Details released on NJ landscape licensing proposal
27 Nov, 2008 LM Direct!TRENTON, NJ — If you're a landscape contractor in New Jersey, you may soon have to convince the state that you're of good moral character to become a state “licensed landscape contractor.” That is if a landscape contractor licensing bill being proposed by State Senator Nicholas Scutari becomes law.
The proposal has been floating around the state capital for at least three years, but Scutari finally introduced the legislation last month that, if passed, would create a multi-tiered advisory panel, having authorization over licensing, revoking, fining and, yes, even assessing a landscaper's moral quality before issuing a license.
To get a license under the proposal an applicant must:
• be at least 18
• be of good moral character
• receive at least 90 hoursof classroom instruction from an accredited institution in landscape-related curricul and four or more years experience
• have an associate's degree in related field and no less than three years of experience
• bachelor's degree in related field and no less than two years of experience
• be certified as nursery landscape professional or landscape technician and no less than four years experience
• be a Master Gardener from Rutgers with no less than four years experience
• be assessed by a 15-member panel, which will determine qualifications and moral character
• take an exam assessing knowledge and ability in the field
• pay a license fee every two years for renewal
• take courses deemed necessary by the board in order to renew
“Your landscaper could cost more,” The South Bergenite, Nov. 26
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