The Horticultural Therapist Board Certified (HT-BC)
Horticultural Therapist- Board Certified (HT-BC)
Elevating the Standard: The Future of Horticultural Therapy
Launching in October 2026, this certification serves as the gold standard for excellence, bridging the critical gap between healthcare, social services, and horticulture. By validating real-world competence through a rigorous, psychometrically-backed framework, the HT-BC ensures that practitioners are equipped to nurture physical, mental, and emotional well-being with localized expertise and global credibility.
Grounded in a comprehensive Job Task Analysis, this certification validates real-world competence and elevates professional credibility across the field.
Whether you are looking to increase industry recognition, standardize your practice, or demonstrate advanced skill development, the HT-BC is designed to elevate your career and the profession at large.
Prepare for the Fall 2026 Launch
The journey toward board certification begins this year. Stay ahead of the curve by reviewing the eligibility pathways and preparing for the inaugural exam window.
Why Pursue HT-BC Certification?
- Standardization of Practice: Align with established professional benchmarks.
- Professional Credibility: Gain a competitive edge in allied health environments.
- Public Recognition: Increase trust with stakeholders, employers, and clients.
- Continuous Growth: Commit to a lifetime of expertise and scholarship.
HT-BC Credential Explained
The HT-BC designation is a rigorous validation of professional mastery. It serves as a guarantee to employers, healthcare partners, and the public that a practitioner possesses the specialized knowledge, clinical skills, and ethical foundation required to deliver high-impact therapeutic outcomes.
To achieve this credential, candidates must meet stringent requirements across education and professional experience, culminating in a comprehensive examination that reflects the current demands of the field.
The Foundation of the Exam
The HT-BC exam is built upon six core domains identified through a nationwide Job Task Analysis. This ensures the certification is grounded in the actual complexities of modern practice:
- Horticulture
- Treatment Planning
- Program Planning and Activity Design
- Managing Human Resources
- Business Practices, Safety, and Ethics
- Professionalism and Scholarship
Navigating the Transition for Existing Credential Holders
The introduction of the HT-BC credential represents a natural evolution of our profession. As we elevate our standards to a national competency model, we are committed to supporting our current practitioners through this transition.
How does the HT-BC impact current designations?
Registered Horticultural Therapists (HTR)
The certification is designed for individuals seeking to be recognized as credentialed horticultural therapists.
The HT–BC will eventually replace the current HTR designation as the primary credential in the field.
Therapeutic Horticultural Practitioners (THP)
The certification exam will not be required for Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner (THP) applications at this time.
What about those with HTRs or those pursuing their HTR?
Current HTRs
Current HTRs may continue to use their designation and AHTA will continue to recognize this legacy.
Current HTR designees are encouraged to become certified under this new national competency standard.
Perspective HTRs
HT–BC will eventually replace the current HTR designation as the primary credential in the field.
AHTA will stop accepting new HTR applications approximately July 1, 2026. This is before the launch of the certification exam.
After that, all new applicants will apply for the HT–BC certification.
Is the HT-BC the Right Fit for You?
Board certification is designed for a diverse range of professionals dedicated to the intersection of human health and the natural world. Whether you are a veteran practitioner or an allied health professional expanding your toolkit, the HT-BC validates your specialized competence.
Current HTR or HTM designees.
The Fit: You are an established expert looking to transition your legacy registration into the new national competency standard to maintain your competitive edge.
Licensed OTs, PTs, SLPs, Nurses, and Recreational Therapists (CTRS).
The Fit: You already hold a clinical license but want to formally integrate evidence-based horticultural interventions into your existing practice.
Social Workers (LCSW), Counselors (LPC/LMFT), BCBAs, and Psychologists.
The Fit: You utilize nature-based modality to support emotional and mental wellness and seek a formal credential to validate your expertise to stakeholders and insurance providers.
Career/Vocational Educators, Special Ed Teachers, Certified Horticulturists, and Landscape Architects.
The Fit: You have the educational foundation in plant or human sciences and have completed the required internship or work experience to specialize in therapeutic program design.
Determining Eligibility for HT-BC
The HT-BC eligibility pathways are designed to recognize diverse professional backgrounds while ensuring every certified therapist meets our rigorous national standards. Find your starting point below.
Pathway 1
Professional Registration.
- Applicants must hold a current Horticultural Therapy – Registered (HTR), or a Horticultural Therapist – Master (HTM) professional registration with AHTA.
Examination
- Applicants must successfully complete the HT-BC examination.
Pathway 2
Educational Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in any field and meet the following course requirements:
1. Required coursework
Horticultural Therapy Courses - nine semester credits in horticultural therapy from an AHTA accredited program (required for all applicants, regardless of degree field).
2. Additional coursework based on degree background
If the degree is not in a human science or plant science field, they must also complete:
- 12 semester credits in required human science topics
- 12 semester credits in required plant science topics
If a degree is in an approved plant science or human science field, applicants are exempt from taking additional undergraduate coursework in that major area.
However, they are still required to complete nine credits in horticultural therapy and 12 credits in the area outside their degree field, as follows:
- If the degree is in plant science, complete required 12 credits in human science
- If the degree is in human science, complete required 12 credits in plant science
Approved Fields
Plant Science Degree (examples):
- Horticulture, Horticultural Science, Plant Physiology, Plant Science, Floriculture
Human Science Degree (examples):
- Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Social Work, Music Therapy, Counseling, Psychology, Rehabilitation
Professional Experience
Applicants must have completed a 480-hour internship supervised by a horticultural therapist or have at least 1,000 hours work experience utilizing horticulture as therapy.
Examination
Applicants must successfully complete the HT-BC examination.
Pathway 3
Current Licensure/Certification
Applicants must hold a current license or certification in an approved profession accepted by the American Horticultural Therapy Association as follows:
Mental health or related professions:
- Social work, clinical - LCSW, LMSW
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor – CRC
- Professional counselor/therapist, licensed - LPC, LCADC, LMFT
- Board Certified Behavior Analysis – BCBA
Allied Professions:
- Occupational therapist, registered or licensed - OTR, OTR/L, OTD
- Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist - CTRS
- Speech and Language Pathologist - SLP
- Art therapist, registered or certified - ATR, ATR-BC
- Music Therapist, MT-BC
- Physical therapist/assistant, licensed - PT, PTA
- Activity professional, certified - AAP-BC
- Nursing - LPN, RN, BSN, NP
- Medical Doctor - MD
Education professions: State licensure or certification
- Career and technical instructor
- Vocational instructor
- Alternative education teacher
- Special education teacher
Horticulture professions:
- Professional horticulturist, certified - CPH
- Landscape architect, licensed – RAL, PLA
- Arborist, certified – ISA
If your license or certification is not listed contact AHTA for consideration.
Educational Requirements
1. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in any field.
2. All applicants must also complete nine semester credit hours of horticultural therapy coursework from an AHTA accredited program (required for all applicants, regardless of degree field).
Professional Experience
Applicants must have completed a 480-hour internship supervised by a horticultural therapist or have at least 1,000 hours work experience utilizing horticulture as therapy.
Examination
Applicants must successfully complete the HT-BC examination.
Additional Pathways may be considered in the future.
Get the Latest HT-BC Updates
In Summer 2026, AHTA will release the official HT-BC Candidate Handbook, providing the definitive guide to the application process, fee structures, and testing windows.
Don’t leave your professional development to chance. By joining our community, you will receive monthly "Certification Countdown" updates, including:
- Logistical Briefs: Direct notifications when the Candidate Handbook and registration portal go live.
- Exam Insights: Deep dives into the testing modality and what to expect during the inaugural October window.
- Strategic Prep: Advance notice of study resources and FAQ sessions designed to help you succeed.
Secure Your Spot in the Future of Horticultural Therapy
Join our network of forward-thinking professionals and be the first to know as we raise the standard for the industry.