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High School Certifications
The Texas State Florists’ Association (TSFA) is pleased to offer three of its floral industry certifications to high school students as well. The knowledge-based floral certification recognizes an individual’s familiarity with foundational concepts, standards and terminology used throughout the floriculture industry. TSFA’s Level 1 and Level 2 Floral Certifications include a hands-on component that ensures students possess the knowledge, creativity and skill needed to enter the workforce as a floral design professional.
Read on to learn more about the TSFA certifications that are available to high school students, access related resources or register your students for a certification test.
The TSFA Knowledge-based Floral Certification is included on the Texas Education Agency Approved List of Industry-based Certifications. Available in English and Spanish, this certification tests a student's knowledge of the floral industry and measures their understanding of foundational floral industry standards and principles. Students will be tested on flower and foliage identification, tools and supplies, floral terminology, care, handling and safety procedures.
The knowledge-based test may be taken at any time during the school year, at the teacher's discretion. Teachers receive an administrative log-in to the knowledge-based platform, and students receive their testing login information within two weeks of registration. After a student passes this certification test, their teacher may log in and download the student’s certificate of completion.
To qualify for this exam, students must be enrolled in a floral or approved art class.
Helpful Resources
- Knowledge-Based Study Guide.
- TSFA Testing Policies.
- Request for Testing Accommodations.
- More Educational Resources.
Pricing Information
- Knowledge-Based Test — $30 per student.
- Knowledge-Based Retest — $20 per student.
Please complete the registration form below for knowledge-based certification tests or retests.
The TSFA Level 1 Floral Certification is an achievement for students who possess knowledge and skills related to the principles and elements of floral design. Requirements for the certification are enrollment in an eligible floral design class, earning a 70 or above on the TSFA Knowledge-based Floral Certification exam and completing two floral designs in a timed setting, each with a passing score. Those pursuing this certification must successfully design floral arrangements, including the symmetrical design and boutonniere. They must demonstrate skillful use of floral tools and mechanics, efficient time management and standard design techniques.
Steps to Get Students Certified
- Ensure your students meet the following requirements:
- Enrolled in a floral design or approved art class.
- Passed the TSFA Knowledge-based Exam.
- Select the most convenient testing date and location from the list below.
- Register your students, and upload the required spreadsheet.
- The teacher will receive an email with further instructions for testing day and how to view grades after testing.
- Students must test on the selected date, adhering to all  TSFA Testing Policies.
- Students must pass the judging criteria for the symmetrical design and boutonniere.
Grades will be available for teachers to view seven days after testing. Certificates from each testing site will be mailed to teachers by USPS.
How to Request Accommodations
TSFA provides reasonable examination accommodations to any qualified applicant with a diagnosed physical, mental or developmental disability. If your student requires testing accommodations, please complete the form below.
Pricing Information
- Level 1 In-person, Including Knowledge-based — $120.
- Level 1 In-person Hands-on only — $100.
- Level 1 Virtual Hands-on, Including Knowledge-based — $85.
- Level 1 Virtual Hands-on — $75.
- Level 1 Hands-on Retest — $35.
Refunds: Transfers or substitutions are welcome before the testing date. Cancellations received in writing at the TSFA office five business days before the event will receive a refund — minus a 20% handling fee. If you do not cancel or transfer before the event date, the entire fee is non-refundable.
Educational Resources
TSFA offers a study guide and numerous other educational resources to assist floral design teachers and students.
Level 1 Certification Instructional Video
TSFA Level 1 Floral Certification Teacher Proctored Testing for 2024-2025
Students may test online to earn Level 1 floral design certification. They must be in the classroom or a similar setting, proctored by their floral design teacher. Virtual testing requires the use of TSFA's digital platform and any mobile phone or device.
Schedule a date to proctor your students' tests and register your students at least two weeks prior to the desired testing date. Virtual testing will not be offered the following dates during the 2024-2025 school year:
- November 16-28.
- December 12-30.
- February 8-16.
- April 5-6.
- April 12.
- April 17-19.
- May 3-5.
How to Test Virtually
Photos of the students’ designs must be taken using TSFA’s app and uploaded into the portal. It is vital that all required angles are submitted accurately and that the photos be taken in front of a white tri-fold background with an 18” symmetrical triangle outlined on it. The student’s designs will be graded by TSFA Education Specialists using the rubrics in the Grading Criteria section below. Level 2 Floral Certification is only offered in person at this time.
Pricing Information
- Knowledge-based test and Level 1 Hands-on virtual test — $85.
- Level 1 Hands-on virtual test only, without the knowledge-based test — $75.
Level 1 Virtual Hands-on Certification Registration
Please complete the form below. You will be asked to select a specific time and date for the virtual testing. It is wise to plan three weeks in advance to give your local wholesaler time to procure product for the testing. This also provides adequate time for TSFA to create a test event specific to you and your school. If changes need to be made, please make them one week before the test event.
Educational Resources
TSFA offers a study guide and numerous other educational resources to assist floral design teachers and students.
Level 1 Certification Instructional Video
Q. Is the certification always the same design?
A. Yes. Once designs are determined for the testing season, the certification tests will always include the same designs. This teaches the students the principles and elements of floral design and how to apply them.
Q. Is the grading rubric available to teachers?
A. Yes. The grading rubric for Level 1 and Level 2 are available in the Grading Criteria section below.
Q. When testing virtually, do the carnations all have to be the same color?
A. Yes. TSFA strongly suggests that all carnations be the same color when testing virtually. This helps support best outcomes during visual inspection and evaluation by the graders.
Q. Do the carnations need to be cleaned of leaves, and does statice need to be shaved before inserting them into wet floral foam?
A. No, carnations do not need to be cleaned of all leaves. Students must clean the bottom of the stem for easier insertion into the wet floral foam. Statice can be shaved toward the bottom for easy insertion and stabilization after placement.
Q. What time of year do students test?
A. Students typically test in the spring semester; however, it is possible to test virtually in the fall.
Q. What are some common mistakes seen at the Level 1 testing?
A. Make sure the skeleton is correct. Everything should flow with the arrangement, as long as the skeleton is correct. Here are some common mistakes seen at testing:
- Filler does not radiate out from the symmetrical arrangement.
- Too much leather leaf is used on the symmetrical arrangement.
- The stems are left too long on the boutonniere.
- Wire shows at the bottom of the rose stem on the boutonniere.
Q. What are TSFA’s testing policies?
A. Please take time to review TSFA’s testing policies.
TSFA's Knowledge-Based, Level 1 and Level 2 Floral Certifications have been included on the 2022-2025 Texas Education Agency Approved List of Industry-Based Certifications. By earning Level 2 certification, students demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills and experience to begin a career in the floral industry. As they develop a comprehensive portfolio and create multiple floral arrangements, students gain the confidence and competence needed to succeed as a floral designer.
Requirements for Level 2 Floral Certification
- Achieve Level 1 Floral Certification.
- Submit a Level 2 Portfolio at least four weeks before the hands-on test. The TSFA Education Committee reviews each portfolio. TSFA approval is required before students may be registered for the Level 2 test.
- Volunteering and sharing of floral skills, item one. Two of the examples below must be included in the portfolio.
- Volunteer at a Level 1 test site.
- Volunteer at a community event sharing flowers (nursing home, etc.).
- Volunteer at a regional design show approved by TSFA.
- Attend a hands-on floral workshop.
- Attend additional events, as approved by TSFA.
- Volunteering and sharing of floral skills, item two — a second item from the list above.
- Level 2 hands-on test.
Level 2 Testing Information
- Students must be registered by the stated deadline for the specific testing location. Please check test dates below and on the registration form.
- A $135 testing fee applies.
- Students will be provided with a design bowl, 1/3 brick wet floral foam, a vase, clear tape, green anchor tape, floral wire, floral tape and fresh product for three hands-on designs.
- Students should bring knives, stem cutters or shears and wire cutters. There will be no tools provided.
- The design portion of the certification process will be timed at 90 minutes total for the three designs.
- Students must pass judging criteria for the asymmetrical design, corsage and vase design to be awarded Level 2 certification.
Retesting Information for Level 2
Retesting is available for students who do not pass one or more items in the design portion. The retesting fee is $75.
- Students will have 30 minutes per design during retesting, and they will only test for the designs they did not initially pass.
- Retesting may be done at any in-person testing event listed below.
Note, there is now one digital form for Level 2 testing. Simply select the retest option on the form.
Refunds: Transfers and substitutions are welcome before the date of the event. Cancelations received in writing by the TSFA office five business days before the event will receive a refund — minus a 20% handling fee. If you do not cancel or transfer before the event date, the entire fee is non-refundable.
Educational Resources
TSFA offers a study guide and numerous other educational resources to assist floral design teachers and students.
Level 2 Certification Instructional Video
Q. Is it better to use pittosporum or Israeli ruscus for the corsage?
A. Pittosporum is easier to obtain. Pittosporum can be grown in greenhouses or around the school and used for practice in class. Israeli ruscus should be used as a substitution if pittosporum is unavailable.
Q. Do roses come without thorns for the rose vase arrangement testing?
A. No. Students will have to remove thorns once testing begins. They will not be counted off for having a few thorns left on the roses. Judges look at the mechanics of each arrangement.
Q. What length of roses should be ordered when practicing at school?
A. It is best to order 50-60 cm roses when practicing at school.
Q. If there is a weak rose, does it need to be wired?
A. No. If a student receives a rose that is too damaged to work with, they may exchange it before the testing begins. If there are a few weak roses, it is recommended that they be used toward the bottom of the arrangement and the stronger ones be used toward the top.
Q. What are some common mistakes seen at testing on Level 2 arrangements?
A. Flowers are barely in the wet floral foam and are too loose. Not enough depth has been created. Some asymmetrical designs look more like a Level 1 symmetrical arrangement.
Q. What are TSFA’s testing policies?
A. Please take time to review TSFA’s testing policies.
In-person testing dates and locations for 2026 will be published soon, along with their corresponding registration due dates.
Please note the due dates listed on the registration form and above. Each date is set to allow for time to order product and supplies. No registration forms will be accepted after the listed date!
Below are the Principles and Elements of Design Grading Criteria used by TSFA. Students are encouraged to consider these concepts as they design arrangements for certification tests.
- Balance
- Symmetrical or Asymmetrical — Does the arrangement depict the appropriate style? If the design is the correct style, is it visibly balanced from side to side, front to back, top to bottom?
- Asymmetrical — Is the arrangement different or unequal?
- Symmetrical — Is the design mirrored on both sides?
- Mechanics — If used, is wire, tape and foam neat and covered as instructed?
- Proportion and Scale — Is the size of the design appropriate relative to the container, considering the number of flowers assigned? Does the arrangement display a comparative relationship between components in the composition?
- Depth and Rhythm — Are flower placements at different levels? Is visual movement through the design achieved by repetition or gradation?
- Focal Point and Dominance — Is the visual organization emphasized? Do you see the visual impact or interest to which the eye is drawn?
- Skeleton — Do the first three stems establish the line and balance of the design? Are secondary flowers creating overcrowding in the design?
- Foliage — Remember that foliage is used to enhance the directional force of line. Does the foliage follow the line pattern? Is foliage added to fill space and cover mechanics?
- Unity — Oneness of components into a harmonious whole, which results in a complete relationship of all parts. Has the design accomplished the oneness of all components?
- Form — A configuration of individual components of design. Does the design create an overall three-dimensional composition?
- Line — The visual path that directs the eye through a design. Have the flower placements created a line for your eye to follow?