architecture is necessary to protect the public health, safety, * DC does not regulate landscape architecture and welfare. All but three states regulate the profession through a practice act, which requires a experience a licensed landscape architect in that license to practice the profession state. Many states provide some flexibility for educational and use the title architect’. The remaining ‘landscape background, allowing candidates with more years of three states have enacted title act statutes, which is a experience to qualify without an accredited degree, weaker form of regulation that allows anyone to practice reducing barriers to entry into the profession. landscape architecture if they call it something else. EXAMINATION A practice act is important because of the real danger to clients and the users of these public and private spaces: All states require every candidate to pass the four-part physical injury; property damage; and financial ruin. Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE). While education and experience standards States typically follow the three-step process to earn ensure each candidate has been prepared to enter the licensure common among the design professions: profession, the LARE provides a definitive measure of education, experience, and examination. competence to ensure each landscape architect will protect the public health, safety, and welfare. EDUCATION Skills tested include: project development; site suitability; Most landscape architects have an accredited degree in stormwater management; erosion control; hydrology; and landscape architecture. The Landscape Architectural irrigation. Candidates also must demonstrate competence Accreditation Board in such as: layout of playground equipment; vehicular (LAAB) accredits bachelor- and master-level and pedestrian circulation; roadway alignment design; site programs at 68 institutions across the United States. lighting layouts; manipulation of contours and spot elevations; calculations of slopes, grades, and EXPERIENCE volumes of material; design of surface and subsurface storm drainage, including hydraulic characteristics and Most states require that landscape architects have storm drain connections; and site planning for buildings. 2–4 years Support Licensure
architecture is necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. All but three states regulate the profession through a practice act, which requires a license to practice the profession and use the title ‘landscape architect’. The remaining three states have enacted title act statutes, which is a weaker form of regulation that allows anyone to practice landscape architecture if they call it something else. A practice act is important because of the real danger to clients and the users of these public and private spaces: physical injury; property damage; and financial ruin. States typically follow the three-step process to earn licensure common among the design professions: education, experience, and examination. EDUCATION Most landscape architects have an accredited degree in landscape architecture. The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) accredits bachelor- and master-level programs at 68 institutions across the United States. EXPERIENCE Most states require that landscape architects have 2–4 years * DC does not regulate landscape architecture experience a licensed landscape architect in that state. Many states provide some flexibility for educational background, allowing candidates with more years of experience to qualify without an accredited degree, reducing barriers to entry into the profession. EXAMINATION All states require every candidate to pass the four-part Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE). While education and experience standards ensure each candidate has been prepared to enter the profession, the LARE provides a definitive measure of competence to ensure each landscape architect will protect the public health, safety, and welfare. Skills tested include: project development; site suitability; stormwater management; erosion control; hydrology; and irrigation. Candidates also must demonstrate competence in such as: layout of playground equipment; vehicular and pedestrian circulation; roadway alignment design; site lighting layouts; manipulation of contours and spot elevations; calculations of slopes, grades, and volumes of material; design of surface and subsurface storm drainage, including hydraulic characteristics and storm drain connections; and site planning for buildings. Support Licensure
2013%20Licensure%20Fact%20Sheet.docx