There are two routes to ICPF. First, the ICPF certification program consists of a two part series of eight online courses, and four hands-on, in-person classes completed in one weekend. Second, you may forego all online and in person classes and take an in-person comprehensive assessment in March at our Annual Design Show. The fifty plus hours of instruction cover the basic areas of professional floristry. Subjects covered include Basic Design Techniques, Daily Business Procedures, Employee Relations, Sympathy Design Basics, and Principles & Elements of Design.
The course is for the beginning florist or a more experienced designer looking to improve their skills.
Students may choose to take a single class, several classes or the whole series. At the completion of each class there is an assessment or skills check list. After successful completion of all twelve classes and assessment/skills check lists, the student will be granted the ICPF Credential through the Illinois State Florists' Association.
The first step to becoming certified is to provide your name, address, e-mail and pay the one time registration fee of $50. After you register, you will be contacted by the program coordinator with your password so you can choose your ICPF on-line class. CLICK TO REGISTER
For More Information or Questions Regarding ICPF Certification Contact:
ICPF Coordinator
Ronda Hess AIFD, CFD, ICPF
[email protected]
The course is for the beginning florist or a more experienced designer looking to improve their skills.
Students may choose to take a single class, several classes or the whole series. At the completion of each class there is an assessment or skills check list. After successful completion of all twelve classes and assessment/skills check lists, the student will be granted the ICPF Credential through the Illinois State Florists' Association.
The first step to becoming certified is to provide your name, address, e-mail and pay the one time registration fee of $50. After you register, you will be contacted by the program coordinator with your password so you can choose your ICPF on-line class. CLICK TO REGISTER
For More Information or Questions Regarding ICPF Certification Contact:
ICPF Coordinator
Ronda Hess AIFD, CFD, ICPF
[email protected]
Online Courses
The Elements and Principles of Design $69.00 CLICK TO REGISTER
This course might as well be called “Tools of Design”. Principles are not arbitrary rules: they are constant guidelines.
Care & Handling of Cut Flowers and Foliage $69.00 Care & Handling of Cut Flowers and Foliage CLICK TO REGISTER
Cut flowers, even though they have been separated from the parent plant, are living, actively metabolizing plant parts. You will explore the factors affecting quality, tips and handling, pre-treatments and Care and Handling terms.
Care & Handling of Foliage and Flowering Plants $69.00 CLICK TO REGISTER
Plants add a touch to our homes and brighten our indoor surroundings. In the course you will learn the Plant’s Morphology, the Plant’s Physiology, Plant Nomenclature and much more.
Flower Shop Delivery Concepts $69.00 CLICK TO REGISTER
In this 24-hour, self- service society, few customer-oriented personalized services remain. Delivery is a service that is very competitive and is the one commodity the floral industry has that keeps customers coming to our shops.
The Art of Effective Visual Merchandising $69.00 CLICK TO REGISTER
Merchandising is anything that is done to develop the business and move your product. The course will show you how to prepare a merchandising calendar, explain productive use of space, design, lighting, signage, and much more.
Floral Sales and Profitability for Retail Florist $69.00 CLICK TO REGISTER
In today’s market, the customers must be our focus and direction with intent, our business will be successful.
Floral Business Procedures and Policies $69.00 CLICK TO REGISTER
The goal of daily business procedures is to acquaint the individual with the basic definitions and business procedures needed to operate a floral shop on a day to day basis.
Advertising and Marketing $69.00 CLICK TO REGISTER
In today’s advertising market, the consumer is over exposed to commercial messages. The business must get noticed and this course will provide the tools needed for success.
The Elements and Principles of Design $69.00 CLICK TO REGISTER
This course might as well be called “Tools of Design”. Principles are not arbitrary rules: they are constant guidelines.
Care & Handling of Cut Flowers and Foliage $69.00 Care & Handling of Cut Flowers and Foliage CLICK TO REGISTER
Cut flowers, even though they have been separated from the parent plant, are living, actively metabolizing plant parts. You will explore the factors affecting quality, tips and handling, pre-treatments and Care and Handling terms.
Care & Handling of Foliage and Flowering Plants $69.00 CLICK TO REGISTER
Plants add a touch to our homes and brighten our indoor surroundings. In the course you will learn the Plant’s Morphology, the Plant’s Physiology, Plant Nomenclature and much more.
Flower Shop Delivery Concepts $69.00 CLICK TO REGISTER
In this 24-hour, self- service society, few customer-oriented personalized services remain. Delivery is a service that is very competitive and is the one commodity the floral industry has that keeps customers coming to our shops.
The Art of Effective Visual Merchandising $69.00 CLICK TO REGISTER
Merchandising is anything that is done to develop the business and move your product. The course will show you how to prepare a merchandising calendar, explain productive use of space, design, lighting, signage, and much more.
Floral Sales and Profitability for Retail Florist $69.00 CLICK TO REGISTER
In today’s market, the customers must be our focus and direction with intent, our business will be successful.
Floral Business Procedures and Policies $69.00 CLICK TO REGISTER
The goal of daily business procedures is to acquaint the individual with the basic definitions and business procedures needed to operate a floral shop on a day to day basis.
Advertising and Marketing $69.00 CLICK TO REGISTER
In today’s advertising market, the consumer is over exposed to commercial messages. The business must get noticed and this course will provide the tools needed for success.
Hands-On Courses
Dates: August 5-6, 2024
Location: Kishwaukee College, 21193 Malta Rd, Malta, IL 60150
• Minimum of 8 students to have classes
• Lunch is included both days
• Please bring tools
•Hotels available in Rochelle or DeKalb.
• Registration deadline July 23
• No Refunds after July 23, please plan accordingly
REGISTER FOR ALL 4 COURSES HERE $500.00 - SOLD OUT FOR 2024
Day 1
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Everyday Basic Designs—The foundation of floral design. Experience practical basic floral mechanics and techniques using the Principles & Elements of Design to create basic every day designs. $125.00 CLICK TO REGISTER - SOLD OUT FOR 2024
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Floral Design Techniques & Applications--Identify design techniques and their practical application to professional floral design. $125.00 CLICK TO REGISTER - SOLD OUT FOR 2024
Day 2
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Wedding Design Techniques—Gain practical experience as you create basic wedding bouquets. Techniques include wiring and taping, use of foam bouquet holders and personal flowers. $125.00 CLICK TO REGISTER - SOLD OUT FOR 2024
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sympathy Design Basics—Experience hands-on how to’s for creating casket sprays, easel sprays and traditional mache' designs. $125.00 CLICK TO REGISTER - SOLD FOR 2024
Dates: August 5-6, 2024
Location: Kishwaukee College, 21193 Malta Rd, Malta, IL 60150
• Minimum of 8 students to have classes
• Lunch is included both days
• Please bring tools
•Hotels available in Rochelle or DeKalb.
• Registration deadline July 23
• No Refunds after July 23, please plan accordingly
REGISTER FOR ALL 4 COURSES HERE $500.00 - SOLD OUT FOR 2024
Day 1
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Everyday Basic Designs—The foundation of floral design. Experience practical basic floral mechanics and techniques using the Principles & Elements of Design to create basic every day designs. $125.00 CLICK TO REGISTER - SOLD OUT FOR 2024
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Floral Design Techniques & Applications--Identify design techniques and their practical application to professional floral design. $125.00 CLICK TO REGISTER - SOLD OUT FOR 2024
Day 2
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Wedding Design Techniques—Gain practical experience as you create basic wedding bouquets. Techniques include wiring and taping, use of foam bouquet holders and personal flowers. $125.00 CLICK TO REGISTER - SOLD OUT FOR 2024
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sympathy Design Basics—Experience hands-on how to’s for creating casket sprays, easel sprays and traditional mache' designs. $125.00 CLICK TO REGISTER - SOLD FOR 2024
ICPF Comprehensive Assessment
The Comprehensive Assessment will be offered tentatively March 2025. This is in place of taking the online and hands on courses.
Written Assessment (2hrs)
Design Assessment (2.5hrs)
Reference Texts used for the Written Assessment
• Flowers: Creative Design, by Johnson/McKinley/Benz
• The AIFD Guide to Floral Design
Cost
ISFA Members (Shop Owners and Employees) - $TBD
Qualified Horticulture Students* - $TBD
*Must be enrolled or have graduated within the past 12 months from an Illinois College or University
Personal tools needed for Practical Assessment: Knife, Scissors, Pruners and Wire cutters.
ICPF COMPREHENSIVE TEST
Date: March 2025
Location: TBD
Time: TBD
Click Here to Register for the Comprehensive Test
The Comprehensive Assessment will be offered tentatively March 2025. This is in place of taking the online and hands on courses.
Written Assessment (2hrs)
Design Assessment (2.5hrs)
Reference Texts used for the Written Assessment
• Flowers: Creative Design, by Johnson/McKinley/Benz
• The AIFD Guide to Floral Design
Cost
ISFA Members (Shop Owners and Employees) - $TBD
Qualified Horticulture Students* - $TBD
*Must be enrolled or have graduated within the past 12 months from an Illinois College or University
Personal tools needed for Practical Assessment: Knife, Scissors, Pruners and Wire cutters.
ICPF COMPREHENSIVE TEST
Date: March 2025
Location: TBD
Time: TBD
Click Here to Register for the Comprehensive Test