How to Get a Landscape Architect License in Alabama

Alabama Landscape Architect License Requirements

Step-By-Step Guide to Licensure

Railroad Park, Birmingham, Alabama.
Photo by Nate Dreger Photo

Alabama requires anybody who practices landscape architecture in the state to have a license. There are several ways you can qualify for a landscape architect's license. 

Basic License Requirements

You need to meets few basic requirement to qualify for a landscape architect license in Alabama.

1. Demonstrate to the Alabama state board that you have at least six years of experience in the field of landscape architecture. We will discuss different ways to satisfy the experience requirement in the next section.
2. Pass the LARE exam.

Paths to Licensure

Alabama offers many pathways to licensure. Here are a few ways that you can use to meet the state's education and experience requirements.

Example 1: You graduated from college with an accredited four-year bachelors degree in landscape architecture. Alabama's registration board allows you to count you to apply each year of education to the experience requirement. Therefore, your four-year degree equals four years of experience. Now, you only need two years of experience working under the direct supervision of a landscape architect to complete the six year experience requirement.

Example 2: You have successfully completed a five-year BLA program. You can apply five years of college education towards the six years of experience required by the state of Alabama. You only need one additional year of professional experience working under the direct supervision of a landscape architect to complete the experience prerequisite.

Example 3: After completing an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field, you decided to go back to college and earn a masters degree in landscape architecture from an accredited program. The degree took three years to complete. You can apply the three years of graduate education in landscape architecture towards the six rears of experience required by the state of Alabama. You still need to get three additional years of experience working under the direct supervision of a landscape architect.

Example 4: After high school, you started working for a licensed landscape architect and have acquired six years of varied experience in all aspects of landscape architecture. You never finished a college degree in landscape architecture, however. That is still  O.K. In the state of Alabama. As long as you have six years of of work experience in the field supervised by a licensed landscape architect, you are still qualified for a landscape architect license in Alabama.

Step-by-Step Guide to Licensure in Alabama

1. Graduate from an accredited landscape architecture degree or work for a licensed landscape architect for six years.
2. Get six years of experience in the field of landscape architecture. You can mix and match education and job experience to meet the six year requirement.
3. Set up a Council Record with CLARB.
4. Submit an application to the Alabama registration board.
5. Register for the LARE with the state of Alabama. See their website for more information on registering for the exams.
6. Prepare for the LARE. You will need to study. Most landscape architect candidates do not pass every section the first time based on CLARB's own data. Therefore, it is in your best interest to prepare. Read the books recommended by CLARB, challenge yourself with a practice exam, or attend a LARE workshop. The more you prepare, the better your chances are at passing.
7. Pass all sections of the LARE.
8. After you pass the LARE and have met the six year experience requirement, you will receive a letter with instructions from the Alabama state board.
9. Pay the license fee and wait for your license to come in the mail.
10. Get a rubber stamp made so you can stamp and sign drawings.

Final Thoughts

The licensure process can be time consuming and frustrating at times. Don't get discouraged. Many others have gone before you and you can be successful, too. Prepare for the LARE and study hard and you will be successful.

Related Articles:

• State Landscape Architecture License Requirements
• LARE Passing Rates
• LARE Workshops...Are Workshops Worth the Cost?
• Why Get a Landscape Architect License?
• Recommended Reading
• Practice Exams
• Upcoming LARE Workshops
• Free LARE Exam Preparation Resources

Disclaimer: The information posted here is for your convenience only and was believed to be up-to-date at the time of writing.  Please check with state licensure boards and CLARB for the latest information.  If you find something on this post is out-of-date or inaccurate, please send me a note. Thanks and good luck with your career in landscape architecture.