How to Earn Continuing Education Points as an ICN Pro
Annual re-certification of your ICN Pro designation is based on the accumulation of continuing education points and remittance of the required annual fee. Each November, you will be asked to submit your renewal form, certifying that you earned the required CE points, along with the $30 fee to the IGIA office. Upon receiving this information, IGIA staff will renew your designation. The ICN Pro designation is renewed on a calendar year basis, expiring December 31 annually.
Record Keeping
You are responsible for keeping track of your points. Suitable documentation should be submitted with this form (i.e. name badge from event, copy of registration form, program booklet, etc.). Do not send materials prior to annual re-certification time.
Continuing Education (CE) Points
Four (4) points are required annually. At least two (2) must be obtained through educational horticulture-related programs. If you are unable to get your points, you may obtain re-certification by re-taking and passing the ICN Pro test. Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
| Example Activity |
Points Earned |
Details |
|
Attend a Green Industry Educational
Program
|
½ point per
1/2-day session
|
Any professional horticulture-related
program
|
| Take a College Course |
1 point per
semester hour
|
Must be in horticulture field |
| Attend IGIA-hosted Education Event |
1 point per day
attended
|
Any professional horticulture-related
program |
Participate in a green industry webinar or
online education session |
1/4 point per one
hour session |
Any professional horticulture-related
program |
| Attend Non-IGIA Trade Show/Field Day |
½ point per day |
Maximum of 1 point per event |
|
Write an article for Trending Green,
IllinoisGreen.net, GardenIllinois.com,
Landscape Contractor or other
industry publication
|
1 point
per article
|
Must be a minimum of 300 words |
| Speak at an Industry Event |
1 point |
Could include in-store seminar, radio or
TV program, podcast, etc. |
| Be an ICN Pro Mentor |
2 points |
Tutor a colleague as they prepare
for the ICN exam |
| Help IGIA Staff Administer ICN Pro Exam |
1 point |
|
| Engage in IGIA Committee Work |
1 point |
1 point per year per committee |
| Refer a Candidate to ICN Pro Program |
1 point |
Upon successful completion of exam |
IMPORTANT NOTE: One of your four points must come from an IGIA (Illinois Green Industry Association) related event or activity.
|
