Professional Registration with the American Horticultural Therapy Association

The American Horticultural Therapy Association is the only organization in the US that recognizes and registers horticultural therapists through a voluntary professional registration program. The designation Horticultural Therapist-Registered (HTR) ensures that professional competencies have been achieved based on standardized academic requirements and professional training. Professionally registered horticultural therapists are expected to adhere to the AHTA Code of Professional Ethics for Horticultural Therapists. The AHTA's Standards of Practice for Horticultural Therapy describe the expectations of professional conduct and delivery of horticultural therapy service. 

Eligibility Requirements

Application Process

Maintaining Professional Registration

Grandfather Clause

Resources and Documents

Professional Registration Eligibility Requirements

• Have a bachelor's degree with a concentration in horticultural therapy OR a bachelor's degree with the additional coursework that meets the academic requirements as noted in AHTA's Professional Registration Policies and Procedures.
• Have successfully completed the required 480-hour supervised internship in horticultural therapy or the equivalent work experience. Learn more about internship requirements and opportunities.
• Pay a non-refundable application fee of $150.

• Be a member of AHTA at the time of application as an Associate Level 1. 

View the Policies and Procedures

Application Process

Please complete the online application, which allows you to upload supporting documentation, and pay the $150 application fee. All application materials must be submitted online.

Submit Your Online Application

Applications are evaluated by AHTA's Professional Registration Review Board. An applicant is required to complete the online AHTA professional registration application, provide official transcripts for verification of applicable coursework, and include a completed, signed internship performance report for verification of the internship along with a copy of either:

a) Internship Case Study 

b) Long-Term Project 

c) Internship work experience option: a letter verifying dates and hours of employment signed by the registered horticultural therapist supervisor.

Please note: If you are submitting courses from an educational institution that uses a quarter system as opposed to a semester system, a conversion table is available for your use. All AHTA professional registration course requirements are semester credits NOT quarter credits. If you have any questions, please contact the AHTA office.

There are two ways to pay your application fee:

1. You may pay your application fee online.
   
2. Mail a check to the AHTA office address listed below.
   
   AHTA Office
   2150 N 107th St, Ste 205
   Seattle, WA 98133

Maintaining Professional Registration

Once an applicant has been approved for professional registration, AHTA membership must be renewed annually at the Professional level to maintain HTR status. After three months of a lapsed membership, a registrant must pay a reinstatement fee of $75 in addition to their annual membership dues to be reinstated. After two years of a lapsed membership, a registrant will be required to reapply for registration status.

Professionally registered horticultural therapists are expected to adhere to the AHTA Code of Ethics for Horticultural Therapists. The AHTA Standards of Practice for Horticultural Therapy describe the expectations of professional conduct and delivery of horticultural therapy service.

Complete information for professional registration can be found in the AHTA Professional Registration Policies and Procedures.

Grandfather Clause

The AHTA Board of Directors last made significant changes to the professional registration process in 2013. During that time a grandfather clause was enacted. It is noted that most applicants do not fall under this clause. However, the board wants to be sure that anyone who does qualify under this clause is aware of the guidelines.

Grandfather statement: AHTA recognizes that many members started their pursuit of professional registration under the old Option B (the standards in effect before October 1, 2013) where individuals randomly selected courses from a list of horticulture and human science topic areas. AHTA does not want to discredit this work that many individuals started in the years prior to October 1, 2013.

The grandfathering period is based on how many courses an applicant has taken prior to this date. If six (6) or more courses for professional registration were taken before October 1, 2013, you will be reviewed under the old Option B (the standards in effect before October 1, 2013). We strongly recommend and encourage you to take the remaining courses from the new required coursework list. If all coursework was taken before October 1, 2013, you will be reviewed under the old Option B. Those individuals applying for professional registration after October 1, 2013, that do not meet the noted exceptions, will be reviewed under the new Option B.

View Grandfather Clause

Professional Registration Resources

• AHTA Professional Registration Policies and Procedures
• Course Titles that Support the AHTA Core Curriculum Topic Areas 
• Application for Professional Registration
• Addendum to Professional Registration Application - for submitting documents for reapplication after an application for Professional Registration has been denied. 
• A current list of internship sites is available through the AHTA Member Center. Intern supervisors can be located by searching the member directory. 
• For a list of programs that offer academic coursework in horticultural therapy, please refer to the Horticultural Therapy Education page.