Through extensive research and collaboration, the Interorganizational Council on Regulation (ICOR) has developed a practice overlap guidance report that defines professional competencies based on licensure standards, including education, experience and examination. This framework provides a shared understanding of where professional competencies intersect and where they remain distinct across the five design disciplines: architecture, engineering, interior design, landscape architecture and surveying.
Statement of support
"The CLARB Board of Directors formally recognizes and commends the volunteers who contributed their time, insight, and expertise to develop the ICOR Practice Overlap Guidance.
This resource represents significant progress in advancing fair, consistent, and competency-based regulation across the design professions. Grounded in nationally recognized inputs (United States and Canada), including model definitions of practice, accredited education standards, structured experience guidelines, and licensure examination blueprints, the guidance provides a defensible and objective framework for clarifying professional responsibilities in areas where practice may overlap.
The board endorses the use of this resource by CLARB member boards as a tool to support informed decision-making, reduce regulatory friction, and reinforce the credibility and value of licensure. By highlighting where landscape architects, along with other design professionals, are educated, trained, and tested to practice, the guidance strengthens public protection and supports more effective interdisciplinary collaboration.
CLARB encourages all member boards to review and apply this resource in their efforts to modernize regulation, clarify scope of practice, and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and public protection.
The board looks forward to continued collaboration with ICOR and its partner organizations to support the ongoing development of this resource and to strengthen public confidence in the regulation of landscape architecture and the broader design community."
Unanimously approved by the CLARB Board of Directors in December 2025.
In Partnership with:
Interorganizational Council on Regulation
