How to Become a Floral Designer in Iowa

Floral design is an exciting career. Floral designers often create floral arrangements for events, including weddings, parties, and funerals.

If you are interested in becoming a floral designer in Iowa, you are in the right place.

Steps for Becoming a Floral Designer in Iowa

Iowa has no state requirements for being a floral designer, so you have a few options to choose from.

While there are no official requirements, employees may require you to have experience, education, or certification to qualify for job opportunities.

You can attend a floral design school in Iowa, or find an apprenticeship to learn the business.

You can also choose to get a certification through the  American Institute of Floral Design, or AIFD.

It’s also important to note that you can choose more than one option.

In fact, this gives you the best opportunities for employment in the field.

Get a High School Diploma or Equivalent

The first step to becoming a floral designer is to get a high school diploma or equivalent.

It is possible to find an apprenticeship without a diploma.

However, if you don’t complete high school, opportunities are difficult to find.

Choose and Attend a Floral Design School

Most people who choose to be floral designers can benefit from attending a floral design school.

This isn’t required, but it can give you the knowledge you need to get started in the field of floral design.

Consider an Apprenticeship or Entry-Level Position

Once you’ve completed your floral design training, you may want to find an apprenticeship or entry-level position in the field.

Most employers prefer their employees to have completed a training program or have previous experience.

However,  you can also enter an apprenticeship without any prior training.

Some employers prefer employees with no prior knowledge.

This allows them to train the employee to do things their way.

Get Certified as a CFD

Once you’ve completed a floral design training program, apprenticeship, or both, you can choose to get your certification.

There are two ways to become certified.

You can attend a floral design school that is certified by the AIFD, or the American Institute of Floral Designers.

Once you’ve completed the program, you’ll need to take the Professional Floral Design Evaluation, or PFDE, which is an online exam.

You’ll also need to pay a fee of $150 and score at least 80% on the exam.

Unfortunately, there are no schools in Iowa that are certified with the AIFD.

This means if you want to become certified, you’ll need to complete the second option.

You’ll need to take the PFDE exam.

You’ll need to pay $150 for the test and score at least 80% on the exam.

Once you’ve passed, you can sign up for the Professional Floral Design Evaluation hands-on examination.

This costs $1,900 and consists of 5 designs.

Floral Design Schools in Iowa

There are a few floral design schools in Iowa.

It’s important to note that these schools are not certified by the AFID.

However, they are still a great way to get the knowledge you’ll need to begin a career in floral design.

Iowa State University

Experienced floral designer Dan Brabec offers floral design classes at Iowa State University.

He has more than 25 years of experience.

For 20 years, he had a successful business, Coes Floral and Gifts in Ames, Iowa.

You can choose to pursue a horticulture degree and take floral design classes as part of your degree.

This will take 2-4 years, depending on whether you earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

The cost for full-time in-state students is $4,339 per semester.

You can expect an associate’s degree to cost $17,000, and a bachelor’s degree to cost $35,000.

You can also choose to take floral design courses only.

These cost $363 per class.

There’s a total of 3 classes, which will cost about $1,100.

You won’t receive a certificate or diploma, but you will gain valuable knowledge.

Des Moines Area Community College

Des Moines Areas Community College offers an associate’s degree in horticulture.

Students will learn floral design, along with other aspects of horticulture.

An associate’s degree will take two years to complete, and cost about $15,000.

Eastern Iowa Community College

Eastern Iowa Community College offers an online floral design course provided by Preston Bailey, a well-known expert within the industry.

Upon completion of the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion.

The program isn’t eligible for financial aid, because they are considered non-credit courses.

The program takes about 6 months to complete.

Once you’ve completed the course, you can choose to take Intermediate Floral Design to learn more about floral design. The course costs $1,695.

Floral Designer Schools in Iowa – Summary Table

Floral Design Salary in Iowa

The average salary for a floral designer in Iowa is $52,541.

You can expect to make $42,653 at the entry-level.

The highest salary is $63,497.

Regional Salary in Iowa

Floral Design by State