plants materials for a fee. A landscape planter is a person who engages in actually setting of landscape plants. Such a person shall have adequate knowledge and ability to perform cultural, pruning, and other practices necessary to establish and maintain landscape plants.
Who regulates landscape plant installation in Alabama?
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is the regulatory agency charged with enforcing the state laws for plant installation for a fee.
What is actually regulated under state law for SLP?
If you are installing plant material for a fee in Alabama, then you are regulated by the ADAI and subject to complying with state law. Plant materials range from annuals to perennials, herbaceous to woody plants, and turfgrasses with all sizes covered from cell pack and larger to containerized plant materials and field grown plant materials including sod.
What steps do I need to complete to be a legal plant installer in Alabama?
- Obtain study materials for the Setting of Landscape Plants State Exam (attached to this article).
- Actively study the attached manual.
- (Optional) - Attend an exam study / preparation class offered by Alabama Extension - Alabama Green Industry Training Center, Inc. See class description (https://www.agitc.org/classes/class-descriptions/setting-of-landscape-plants-review/) and class schedule (https://www.agitc.org/classes/course-registration-links/).
ACES Logo and AGITC Logo
- Decide exam format you would like to take:
- If you would like to take the exam on paper (given on the 3rd Tuesday in March, June, September, & December each year in Montgomery, AL only) - go to paper exam schedule here (http://agi.alabama.gov/docs/default-source/pesticde-management/certification-testing/professional-services-exam-schedule.pdf?sfvrsn=24 ) and the application form here ( http://agi.alabama.gov/docs/default-source/pesticde-management/certification-testing/professional-services-exam-application.pdf?sfvrsn=16). Cost is $75.00 per exam.
- If you would like to take the exam as a computerized proctored test at a testing center (approximately 11 locations around the state with exams given multiple days per week). To schedule exam, go to the following link, create an account, input your contact information & work experience, and submit at: https://www.metrosignup.com/Alabama/. ADAI will review your information and decide on your exam approval. Once approved, they will contact you via email, and you will log back in to schedule exam by choosing your exam location and provide payment for exam. Computer based exam cost is $125.00 per exam and you will have an instant grade once you complete the exam. Exam dates are scheduled with the test center with a 48 hour minimum advance notice.
- You passed your exam....Awesome!! For SLP, the credential does not require recertification points, but you still need to purchase 2 yearly documents. Move to item 6 below.
- Purchase your Professional Services License. If you did not receive application after exam, it can be found at: http://agi.alabama.gov/docs/default-source/pesticde-management/professional-services/license-application-(horticultural).pdf?sfvrsn=0. This license is $175.00 per year with year cycle of October 1 through September 30 each year. This license is not pro-rated for partial years.
- Purchase your Nursery Dealer License. if you did not receive application after exam, it can be found at: http://agi.alabama.gov/docs/default-source/plant-applications/dealer/nurserydealerapplication2020. This license is $20.00 per year with year cycle of October 1 through September 30 each year. This license is not pro-rated for partial years.
- Now, you are legal to install plant material at the state level, but be sure to purchase your other licenses issued by the county for Alabama Department of Revenue and municipalities for business licenses in your service areas where you are working.