Level 1 and Level 2 Floral Design Certification Testing Policies
The Texas State Florists' Association (TSFA) offers Level 1 and Level 2 Floral Design Certification testing. To effectively measure the student’s knowledge, these exams must be uniformly and securely administered. Therefore, those who assign and schedule tests and the proctors who administer them must acknowledge and comply with all program procedures.
Testing Dates and Times — TSFA Level 1 and Level 2 certification tests may be administered any time during the current academic year (July 1 through the following June 30) when a proctor and an appropriate testing facility are available, excluding blackout dates that are listed on tsfa.org.
Testing Environment — The TSFA Knowledge-Based certification test and online version of the hands-on Level 1 certification test may be administered on any computer that meets the minimum technical and security requirements. The computer delivering the TSFA certification tests must be located in a computer lab, test center or other appropriate testing location that provides for monitoring by the proctor, reasonable shielding from others, freedom from distractions and comfort for the tester.
Proctors — The proctor may be a school or site administrative staff member, a current or retired faculty member, or any other individual deemed qualified by TSFA.
Proctor’s Responsibility — The proctor is responsible for verifying the test candidature’s identity, enabling the test for the candidate and providing general oversight of the candidate during the testing session. This includes ensuring there is no cheating of any kind, including giving or receiving help, using books, notes, etc.
Accommodations — Candidates with special needs (e.g., students with Individual Education Plans) may receive reasonable accommodations for their special needs, at the discretion of TSFA, provided that such accommodations do not compromise test integrity. See Request for Special Examination Accommodations Application Form.
Retests — Candidates are eligible for one retest attempt for any of the TSFA certification tests completed during the current academic year (July 1 through the following June 30), provided such retest attempt is scheduled 30 days or more from test completion date of the first attempt. Retest attempts must be completed on or before the last day of the academic year (June 30) in which the first attempt was completed. An additional retesting fee is required.
Instructor (Role) Level Access — All persons assigned the Instructor role are provided unique credentials to the testing platform in order to register students and monitor their progress. Instructors may not share their access credentials with anyone (students nor other school personnel) and must take reasonable precautions to safeguard their credentials.
Cancellation of Scores — TSFA reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel any test score and bar participation in the TSFA Level 1, Level 2 or Knowledge-Based certification testing program if TSFA has reason to question the validity if a test score. Misconduct during the testing session, multiple test assignments to an individual candidate within an academic year, and Instructors access to test forms, among others, compromise test validity.
Good and Reasonable Effort — TSFA considers each school or site participating in TSFA Level 1, Level 2, or Knowledge-Based certification tests an active partner in the test delivery process. TSFA expects all school or site staff involved in the testing program to exercise good and reasonable effort to maintain the integrity of the testing program.
Photos — When completing Level 1 testing online, it is vital to ensure all required photos are submitted through TSFA's testing platform. First, scan the QR code provided. Next, using the app, take the required photos of each arrangement in front of a white trifold, ensuring that each high-quality image is uploaded into the appropriate field (e.g., the right side symmetrical box includes an image of the right side of the symmetrical arrangement, etc.). Finally, click submit after verifying all photos have been uploaded into the appropriate spaces.
User Name — All student users must use a valid email address in their TSFA Level 1 certification testing username. The TSFA Knowledge-Based exam is an industry-based certification that tests a student’s knowledge of the floral industry, familiarity with common terms associated with daily floral tasks and ability to identify common tools and plants used in the floral industry. The teacher or Career and Technical Education Director must verify that that the student is enrolled in a floral design class.