Why a Landscape Architect License is Important

Why is it important for Landscape Architects to Become Licensed?

States are responsible for protecting their residents from violation of the public health, safety, and welfare. State licensure of landscape architects protects the public health, safety, and welfare.

Central Park in New York City. Image by ZeroOne.

Public safety is the most compelling argument why landscape architects should be licensed.  Many projects designed by landscape architects are accessible by the public.  In order to protect the safety of the public, landscape architects must be able to develop design solutions that will not harm the public's health, safety, and welfare. Only licensed professionals with academic training and professional experience can qualify to take the LARE and become licensed landscape architects.  The licensure process ensures that landscape architects received the proper training and professional development and skills so that their design work does not harm the public.

When unlicensed people perform work typically reserved for landscape architects, the results can threaten public health and safety.  Therefore, most states have some sort of registration process to certify landscape architects. Landscape architect licensure protects the public health, safety, and welfare.

What is the difference between a Landscape Architect and a Landscape Designer?

Landscape architects are licensed professionals; landscape designers are not licensed by the state. Landscape designers cannot perform the full range of landscape architecture activities and services that licensed landscape architects can perform for their clients. Only landscape architects can develop design solutions where the public health, safety, and welfare is at risk.

Licensed Landscape Architects Earn More than Landscape Designers

Many landscape architects are self-employed. A U.S. Department of Labor survey found that the median salary for landscape architects was $66,880 (May, 2010). Licensed landscape architects command higher salaries and are able to establish their own companies unlike unlicensed garden designers.