About Us
The Association of Professional Landscape Designers, APLD, is an international non-profit organization dedicated to establishing the highest standards for the landscape design profession. The Washington state chapter, APLDWA, represents APLD members throughout Washington state. Our chapter formed in 2000, making it the oldest chapter in the United States. APLDWA actively pursues the goals of the international organization. Click here to join.
Member Benefits
National Certification
- APLD’s certification program—the only landscape design certification program in the United States—offers professional recognition to landscape designers based on established standards of excellence.
Professional Growth
- Monthly events.
- Educational webinars.
- APLD’s quarterly magazine, The Designer.
- National and chapter newsletters.
- Discounted fee for APLD’s International Landscape Design Conference.
- Eligibility to compete for APLD’s International Landscape Design Awards.
Networking
- Members-only Yahoo group—a great resource for exploring topics of interest.
- Participation in sponsored year-round events.
Business & Legislative Advocacy
- Sample proposals, contracts and documents, customized for individual businesses.
- Advocacy—includes monitoring and updating members on pertinent national legislative and regulatory changes, including right-to-practice issues.
- The state chapter informs members about local issues, such as the Green Factor, Stormwater Management Codes and Low-Impact-Development (LID) methods of practice.
Professional Visibility
- Professional member listing in the Find a Designer directory.
- Individual member/company page on both national and chapter websites.
- Recognition of member accomplishments, such as NWFGS participation, awards, activities and publications.
- Use of APLD logo on website and print material.
- Certified members are permitted to add “APLD” after their names.
Dues
Membership in the Washington chapter is $35 a year (students, $20 a year) in addition to the national fee, which varies depending on the membership category.
Find out more about APLD membership and to download an application
Certification
APLD’s certification program confers professional recognition to landscape designers based on established standards of excellence. Currently, 20 percent of APLD members are certified. Certification is available for Professional members in good standing who have been practicing landscape design for at least four years. APLD offers the only landscape design certification program in the United States.
The certification review process, overseen by the APLD certification committee, evaluates a candidate’s submitted work, consisting of three installed projects. For each project, the designer submits drawings, a plant list, a design intent statement and photographs.
To maintain certification, Certified Professional Members must continue to develop their skills. During each three-year period, APLD requires certified designers to submit proof of the completion of 30 hours of approved continuing education credits (CEUs).
The APLD Certification Review Panel convenes four times a year to review applications for Certified Professional Membership. The current review schedule is January, March, August and November. Applications are due by the first of the month.
For more information click here.
Why Be Certified?
APLD certification is an important credential that reinforces one’s professional status in the landscape design industry. The more professional landscape designers there are who gain certification, the more professional the industry—and APLD members—will be perceived by the public. Certification is an achievement, an honor and a way for experienced designers to distinguish themselves in a crowded field.
Helpful Documents:
About APLD
