As you explore our site, some of the terms you'll encounter might be unfamiliar. We've put together this glossary of commonly used words to help you navigate with confidence.
This yearly gathering brings together representatives from CLARB’s member boards for updates on organizational initiatives. It fosters transparency and provides networking opportunities among members, volunteers and staff.
Your formal request submitted to a regulatory authority (CLARB member board) to get a license so that you can practice as a licensed landscape architect in their jurisdiction. The CLARB Record can be used as your application. Your record streamlines the application process because it’s an online, verified record of your education, examination, experience and licensure history conveniently located in one place. You will use your CLARB Record throughout your career to apply for and maintain your licenses.
The American Society of Landscape Architects is the professional association for landscape architects in the United States. Pronounced “A-S-L-A.”
Shorthand for regulatory board or member board. The government entity within a jurisdiction that issues you a license to practice in their jurisdiction.
The formal, written rules that define how our organization operates, governs itself and fulfills our mission. Bylaws establish the association's structure, membership requirements, leadership roles, election procedures and decision-making processes.
An individual who is pursuing a license to practice landscape architecture. Also refers to individuals who are registered to take the L.A.R.E.
Learning activities that licensed landscape architects engage in to maintain their license, stay current with industry developments, and enhance their skills and knowledge. Continuing education requirements vary by jurisdiction. Pronounced “C-E” or “C-E-U.”
Acronym for the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards, a nonprofit association of licensure boards that regulate the practice of landscape architecture across the United States, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands and Canada.
CLARB’s strategic framework that outlines the environment, the impact and the outcomes we strive to accomplish as an organization.
A CLARB credential that streamlines the licensure process by verifying that you have met the Uniform Standard for licensure. CLARB recommends to all member boards that a CLARB Certified Landscape Architect be granted licensure or registration without further review.
Refers to the basic contact information stored in your free online CLARB account.
An online, verified record of your education, examination, experience and licensure history conveniently located in one place. It serves as a common application for licensure across all CLARB member boards.
Bi-weekly eNewsletter sent to CLARB Record Holders that includes the latest updates on the exam, licensure advocacy, upcoming events and highlights from industry news.
One of four sections that comprise the L.A.R.E. It assesses your knowledge surrounding the development of construction documents — with an understanding of construction materials and methodology — to ensure accurate project implementation through effective contract administration processes.
An individual with an active CLARB Record.
Refers to CLARB member boards that allow immediate access to L.A.R.E. registration for candidates with an LAAB- or LAAC-accredited degree.
Future landscape architects who are actively building their skills, professional network and industry knowledge while pursuing licensure. Many emerging professionals gain their required experience while studying for and taking the L.A.R.E.
An outline of the content on the L.A.R.E. Use the exam blueprint in the Orientation Guide to understand what to study for as you prepare to take the L.A.R.E.
Group of licensed landscape architects appointed to develop content for the L.A.R.E. Part of CLARB’s vibrant volunteer community.
Some candidates must first be approved by their licensure board to ensure that they meet their requirements before they can qualify to take the L.A.R.E.
Formerly referred to as a “score release,” this limited transmittal provides only your passing L.A.R.E. results to the licensure board. It does not include the verified education, experience, etc. within your CLARB Record. See also transmittal.
The L.A.R.E. consists of four computer-based, independent exam sections. Use the Orientation Guide to learn more about each section’s content.
If you need your transmittal processed more quickly than normal, you may request expedited service for a fee. Expedited requests are typically reviewed within two business days.
One of four sections that comprise the L.A.R.E. This section measures your ability to evaluate and design grading, drainage, and stormwater management systems that support environmental sustainability and protect public health, safety and welfare.
Commonly used acronym that refers to the Health, Safety and Welfare (or Well-being) of the public. Licensure ensures that professional landscape architects create safe, functional and sustainable environments.
By upholding HSW standards, we prevent hazards, promote public well-being and maintain ethical and professional responsibility in design and construction.
The first license granted to an individual who meets all the requirements to practice a profession in a jurisdiction.
One of four sections that comprise the L.A.R.E. This section evaluates how well you can gather and interpret site and contextual data, assess environmental and regulatory factors, conduct stakeholder engagement processes, and manage project scope, budget and risk.
A survey conducted by CLARB every 5-7 years to research the profession and inform content for the L.A.R.E. Pronounced “J-T-A.”
The state, territory, district, province or other governmental body that regulates landscape architecture. A jurisdiction oversees registration, issues licenses or other credentials, and has enforcement powers to ensure compliance with rules and standards. Regulatory bodies exist to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.
In addition to completing the L.A.R.E., some jurisdictions require you to take an additional test before you can get licensed there.
We've identified these jurisdictions in the licensure requirements.
A four‐part fully computerized examination designed to determine whether applicants for landscape architectural licensure possess the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to practice landscape architecture without endangering the health, safety and welfare of the public. Pronounced “The L-A-R-E” (each letter spelled out), not “the lair.”
The Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LA CES) establishes, maintains and enforces standards for evaluating professional development and continuing education programs for landscape architects. Pronounced “laces” like shoe laces.
The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as the official accrediting body for first professional programs in landscape architecture in the United States. Pronounced “L-A-A-B.”
The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Council (LAAC) is responsible for accrediting professional university undergraduate and graduate degree programs in landscape architecture in Canada. Pronounced “L-A-A-C.”
Connect with CLARB at this annual landscape architecture conference for students. Pronounced “Lah BASH,” not “L-A bash.”
As members of a STEM profession, landscape architects bring science and design together to make our communities better places to live, work and play. Landscape architects create healthy, safe and beautiful places for everyone.
Being a landscape architect requires years of education and experience in addition to passing the L.A.R.E. They are licensed — just like doctors and engineers — to protect the world’s people, places and environment.
Committee members elected by the CLARB membership to recruit, vet and slate candidates for CLARB volunteer leadership positions. Part of CLARB’s vibrant volunteer community. Pronounced “L-A-C,” not "lack."
Virtual training series available to CLARB Record Holders and the landscape architecture community. These free monthly sessions cover a variety of leadership competencies and are led by CLARB volunteers, staff and consultants.
Official permission from the government that allows someone to work as a landscape architect. It shows that the person has the right education, training and skills to do the job safely.
A person or business that holds an active license to practice landscape architecture.
A volunteer committee of member board executives appointed by CLARB’s president who provide board executive input to the organization’s goals, strategy and scope of work. Part of CLARB’s vibrant volunteer community.
The 56 licensure boards across the United States, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands and Canada that are legally authorized to register and discipline landscape architects in a political jurisdiction.
A regulatory board staff member who is broadly responsible for the management and administration of the member board.
An individual who serves on a regulatory board/agency as a volunteer board member. Typically these positions are appointed by the governor. If you’re interested in serving as a member board member for your jurisdiction, reach out to CLARB for more information.
An employee who works for a regulatory board.
Enables professionals to practice their licensed profession across state/country lines without major obstacles.
Mobility is the ability for someone with a professional license in one jurisdiction to get licensed in another jurisdiction without having to go through the full licensing process again.
It allows people to work in different places more easily if they have already met the standards in one location, making it simpler for professionals like landscape architects to move or work across geographic boundaries. See also reciprocity.
PDF document that includes everything you need to know about the L.A.R.E.
Acronym for Professional Landscape Architect. The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) encourages all licensed landscape architects to use the post-nominal letters “PLA” after their names.
This designation enables clients and the general public to identify licensed practitioners and provides consistent recognition for the landscape architecture profession. Pronounced “P-L-A.” See also RLA.
One of four sections that comprise the L.A.R.E. This section tests your understanding of site planning, spatial organization and design principles to create sustainable and functional landscapes.
A law that defines the requirements to legally work as a landscape architect in a jurisdiction. See related title act.
Refers to situations where professionals from different disciplines perform similar or identical services that fall within both of their scopes of practice.
Similarly, incidental practice refers to when a professional performs services that technically fall within another profession's domain but are reasonably incidental to their primary practice and within their competence.
As landscape architecture intersects with architecture, engineering, interior design and surveying, CLARB is actively addressing practice overlap through its work with the Interorganizational Council on Regulation (ICOR) alongside NCARB, NCEES and CIDQ.
CLARB’s chosen partner to administer the L.A.R.E. both at brick-and-mortar Testing Centers and online proctored exams. Pronounced “P-S-I.”
A license issued based on agreements between jurisdictions, allowing individuals who are already licensed in one jurisdiction to obtain a license in another jurisdiction, typically without repeating the entire licensing process. See also reciprocity.
When two or more jurisdictions agree to recognize each other's professional license requirements — such as those in the CLARB Uniform Standard — it helps landscape architects work in multiple jurisdictions without needing to go through a completely new licensing process each time.
CLARB recommends to all member boards that CLARB Certified Landscape Architects be granted licensure or registration without further review. See also mobility.
Refers to the rules and laws that a government creates to make sure landscape architects are qualified and do their work safely and competently. If someone breaks the rules, they might lose their license or face other penalties.
The process of periodically updating and extending your professional license so that you can continue working as a licensed landscape architect. It often involves submitting an application, paying a fee and completing continuing education. Renewal must be completed before your license expires to avoid any penalties or gaps in legal permission to work.
A CLARB initiative to improve landscape architecture licensure by reducing barriers, streamlining processes and increasing access for all. We focus on aligning policies across the U.S. and Canada through a Uniform Standard for Licensure, simplifying the application process with a common licensure application (known as the CLARB Record), and working with member boards to speed up both initial and reciprocal licensing. Through research and reform, Rethinking Regulation will help make licensure clearer, faster and more accessible.
Acronym for the Registered Landscape Architect credential. Pronounced “R-L-A.” See also PLA.
Refers to the percentage of your experience that must be completed under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect.
An individual who verifies the experience information that was entered into a CLARB Record by the CLARB Record Holder.
CLARB’s exam delivery partner PSI offers a global network of “brick-and-mortar" secure, computerized testing centers where you can take the L.A.R.E. You may also choose to take the L.A.R.E. through online proctoring.
Refers to the Education, Examination and Experience requirements you must meet in order to become licensed. These requirements vary by jurisdiction.
A law that focuses on who can use a certain job title. For instance, only people with the right license can call themselves a "landscape architect" in some jurisdictions. See related practice act.
Once you have completed The Three E’s and you are ready to apply for licensure, CLARB conveniently and securely sends your CLARB Record to your licensure board.
A transmittal fee applies for this service. Expedited service is available.
Some candidates will need to request an additional transmittal earlier in the process before you can register to take the L.A.R.E. There is no additional fee to transmit your CLARB Record to the regulatory board for exam approval.
Also known as the CLARB Record, this is the recommended common application for licensure across all CLARB member jurisdictions. It contains verified documentation of an applicant’s education, experience, examination and licensure history.
Shorthand for the "CLARB Uniform Licensure Standard for Landscape Architecture," a recommended policy for consistent, defensible and accessible licensure requirements.
A regulatory framework that allows professionals who hold a valid license in one jurisdiction to obtain licensure in another jurisdiction through an expedited process.
Unlike the CLARB Uniform Standard, which establishes consistent requirements across jurisdictions, universal licensure laws focus on recognizing existing licenses regardless of potential variations in underlying requirements. This distinction can sometimes create regulatory inconsistencies when universal licensing bills treat in-state and out-of-state applicants differently.
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