About Landscape Architecture Licensure
Landscape architects are uniquely qualified to design and manage the built landscape. Before being allowed to practice, landscape architects must complete a comprehensive set of educational, internship and testing requirements to ensure competency and to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare. In addition, many states have implemented mandatory continuing education requirements to keep landscape architects up-to-date with current standards and practices.
Currently, all 50 states require landscape architects to be licensed or registered in order to practice. In the U.S., licensing is the prerogative of individual states under two types of licensure laws. Under provisions of Practice Acts, no unqualified individual may perform the work of a landscape architect. Under the provisions of Title Acts, no person may call themselves a landscape architect without holding a license.
For a map showing states with Practice Acts and Title Acts go to: http://www.asla.org/StateGovtAffairsLicensure.aspx
In order to obtain a license to practice landscape architecture, canidates must pass the Landscape Architect Registration Exam and graduate with a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an LAAB‐accredited landscape architecture program or completion of no-less than eight years of supervised, approved, practical experience in landscape architecture under the supervision of one or more licensed landscape architects. Satisfactory completion of each year of an acceptable landscape architectural program is equivalent to one year of experience. The Landscape Architect Registration Exam (LARE) is a comprehensive exam which may include a separate state section. The exam is administered and graded by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Board (CLARB). For more detailed information visit: https://www.asla.org/uploadedFiles/CMS/Government_Affairs/State_Goverment_Affairs_and_Licensure/State_Documents/Utah2015.pdf
LARE Exam
The L.A.R.E. exam consists of four sections
Section 1 Exam – Project and Construction Management
Section 2 Exam – Inventory and Analysis
Section 3 Exam – Design
Section 4 Exam – Grading, Drainage and Construction Documentation
For more information on the breakdown of each Section Exam refer to the CLARB Exam Prep Resource.
Click here for more information on L.A.R.E. Administration Dates, Deadlines & Fees
A number of very useful Resources for the new exam are available on the CLARB website page L.A.R.E. Resources for Sections 1-4 such as online practice tests, Orientation Guide and Candidate Checklist.
For more specific information contact:
The CLARB Customer Relations staff
Phone: 571-432-0332
E-mail: info@clarb.org
Web: www.clarb.org
To get involved with a local study group, please contact ASLA Utah’s Emerging Professionals Committee Chair.
Continuing Education
General Requirements
Registered landscape architects must complete during each two (2) year licensure period sixteen (16) hours of continuing education in order to qualify for renewal of an active license.
Deems courses provided by LA CES approved providers as acceptable for continuing education requirements
Contact hour = 50 minutes of course time
8 CH may be carried over to the next biennial reporting period
All CH must have an identifiable, clear statement of purpose and defined objective directly related to the practice of landscape architecture and directly related to topics involving the public health, safety, and welfare of landscape architectural practice and the ethical standards of landscape architectural practice.
Health: shall include aspects of landscape architectural practice that have salutary effects among users of sites, site structures, pedestrian ways, and vehicular facilities that are environmental and affect human health. Examples include all aspects of air quality, provisions of personal hygiene, and use of non‐toxic materials and finishes.
Safety: shall include aspects of landscape architectural practice intended to limit or prevent accidental injury or death among users such as sites, site structures, or construction sites. Examples include safe access and egress within sites and site structures, minimization of slipping hazards on exterior surfaces, correct proportions and visibility of stairs, safety railings, and accommodations for users with disabilities.
Welfare: shall include aspects of landscape architectural practice intended to limit or prevent accidental injury or death among users such as sites, site structures, or construction sites. Examples include safe access and egress within sites and site structures, minimization of slipping hazards on exterior surfaces, correct proportions and visibility of stairs, safety railings, and accommodations for users with disabilities.
Ethical standards: shall include the ASLA Code of Professional Ethics, specified in Subsection R156‐53‐401(4).
Recordkeeping
Licensee has responsibility for maintaining five‐year record (three years after the end of the renewal cycle). Documentation must include the date, title, and contact hours associated with the activity, the name of the provider and the instructor, and the activity objectives. If the activity is self‐directed, the documentation must include the dates of study or research, the title and abstract of the paper/article/book, and the number of contact hours.
It is recommended to keep an active CLARB record to record CE credits.
Exemptions
New licensees in the first renewal period must complete the number of hours in the biennium prorated from the date of initial licensure.Licensees may request a waiver or an extension of time to complete requirement due to a medical or related condition, humanitarian or ecclesiastical services, extended presence in a geographical area where continuing education is not available, etc.
Additional Resources:
Utah Board of Landscape Architects
Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing
160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
(801) 530-6628/(866) 275-3675 (toll free in Utah only)
Tracy Taylor, Board Secretary