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Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Roadside Vegetation Management

Registration for 2025 will open in November.

Certified Landscape Specialist Training

Certification/recertification courses

MnDOT Standard Specifications for Plant Installation (2571) requires landscape contractors performing work in MnDOT right of way have a Certified Landscape Specialist on the project site at all times to perform or directly supervise plant installation and establishment. Other government agencies may also require this certification. It is recommended that MnDOT and other agency or consultant inspectors  become Certified Landscape Specialists when assigned landscape construction projects to help assure compliance of Spec 2571. Certification is achieved by participating in MnDOT classes and successfully passing MnDOT’s certification exam.  Certification is valid for three years.

2025 MnDOT Certified Landscape Specialist Training Classes

New certification

For those seeking to be certified for the first time, it is required to attend an in-person class. Upon completion of the class, participants must successfully pass an online exam to achieve a three-year certification.

Landscape Specialists who currently have one-year provisional licenses will need to attend an in-person class and successfully pass the exam in 2025 to receive a non-provisional three-year Landscape Specialist Certification. The cost for a new certification is $40.

Class dates

  • Jan. 23, 2025: Shoreview Training Center, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., lunch included
  • Feb. 5, 2025: St. Cloud Training Center, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., lunch included
  • March 5, 2025: Shoreview Training Center, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., lunch included

Recertification

Those seeking to renew their certification may attend an in-person class or complete the series of E-learning modules and successfully pass an online exam. Recertification is for three years. The cost is $40.  

Provisional certifications

For those currently holding provisional certificates, attending one of the in person classes in 2025 is require to obtain the 3 year certification. Provisional certifications can not be renewed through the E-learning option.

If you are in need of a provisional license to complete work in the fall of 2024, please contact Michelle for more details.

Registration

Registration will open in November for the 2025 classes. Please check back for more details.

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