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Education and Training Tips for Aspiring Florists
- Most florists have a high school diploma or a GED. Biology, botany, art, and design classes will prepare students for entry into the field. Business and economics classes are recommended for students who foresee opening their own shop.
- To gain the knowledge and experience necessary to become a florist you can either go to school or learn on the job.
- Once you’ve taken a floral design workshop and done some freelance floral design work with an experienced florist, you’ll need to put what you’ve learned into practice!
Qualities Recommended for Florists
- Most florists have a high school diploma or a GED. Biology, botany, art, and design classes will prepare students for entry into the field. Business and economics classes are recommended for students who foresee opening their own shop.
Skills and Knowledge Required for Florists
- The knowledge of the different plant types, leaves, and flowers help to create innovative bouquets.
- Presentation skills are essential for florists to present their decorations effectively.
- Floral designers use their sense of style to develop aesthetically pleasing and functional designs.
Training and Certification Information
- Florists can pursue voluntary certification, which requires completing approved coursework, an online exam, and an onsite evaluation. Only one state, Louisiana, requires a license to work as a florist.
Business and Job Opportunities in Floristry
- Many people assume you need a degree, license, or formal certification to become a florist, but formal certification is not a requirement to work as a floral designer in most of the U.S.
- A florist must have artistic vision to create arrangements, good communication skills to liaise with customers, and a strong business acumen to run a successful shop or online business.
