Botanist Certification helps ensure that the most qualified people conduct California’s environmental reviews and that our decision-makers have the information they need to make sound land-use decisions.

California Botanist Certification Exam

June 24, 2021
Ventura, CA

Early-bird pricing until noon June 10, increases by $100 after.
$250 Certified Field Botanist Exam
$350 Certified Consulting Botanist Exam
$115 retake of exam (if you have taken before)

Capacity: 20 participants

All participants will be required to wear masks indoors. We will be spacing tables out widely so there are 6 feet between each seat,  we will limit the number of people in each room based on the ability to space everyone.  Hand sanitizing supplies will be on-site and every participant is expected to wash their hands upon entering and leaving each room. We will closely follow Ventura County’s health guidelines.

Registration closed

Objectives

Target Audience: Professional field and consulting botanists

The Field Botanist is competent in identifying native and naturalized plants found in California, and is able to use appropriate field survey methods and protocols that satisfy documentation and assessment requirements.  They can identify the dominant and characteristic plants that compose the California flora and know how to identify those native and naturalized species that they may not be able to identify on sight. They have a good grasp of botanical terminology and know how to conduct field surveys and map plant occurrences and populations that are necessary for laboratory analyses and/or impact assessments.  They can also monitor plant populations during and after construction, and perform monitoring of mitigation implementation (during and afterwards). The Certified Field Botanist knows how to characterize the botanical resources of a site and record their findings.

The Certified Consulting Botanist has satisfied all requirements of a Field Botanist, as well as demonstrated competence in document preparation, such as: describing baseline conditions of a study/project area, critically analyzing project-related impacts to botanical resources, developing feasible mitigation measures to avoid or compensate for identified impacts, and demonstrating a clear understanding of environmental laws and regulations pertaining to plants.  They know how to research environmental policies and regulations that apply to a variety of projects and how to document the existing conditions of a project site or study area. The Certified Consulting Botanist knows how to assess project-related impacts to the botanical resources of the site and whether those impacts are considered signification pursuant to environmental regulations, whether they be federal, state, or local. They also can develop feasible mitigation measures to reduce any significant impacts to less-than-significant levels, and are adept at assisting clients through the environmental permitting process, at least as far as the botanical resources are concerned.

Learn how to prepare for the exam here with our study guide and plant list.

Schedule & Locale

Exam Schedule: June 24, 2021

Meet at the Casitas Springs Community Center in Ventura, CA

All participants will be required to wear masks indoors. We will be spacing tables out widely so there are 6 feet between each seat,  we will limit the number of people in each room based on the ability to space everyone.  Hand sanitizing supplies will be on-site and every participant is expected to wash their hands upon entering and leaving each room. We will closely follow Ventura County’s health guidelines.

8:15 – 8:30 am
Registration/Sign-in – Rules for taking exams

8:30 – 10 am

EXAM 3 – Field Botanist – 100 Multiple Choice/True-False questions – no test aides allowed

10 – 10:15 am
Break

10:15 am – 12:15 pm

EXAM 2 – Identification by Keying
5 plants will be provided that must be identified using dichotomous keys from The Jepson Manual.  Bring a headlamp to ensure sufficient lighting.  Basic dissecting scopes will be provided.

12:15 – 1:15 pm
Lunch (Please bring your own packed lunch and water)

1:15 – 2:45 pm
EXAM 1 – Sight Identification of 100 Plants
Genus 1 point
Species 1 point (or if to Genus only, then 2 points)
Correct spelling not required, but must be reasonably recognizable, old names OK
Some Genus only, limited to 20% (20 taxa)
Subset can include photographs and/or pressed specimens (20%)

2:45 – 3pm
Break, those taking just the Certified Field Botanist Exam are dismissed

3-5pm
EXAM 4 – Consulting Botanist – 200 Multiple Choice/True-False questions

 

Notes:  Passing score for each exam is 75%.  Applicant must achieve a passing score on each exam in order to become certified.  Failure to pass any one part is considered a failure to become eligible for certification.

After scores and test questions are analyzed, test results will be sent to each registrant, pass/fail, with test scores provided.  Those passing will be requested to submit their annual maintenance fee and a signed copy of the Code of Ethics, after which they will be presented a certificate and certification number.

Materials & Requirements

Please bring...

  • Clipboard, pen/pencil
  • Headlamp, 10X hand lens, Metric ruler, Jepson Manual (2nd Ed)
  • Dissecting tools (probe, tweezers, razor blade)
  • Plenty of water, lunch and snacks

Physical Requirements: Participants will primarily standing for the first exam. Please let Elizabeth, ekubey@cnps.org, know if you need accommodations.

Registration

Registration is closed for the June exam. Before registering, please review our full exam cancellation policy, participant expectations, and COVID precaution requirements below. The last day to cancel your registration for this workshop and receive any refund (less the cancellation fee) is June 10, 2021. For other ways to register, please see our full registration & payment policy.

All participants will be required to wear masks indoors. We will be spacing tables out widely so there are 6 feet between each seat,  we will limit the number of people in each room based on the ability to space everyone.  Hand sanitizing supplies will be on-site and every participant is expected to wash their hands upon entering and leaving each room. We will closely follow Ventura County’s health guidelines.