Becoming a Texas Master Florist

About the Texas Master Florist^® Program

The Texas State Florists’ Association (TSFA) is proud to offer one of the most comprehensive educational programs in the floral industry — the Texas Master Florist (TMF) program. Developed to benefit all floral professionals, from sales staff to designers and shop owners, the TMF program provides a standard of professional excellence that is recognized throughout the industry. It includes three segments: design production, design management and professional florist certification. Three to five years of floral experience is recommended. Including the application fee, seven online sessions, three hands-on sessions and in-person exam, members pay just $2,420 for this program, which reflects a savings of $490 off the non-member rate! Annual membership in TSFA is required to obtain and maintain the TMF designation.

Am I Eligible for the Texas Master Florist Program?

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.

Steps to Becoming a Texas Master Florist

Complete and return the TSFA TMF application.
Take and pass the TMF qualifying exam.
After passing the TMF qualifying exam, you are eligible to register online for seven of the 10 qualifying courses in this certification program.
Register for the three hands-on courses.
Once you have successfully completed all 10 courses, both hands-on and online, you may register for the Texas Master Florist final exam.

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Texas Master Certified Florist Content

Hands-on Courses

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!

Online Courses

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.