Approved by the CLARB Board of Directors December 2022.
Applicants for CLARB Certification must obtain eight (8) years of experience in the practice of landscape architecture. This experience may be obtained through a combination of education and work experience as outlined below.
Section 1
Education evaluation criteria
A. If an applicant holds an LAAB- or LAAC-accredited degree in landscape architecture, they receive six (6) years of credit towards the required eight (8), regardless of program length; or
B. If an applicant holds a nonaccredited degree or certificate in landscape architecture, then the applicant may be credited with one (1) year of experience for each year of schooling completed up to a maximum of four (4) years of credited experience; or
C. If an applicant holds any secondary degree or certificate, then the applicant may be credited with six (6) months of experience for each one (1) year of schooling completed, up to a maximum of two (2) years of credited experience; or
D. If an applicant does not hold any secondary degree or certification, then the applicant must obtain the full eight (8) years of experience to meet the requirement.
Note: Degrees cannot be combined to satisfy the education and experience requirement. Accredited degrees in landscape architecture received up to two (2) years prior to the accreditation of the program will be accepted as an accredited degree. Any degree awarded after a program has ceased to be accredited will not be accepted as an accredited degree.
Section 2
Experience evaluation criteria
A. Work experience must be obtained in the regulated practice of landscape architecture under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect or a licensed professional in a related field which involves the planning, design, management and nurturing of the built and natural environments.
B. “Direct supervision” is defined as overseeing the individual’s work by reviewing, directing and/or monitoring through regular personal contact and/or remote communication.
C. A “licensed professional” is defined as an individual who is legally recognized to practice by a governmental agency or credentialing body.
Note: If you practice outside of the United States or Canada and would like to have your supervisor’s country of practice reviewed by CLARB for recognition as “licensed,” please contact CLARB.
D. In lieu of verified work experience as outlined above, an applicant may submit eight (8) years of experience in the regulated practice of landscape architecture as a principal. A “principal” is defined as a licensed landscape architect in good standing.
E. Practice experience may be earned for every hour worked in the regulated domains of landscape architecture under the direct supervision of a licensed professional. Experience credit may be obtained in either full- or part-time employment.
- A year of full-time experience is defined as 2,080 hours, based on an average of 40 hours per week over 52 weeks.
- The maximum experience credit an applicant can earn in a calendar year is one (1) year (2,080 hours).
- Experience will be documented based on the average hours worked per week.
Note: This ensures applicants can earn full-time credit but cannot exceed one year’s worth of experience within a single calendar year.
F. Full-time teaching experience is defined as FTE (Full Time Equivalent) 1.0 for at least two consecutive months. Part-time teaching experience is defined as FTE 0.5 or 0.75 for at least four consecutive months. 75% (or 9 months for every year) of full-time teaching experience is credited toward the experience requirement. 33% (or 4.5 months for every one year) of part-time teaching experience is credited toward the experience requirement. Experience earned in employment consisting of a status lower than FTE 0.5 does not count toward the experience requirement.
G. To be considered “experience[d] in the regulated practice of landscape architecture,” an applicant must gain experience in the following practice domains as determined by the current version of the Job Task Analysis Study to ensure competency necessary to protect the public and the environment:
- Inventory, Analysis and Project Management: includes project management, inventory and data collection, stakeholder engagement process, physical analysis, and contextual analysis; and
- Planning and Design: stewardship and design principles, master planning, schematic design, design development; and
- Construction Documentation and Administration: includes construction plans and details, construction specifications and bidding, and construction administration; and
- Grading, Drainage, and Stormwater Management: includes stormwater management, grading and earthwork, and drainage systems.
H. For applicants who were CLARB Certified prior to January 1, 2023, in lieu of the education and experience requirements outlined above, verification of current licensure with good standing plus a minimum of eight (8) years of verified licensure in landscape architecture, in good standing status.
Section 3
Examination evaluation criteria
Note: For candidates not licensed before January 1, 2008, any sections of the exam completed prior to 1992 will no longer be accepted for transition credit towards satisfaction of the examination standard for CLARB Certification.
A. Successful completion of the CLARB registration examination where the examination administration and grading were conducted in accordance with CLARB's standards in effect at the time is required.
B. In lieu of passing the CLARB registration examination, satisfaction of one of the following (b.1 – b.6):
B.1 For applicants initially licensed without successfully completing a written examination, satisfaction of both b.1.a and b.1.b:
B.1.a 10 years of diversified experience in landscape architecture; at least seven years of which must occur after licensure; and
B.1.b Successful completion of the CLARB Reciprocity Validation Examination between the years of 1997 to 1999.
B.2 Successful completion of written examination prepared by a member board prior to 1970 and 10 years of diversified experience in landscape architecture after licensure.
B.3 Successful completion of a written examination prepared by a member board between the years 1970 to 1975.
B.4 Successful completion of the British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects written examination, five years of diversified experience in landscape architecture after licensure and satisfaction of the education and experience requirements.
B.5 Successful completion of the California P.E.L.A., satisfaction of the licensure, education and experience requirements, as well as successful completion of L.A.R.E. Sections D & E.
B.6 For applicants initially licensed in British Columbia or Ontario without successfully completing the L.A.R.E., satisfaction of b.6.a and b.6.b as follows:
B.6.a 10 years of diversified experience in landscape architecture; at least seven years of which must occur after licensure; and
B.6.b Successful completion of the CLARB Reciprocity Validation Examination between the years 1997-1999.
