Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next Red Seal Inter-Provincial Exam preparation workshop?

Horteducation.ca has made the Red Seal Inter-Provincial Exam preparation workshop available in video format to view anytime you are ready to start your exam preparations. You can purchase the manual and practice exam referred to in the video in our online store. Once it arrives by mail, you can begin the workshop any time you are ready. Visit the Red Seal InterProvincial Exam Preparation Manual and Workshop page for more information and access.

Are there study resources for the Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist InterProvincial Exam?

Yes, visit Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist InterProvincial Exam Study Resources

Are there study resources for Apprentices?

Yes, apprentices can find study links at Apprentice Resources for Technical Training & Exams

Does HEBC do work placement?

HortEducation.ca no longer helps apprentices and employers to connect with one another with job listing and job application through the HortEducation.ca website. Please view our Job Listings page for more information and to view archives job listings as a career exploration tool.

WorkBC provides Apprentice Job Match and career exploration information for

Other sites you can look for job postings for work in the horticulture industry are:

What is an Organization ID # and ITA Individual ID #?

An Organization ID number is your Sponsor ID number, and an ITA Individual ID number is the Individual ID number assigned to you by the ITA when you applied for Supervision and Sign-Off Authority or gained your Certificate of Qualification.

For more information click here on becoming a sponsor and applying for Sign-Off Authority or to Challenge the exam.

Do I have to register at a training school?

Yes, you do. Click here for a list of training institutions.  For detailed information on the entire registration process go to the ‘Apprentice Info’ page, then choose the appropriate program.

What is Red Seal?

“The Red Seal program represents industry’s recognition of an Interprovincial standard of excellence for the skilled trades. Through the program, apprentices who have completed their training and become certified journeypersons are able to obtain a Red Seal endorsement on their provincial or territorial Certificates of Qualification and Apprenticeship by successfully completing an Interprovincial Red Seal examination.”

Click here for more information on the Red Seal program.

The Red Seal Landscape Horticulturalist Certification is currently being Harmonized nationally Follow our news or Facebook page for updates on the status of Harmonization for the Red Seal for Landscape Horticulture. Harmonization for Landscape Horticulture will be implemented September 2018.

Do I need a sponsor?

Yes, you need a sponsor. Your sponsor will mentor you and sign off on all your documentation. They need to either be a Certified Tradesperson or have Sign-Off Authority.

What if I do not have a sponsor?

HortEducationBC can sponsor new and existing apprentices temporarily for the technical training (school) portion of your apprenticeship.

New Apprentices:

HortEducationBC can be your temporary sponsor for the technical training portion of your first year of education. After completing Level 1 technical training, Apprentices sponsored by “HortEducationBC” go on to find a job with an employer who can sponsor their workplace experience portion of their apprenticeship. HortEducation.ca helps apprentices with finding paid employment with employer sponsors through our job board.

Using HortEducationBC as a sponsor enables those new to the industry to begin an apprenticeship with technical training. This enables those with no experience to gain some knowledge and hands on experience at school. Technical training in school provides both knowledge based skills in a classroom setting, and hands on practical skills in lab or field lab settings.

Existing Apprentices:

Apprentices may also find themselves without a sponsor because they are between jobs or any number of reasons, but wish to do a level of technical training before finding a new sponsor employer.

If you have an employer who does not have Sign-Off Authority, please contact us before initiating sponsorship with HEBC. We may be able to help them obtain Sign-Off Authority so they can act as your sponsor.

How do I register for Apprenticeship?

For detailed information on how to register for your chosen Apprenticeship program, visit the ‘Apprentice Info’ page, then chose the appropriate program.

Should I be working in the industry before applying for the apprenticeship program?

Yes, we highly recommend that you try out the industry before committing to a program. This way you will know what is expected of you and what a day as a landscape horticulturist or an arborist really looks like, to be sure that this is the best career path for you.

How many hours do I need to write the Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist Challenge Exam?

You need 7,920 proven work based hours performing the tasks listed in Section D of the ITA Employer or Statutory Declaration form for the Landscape Horticulturist trade. Visit the Challenge Exam page for detailed information on the Challenge Exam process for Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist.

How many hours do I need to write the Arborist Technician Challenge Exam?

You need 2,400 proven work based hours performing the tasks listed in Section D of the ITA Employer or Statutory Declaration form for the Arborist Technician trade. Visit the Challenge Exam page for detailed information on the Challenge Exam process for Arborist Technician.

How many hours do I need to write the Climbing Arborist Challenge Exam?

You need 2,700 climbing proven work based hours performing the tasks listed in Section E of the ITA Employer or Statutory Declaration form for the Arborist Technician trade. Visit the Challenge Exam page for detailed information on the Challenge Exam process for Climbing Arborist.