Certification FAQ

To become a certified Louisiana Master Naturalist, a participant must fulfill the following:

• In order to register for an upcoming Master Naturalist certification course, fill out this on-line application.
• Attend at least 7 of the 9 course workshops. 
• Attend opening and closing workshops. workshops are field-based lectures held outdoors, and we have a few slideshow lectures where important. We follow current local mask rules in each workshop, and will keep you informed when requirements change.
• Complete 20 hours of approved volunteer service within six months following closing workshop
• Complete 8 hours of approved continuing education within six months following closing workshop
• Pay $50 for annual dues 

• Opening and closing workshops are essential; If absence unavoidable, please notify workshop leaders.
• Workshops that are missed within one semester can be made up in future classes.  If interested in attending a workshop outside of your enrolled semester, please contact workshop leaders at least two weeks prior to the date of the workshop.​
• Individuals who are certified in another Master Naturalist program receive a 50% tuition discount upon presentation of their certificate. 

Once Certified, Louisiana Master Naturalists must complete the following annually:

• ​Volunteer a minimum of 20 hours of approved volunteer service each year.
• Attend at least 8 hours of approved continuing education training each year.
• Pay $50 in Membership Dues each year.
• Members who wish to return to active participation in the organization after a time away need only pay dues for that calendar year and begin to file volunteer and continuing education hours on POINT. See the Certification tab for information on how to sign up for POINT. 

• Gain knowledge about the ecosystems present in Louisiana
• Build understanding about the interconnections among our flora and fauna and the well-being of our ecosystems, economic foundation, and cultural communities
• Become part of a network of people who are passionately interested in Louisiana’s natural history, how it functions, and how to protect it
• Earn invaluable networking opportunities with multidisciplinary experts through course involvement, volunteering opportunities, and group meetings
• Build professional credentials by contributing to organizational management through involvement with the LMNGNO board and executive committees
• Access to Study Groups for exclusive use by LMNGNO members. Contact [email protected] for access to the Members Only page of the website.