Many of the things we ought to do are hard, but measuring up to a challenge that builds character is very satisfying and makes up better people. Certification falls into this category. These tests are hard. The hours required to prepare for the exam and the hours necessary to complete the test are hard to come by. Finding the discipline to sit down to study after a long day is hard. A NCCTP candidate puts in a hard six-hour day just in taking the test. But, one the test has been taken, the real challenge begins for many of the candidates...because they don't always pass.

It is disappointing and discouraging to get a letter that says you fell short and need to try again. What do you do in that situation? It is easy to tell yourself you are just as good at what you do as any person who holds a NCCTP designation. It is easy to blame the test or the judges as being unfair instead of admitting that you needed to prepare better or to pay more attention to safety issues. It is, however, a credit to the caliber of the people involved in the green industry that most candidates will try again until they succeed.

Ultimately, success or failure comes down to the individual candidate. Will he or she do what it takes, study more, try again, overcome the adversity? Although we celebrate all the additions to the certification roster, those people who had to try again (and again) and finally did it earn an extra measure of our respect. That achievement speaks volumes about character, mental toughness, and perseverance, and we salute those who demonstrate these qualities.

If the tests were easy, everybody would be certified, and the achievement wouldn't mean nearly as much. Certification implies more about a person than that he or she can pass an exam on a given day. If you passed the test the first time out, "Good job!" If you passed the test the second or third time you tried, feel very proud of yourself. If you need to try again, I hope that you will, if only to prove to yourself that you can do it.

Did you realize that marketing your certification status can help you stand out even more from the competition? We all have competition. Educating those you work for about the advantages of using a company that has Certified Turfgrass Professionals on staff, you begin to raise the market value in your area. As expectations rise, they will begin to consider only those people or teams that are certified. In addition, performance will improve through the professionalism and knowledge gained by staff members who pursue and attain NCCTP certification.

So You're Certified...Now What?!

You have taken the time to invest in your future in the turfgrass profession - you have studied, perhaps you have crammed, and finally you have passed your certification test. You are certified! Now what? What is the certification going to mean for your future, your company's future, and the future of your industry? It's time now to market your professionalism and the professionalism of the green industry, and here are some ways to do that.

 Start by proudly hanging your certification certificate where others can see it. This lets your coworkers know that you are "in-the-know" - that is, that you have studied and learned all of the material necessary to become a certified professional. Answer their questions about what certification means for you personally and for the company as a whole.

 Sew your certified patches on your uniform shirts to wear at work or when visiting clients, etc. Proudly let them know that you are a "certified" professional.

 Use the "NCCTP" designation after your name on letters, proposals, and other written materials. When asked about the designation, be prepared to tell the certification story. In addition, include the certification story in your company brochure under "qualifications".

 Use the certification logo on brochures, in yellow page ads, on letterhead, on your web site, etc.
" Use the certification logo decals on your trucks and proudly display the certification logo on all of your equipment.

These are just a few ways to put TCNC certification to work for you, your business, and your industry. Only you and other certified people like yourself can make certification a valuable and recognized force in the green industry.

TCNC wants to help spread the work to all those who are unfamiliar with what being a certified professional can mean. Tell us how you have promoted your certification in your marketing efforts, and we will post your certification marketing efforts, and we will post your certification marketing tips in upcoming issues. Don't delay! Send your tips right now - while you are thinking about it - to admin@ncturfgrass.org.

Many thanks for your help and good luck in your marketing efforts!

Enrollment & Maintenance Requirements
(Updated June 2004)

Program Operation & Administration - The TCNC Certified Turfgrass Professional Program is owned and operated by the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina, Inc. and administered through it's appointed Certification Committee and Board of Inquiry & Arbitration.

1. Apply for Enrollment:
Complete and submit official enrollment form with all attachments/documentation.

Document minimum of having held one year individual TCNC membership (or proof of one year's employment under a Deluxe Member company) plus renewal as a non-student.

Document turfgrass management job experience of at least twelve consecutive months.

Non-members document turfgrass management job experience for at least twenty-four consecutive months.

Document current status of North Carolina Pesticide Applicator License for Turf and Ornamentals  (or equivalent from another reciprocal state) and any violations (none allowed).

2. Pay fee/submit coupon with enrollment application:
Upon approval, receive curriculum self-study materials.

3. Take written examination:
Must pay exam fee (for each exam) and 1st take exam within six months of receipt of curriculum materials at an official group testing site or, upon approval, at the next available official group testing site after that.

Designate which Official Group Testing Site you plan to attend on the enrollment application.

30 days before that event, confirm and reserve your space at the chosen site.

A maximum of six hours is allowed for completion of the exam, not including a mandatary one hour lunch break. Lunch is on your own. Suggested lunch locations will be reviewed by the monitor at the beginning of the day.

The actual exam consists of one section for each section within the curriculum. Sections are scored individually. A passing score of at least 80 on all sections is required for graduation. A graduation certificate is then issued.

4. Retesting for failed sections:
The exam section(s) for any failed section(s) (on which a score of less than 80 is made) must be retaken within six months of the initial exam at the next available Testing Site.

A retesting time limit equivalent to one hour per failed section will apply.

After the initial examination, a maximum of two retests is allowed, each within six months of the previous one.

If the maximum number of retests is unsuccessfully exhausted, applicant's fee is forfeited and applicant must wait a minimum of two years from the last retesting before reapplying.

5. Maintaining Certified Status:
Maintain annual NCCTP renewal and individual TCNC membership continuously and in good standing; or document other equivalent active industry involvement annually.

Maintain a current North Carolina Pesticide Applicator's License (or other state's equivalent) Sub-Class L, Turf & Ornamental.

Earn approved North Carolina (or NC equivalent) pesticide license recertification credits at the minimum rate of twenty credits per five year period; credits must be earned in at least three of the five years.

Document current pesticide license status by sending copy of most recent Department of Agriculture license renewal statement (showing recertification credits earned) to TCNC annually within 30 days of it's issuance.

Document to TCNC any pesticide license violation citation activity with copies of pertinent information and explanation immediately upon occurrence.

Subscribe to, actively support and uphold the TCNC Certification Code of Ethics.

Complete additional future requirements in a timely manner: Additional revised or new curriculum materials, testing and fee may be required whenever new technology, science, management practices and the like are determined to be of sufficient importance.

6. Use of the Program Logo and Other Identification:
The official Logo is the property of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina and is protected as a registered Service Mark under North Carolina General Statutes. Unauthorized use may be subject to applicable civil and/or criminal penalties.

Certification Graduates in good standing are authorized to use the program logo in accordance with the TCNC Certification Code of Ethics, so long as such use is accompanied by the graduate's individual TCNC registration number clearly visible and placed in the clear area of the lower left hand quarter. The registered Service Mark designation must also be clearly shown at the lower right of the logo.

The official name of the program is Turfgrass Council of North Carolina Certified Turfgrass Professional. All uses of the program name and/or logo must be in it's entirety.

The official abbreviation of the program name is TNC CTP. All uses of the abbreviation must be in it's entirety.

7. Program Supervision & Enforcement Options:
Program supervision and administration is by the TNC Certification Committee under the direction of the TNC Board of Directors. In order to insure proper compliance with the program and to afford the program's maximum internal and external credibility, a four person Board of Inquiry & Arbitration is appointed by the TNC President. Two members are from the first graduating class, one NCSU Turfgrass Faculty person, and one CNC Director.

Consideration may be given to setting up two such groups - one in the east, one in the west - in consideration of potential travel distances and timely resolution of internal or external matters requiring mediation.

8. Internal & External Promotion:
In order to attain maximum exposure and participation within the industry, TNC will promote the program to members and to the public in print and display mediums throughout the year.

Self promotion of the program by graduates is required in order to attain the highest possible level of public appreciation for the program's significance and merit. In addition to the mounted Graduation Certificate, various logo materials will be available to graduates for this purpose, including: