TMF Certification

It is recommended that applicants have three to five years of floral experience. After completion of the TMF application, a TSFA Education Committee member will administer the TMF qualifying exam, which is given to ensure your goal of becoming a successful florist.

1. Complete and return the TSFA TMF application.
2. Take and pass the TMF qualifying exam.
3. After passing the TMF qualifying exam, you may register for the seven online modules in this 10-class certification program.
4. Register for the three in-person, hands-on sessions.
5. Once you have passed all 10 classes — hands-on and online — you may register for the Texas Master Florist final exam.

The qualifying exam is a required entrance exam into the TMF program. This test is considered Step 2 in the process of earning your TMF designation and should be completed after your application has been approved.

Qualifying exams are scheduled with a TSFA Education Committee member in your area at a convenient time for both of you.

Exam Outline

Bring your tools — knife, scissors, wire cutters, etc. Wire and tape will be provided. Fresh flowers will be furnished to complete a shoulder corsage and one of the following designs: an asymmetrical triangle, oblong centerpiece, vase design or a symmetrical arrangement.

You will select from the available flowers to create your designs. Both the corsage and arrangement must be completed within 40 minutes. The monitor will tell you when to begin and when the time has expired.

• Celebration of Life and Sympathy Design — Flowers are more than an expression of sympathy, they are symbols of faith and respect. In this workshop, you will learn to design sympathy arrangements in baskets and containers, standing sprays, wreaths, form pieces, casket sprays, cremation urn pieces, celebration of life arrangements and much more.
• Wedding Florals: From Consultation to Completion — Wedding flowers are some of the most exciting designs you will create. Learn how to wow your clients! A florist can make or break their reputation through their wedding flowers. This course will cover flowers to wear, hand-tied bouquets, ceremony and reception designs, consultation, pricing and more.
• The Elements and Principles of Floral Design — This course could also be called “Tools of Design,” and it will equip you with essential design knowledge. Principles are more than arbitrary rules, they are constant guidelines to use throughout your career!

View the availability of in-person TMF courses on the list of TSFA Events or in the TSFA School of Floral Design schedule.

• Floral Business Procedures and Policies — By completing this course, you will become acquainted with the basic terminology and essential procedures needed to operate a floral shop on a daily basis.
• Care and Handling of Foliage and Flowering Plants — Plants add a special touch to our homes and brighten our surroundings. In this course, you will learn plant morphology, physiology, nomenclature and much more.
• Care of Cut Flowers and Foliage — Cut flowers are living, actively metabolizing plant parts, even after being separated from the parent plant. Explore ways to ensure quality, gain tips to ensure proper handling, discover the benefits of pre-treatments and learn care and handling terms in this course.
• Floral Sales and Profitability for the Retail Florist — Operating a successful floral business takes time, attention and effort. Much like anything we do, we need to know what to do before we can get started. This course will provide you with a clear path to profitability.
• Flower Shop Delivery Concepts — Few customer-oriented, personalized services remain in today’s self-service society. Delivery is a service that is very competitive and is the one commodity the floral industry has that keeps customers coming to our shops. Learn how to leverage this key service by completing this course.
• The Art of Effective Visual Merchandising — Merchandising is anything done to develop your business and sell your product. With insights gained from this course, you can prepare a merchandising calendar and ensure productive use of space, design, lighting, signage and much more.
• Advertising and Marketing — Modern consumers are inundated with commercial messages. To be profitable, your business must be noticed! This course will provide you with the marketing insights and tools you need to succeed.

Have you been accepted into the Texas Master Florist program? Access the online learning modules by using the button below.

To retain TMF status, you must maintain TSFA membership and meet certain continuing education requirements every three years, including completing 30 hours of professional development, with 80% of those continuing education units (CEUs) awarded by TSFA.

Individuals who earned their TMF certification before 2021 must maintain TSFA membership to use the TMF credential, but they are not required to meet this continuing education requirement.

Use the button below to access the recertification guide for TMFs and other Professional Certified Florists. Should you have questions or need additional information, please contact TSFA.

Qualified individuals who have achieved the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) Certified Floral Designer or AIFD accredited certifications may take the fast-track option to become a Texas Master Florist! Simply follow the steps below.

1. Hold the AIFD or CFD designation.
2. Be a TSFA member.
3. Complete and submit the TMF fast-track application below.
4. Purchase and complete the seven online classes, passing each post-test.
5. Pay the $125 TMF certification fee.

Each of the seven online courses costs $85. The TMF certification fee is $125.

Complete the application below to begin.