Indiana Landscape Architect License Requirements

Indiana Landscape Architect License Requirements

How to Become a Registered Landscape Architect In Indiana

Indiana is a state full of contrasting urban centers and idyllic rural agrarian landscapes. Landscape architects play in important role in integrating and protecting these landscapes and the public’s health, safety, and welfare. Getting your landscape architect registration in Indiana will let you participate in making the state a better place.

Basic Requirements

There are some basic prerequisites that you must satisfy before you can apply for a license to practice landscape architecture in the state of Indiana.

Minimum Age

You cannot become a licensed landscape architect before your 18^th birthday. For most candidates, this is the easiest requirement to satisfy.

Education

You have two ways to satisfy the education requirement for an initial landscape architect license in Indiana.

Most landscape architect license candidates complete an accredited university degree in landscape architecture. The board will accept either a bachelors or masters degree in landscape architecture. There is no licensure benefit from possessing both a masters and bachelors degree in landscape architecture. To verify your educational experience in landscape architecture, you will notify you educational institution to send official transcripts to the state board and CLARB.

What if you don’t have a landscape architect college degree? There is a way to become a licensed landscape architect without a professional degree. You can substitute a degree for eight years of practical experience in landscape architecture “of a grade and character satisfactory to the board”.

Work Experience

Candidates need to have three years of documentable “diversified, actual, and practical experience in landscape architectural work of a grade and character satisfactory to the board”. The easiest way to satisfy this requirement is to work under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect. You will have to verify your work experience to both CLARB and the Indiana board with work experience documentation forms.

Pass the LARE

The state of Indiana requires candidates for licensure to pass all sections of the LARE prior to applying for a landscape architect license. The Council of Landscape Architect Registration Boards (CLARB) administers the LARE in Indiana. Before you can register for the LARE exam, you need to visit CLARB’s website and establish a Council Record. After CLARB evaluates your Council Record, they will send you a statement of eligibility to register for the LARE. Register for the LARE through CLARB’s website.

Criminal Background Check

The Indiana state board will run a criminal background investigation on your when you apply for licensure. They check for “an act that would constitute a ground for disciplinary action under IC 25-1-11 or...a felony that has a direct bearing on the applicant's ability to practice competently.” If you have some serious misdemeanors or a felony on your record, start thinking of how you will explain your situation to the board and how you can persuade the board that your history will have no bearing on your future and should not disqualify you from practicing landscape architecture in the state.

Step-by-Step Guide to Licensure

Follow this step-by-step guide on the path to getting your first landscape architect license:

1. Graduate from a LAAB-accredited college landscape architecture program.
2. Get three years of practical work experience in landscape architecture. You will need to verify your work experience with CLARB and the state board. Don’t burn any bridges with past employers since they will complete the work experience verification forms.
3. Create a CLARB Council Record. Complete the record with all the required information and wait for CLARB to send you a statement of eligibility to register for the LARE exam.
4. Register for the LARE exam through CLARB’s website.
5. Prepare for the LARE exam. It is very unfortunate, but many candidates don’t pass each section on the first attempt. CLARB’s own statistics show that the passing rates on several sections is really quite dismal. This doesn’t have to be your story, however. You can greatly improve your chances of success by diligently studying for the LARE. Read the landscape architecture technical books recommended by CLARB, study at home with practice exams, join a LARE Google study group, or attend a LARE exam preparation workshop. The more you know and the better you prepare, the better your chances of success on exam day.
6. Take and pass all sections of the LARE. Once you have passed all sections, have CLARB forward your Council Record (with passing test scores) the the Indiana state board.
7. Apply for initial landscape architect license with the Indiana state board. You can find the licensure application on their website at http://www.in.gov/pla/architect.htm.
8. Wait for your landscape architect license in the mail and celebrate when it arrives! Congratulations, you are now a licensed landscape architect.
9. Get a stamp made so you can stamp and seal landscape architecture drawings.

Final Thoughts

The road to licensure can be tough and full of pot holes. Just remember that many others have traveled the road and have become licensed landscape architects. You can be successful, too.  Keep the ending goal in mind. Don’t let temporary setbacks discourage you. Do what you can to get the broadest work experience possible and study for the LARE exam. Many others have been successful. You can become a successfully licensed landscape architect, too.  Study hard and good luck.

For More Information

For more information on becoming a licensed landscape architect in the state of Indiana, check out the state board’s website at http://www.in.gov/pla/architect.htm. The website features application instructions and checklists as well as state laws and regulations.

Also, check out the American Society of Landscape Architects’ (ASLA) website at www.asla.org for more information on licensure-related topics. If you are not a member of ASLA, consider joining. 

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.