Nursery Technician Program Map

This Nursery Technician certificate provides students with the practical, hands-on experience they need to pursue employment in the areas of plant production, maintenance, or sales of ornamental and/or food crops in California. This program prepares students to advance to management positions in greenhouse and nursery businesses that propagate, grow and market plants for use in the home, business or the landscape. The program provides a solid foundation in plant knowledge and nursery and garden center environments, as well as computer applications and management skills.

Program detailsAward, code, department, CIP/TOP

Community of interest: ITAG Industrial Technologies & Agriculture
Award: Certificate of Achievement
Program code: 07257.01CA
Department: Environmental Hort
CIP code: 01.0608: Floriculture/Floristry Operations and Management.
TOP code: 0109.20 - Floriculture / Floristry*

Map Class Schedule

Program Schedule Report Meet with a counselor

Nursery Technician

Certificate of Achievement

A career-aligned credential built around a specific field of study or area of emphasis. Faster to complete than a degree, and the coursework typically stacks into a related AS or AA later if you choose to continue.

See the 2025-26 Catalog for official program details

Semester-by-Semester Map

Term 1

Class Schedules

12 units

EH 20

Introduction to Environmental Horticulture

3 units

This course is an introduction to environmental horticulture including nursery operations, landscaping, turf management and arboriculture. Topics include basic botany, cultural practices, propagation, structures and layout, pest management, planting, transplanting, container gardening, houseplants, plant identification, turfgrass installation and care, and a broad survey of the 'Green Industry' and other career opportunities.

EH 30

Irrigation Practices and Materials

3 units

This course is an introduction to the materials, equipment, installation procedures, operation and maintenance of landscape irrigation systems and their components.

EH 70

Plant Propagation and Nursery Practices

3 units

This course is an introduction to plant propagation and production practices with emphasis on nursery operations including sexual and asexual reproduction, planting, transplanting, fertilizing, plant pest and disease control; structures and site layout; preparation and use of propagating and planting mediums; use and maintenance of common tools and equipment; regulations pertaining to plant production. (C-ID AG-EH 116L).

Select one:

Required

3 units

Choose one of 2 choices

EH 23
Fall Plant Identification
3 units
course details
This course is a study of identification, growth habits, culture and ornamental use of fall landscape and indoor plants adapted to climates of California. Plants emphasized will come from the current California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers (CANGC) and California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) Certification Test Plant Lists. This course covers those plants best observed and studied in the fall of the year. (C-ID AG-EH 108L).
+−
EH 24
Spring Plant Identification
3 units
course details
This course is a study of identification, growth habits, culture and ornamental use of spring landscape and indoor plants adapted to climates of California. Plants emphasized will come from the current California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers (CANGC) and California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) Certification Test Plant Lists. This course covers those plants best observed and studied in the spring of the year. (C-ID AG-EH 112L).
+−

Term 2

Class Schedules

6 units

EH 38

Greenhouse Production

3 units

This course is a survey of the greenhouse industry. Emphasis will be placed on analysis, description, and operation of greenhouses and other forcing structures. The relationship of light, temperature, moisture, aeration, and humidity to plant growth will be described. Emphasis will be placed on potted plants grown for foliage or flowers, cut flowers and bedding plant production.

Select one:

Required

3 units

Choose one of 4 choices

EH 26
Landscape Planning and Design
3 units
course details
This course is a study of the principles utilized in planning and designing residential, commercial, and public landscaped areas. Topics include the fundamentals of design, the design process, and client relations. Emphasis will be placed upon the selection and utilization of plants and non-plant materials included in landscape areas.
+−
EH 60
Principles of Integrated Pest Management
3 units
course details
This course covers the origin, history, and management of insect, plant pathogen, weed, and other pests of field and horticulture crops. Pest biology and life cycles are studied to demonstrate the use of various Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technologies for economic crop production. Pesticide regulations, application, formulations, and materials for specific uses are covered.
+−
EH 61
Plant Protection Materials
3 units
course details
This course will introduce the history, laws and regulations, safe and responsible use, toxicology, risks, benefits, and sustainability in the use of horticultural and agricultural chemicals including pesticides, fertilizers, plant growth regulators, defoliants, and antimicrobials. Throughout the course applied examples will be used to generate discussion and aid in the students' ability to formulate integrated agrichemical management programs.
+−
EH 62
Weed Science and Invasive Plants
3 units
course details
This course is an introduction to the classification, identification, and life cycles of common poisonous and invasive weeds. Topics include the biological, chemical, cultural, and physical control of weeds. Characteristics of weeds and their identification, and herbicide application will be examined.
+−

Career Connections

2-Year Degree Paths

Entry points students may pursue after associate-level study, technical preparation, or licensure pathways.

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset point cleanly to an immediate 2-year outcome for this program.

4-Year Degree Paths

Roles that more often open up after transfer and a bachelor's degree.

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset are grouped into the 4-year pathway for this program.

Graduate School Paths

Advanced roles commonly associated with graduate, professional, or post-baccalaureate study.

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset are grouped into the graduate-school pathway for this program.

Source Notes

Course sequencing is generated from the Acadia Program Mapper cache. Career groupings use local CIP-to-SOC mappings and BLS occupation data when available. Confirm education plans with Counseling and Advising.

No NCES/IPEDS CIP-to-SOC mapping was found for this program's CIP code.

Last generated 2026-06-12T23:20+00:00

Program Snapshot

Next Steps

2-Year Degree Paths

4-Year Degree Paths

Graduate School Paths

Source Notes