LARE Exam Preparation and Study-Guide: Landscape Architect License Requirements in Illinois

Landscape Architect License Requirements in Illinois

How To Become A Registered Landscape Architect in the State of Illinois

Illinois is a state full of prairie, woodlands, and rural agrarian landscapes as well as sleek urban centers with world-class examples of fine landscape architecture. There is a lot of opportunity for landscape architects in Illinois. This guides explains the basic requirements needed to obtain a license to practice landscape architecture in Illinois.

Basic Requirements

There are a few basic requirements you must satisfy before you can apply for a landscape architect license in the state of Illinois:

Education

All candidates for licensure need to have an accredited degree in landscape architecture. You can satisfy this requirement with either a bachelors or masters degree as a first professional degree. If you have an undergraduate landscape architecture degree and a masters degree in landscape architecture, you only need one year of work experience.

Work Experience

In order to qualify for an initial license in Illinois, you need to have some professional work experience working under the immediate supervision of a licensed landscape architect, architect, or engineer. Most candidates need two years of work experience before they can apply for licensure.

Pass the LARE Exam

You need to pass all sections of the LARE before you can apply for your landscape architect license. The Council of Landscape Architect Registration Boards (CLARB) administers all sections of the LARE in Illinois. Set up a CLARB Council Record account at CLARB’s website and then apply to take the LARE. After you pass all the LARE sections, request to have your council record forwarded to the Illinois state board.

Step-By-Step Guide to Licensure

Follow these steps on your path to becoming a registered landscape architect in the state of Illinois:

Graduate from a LAAB-accredited landscape architecture program. You will need to send official college transcripts to the board and CLARB to verify your education experience.
Get a job working for an architect, landscape architect, or engineer doing landscape architectural work. Most candidates who do not have a masters and bachelors degree in landscape architecture will need to have two years of documented work experience.
Set up a CLARB Council Record at CLARB’s website. You need to complete all requirements for the Council Record before CLARB will issues a statement of eligibility to take the LARE exam.
Register to take the LARE exam after you receive your notice of eligibility from CLARB. All sections of the LARE are administered by CLARB in Illinois.
Prepare for the LARE. Unfortunately, many candidates don’t pass the LARE on their first attempt according to CLARB’s statistics. You can greatly increase your chances of success through thorough preparation. Read the recommended technical books recommended by CLARB, attempt practice exams at home, join a LARE Google group, or attend a LARE exam preparation workshop. The more you prepare for the exam, the better you will do.
Take and pass all sections of the LARE.
Notify CLARB to send your Council Record (with your passing LARE scores) to the Illinois state board.
Apply for a landscape architect to the Illinois state board. You will need to have the work experience forms completed by your supervisor and sent to the board. Also, have your college send official transcripts to the state board to verify your education experience.
Wait for the state board to notify you of approval and pay the initial licensing fee. Wait for your license to arrive in the mail and celebrate! You are now a licensed landscape architect.
Get a stamp made so you can seal and stamp drawings.

Final Thoughts

While the road towards licensure can seem long and tiring, try to keep your ultimate goal in mind. All the trials, expenses, and tribulations will seem worth it on the day you can scream, “I’m a licensed landscape architect!” Study hard and good luck.

For More Information

For more information on licensure requirements and to get an Illinois landscape architect license application packet, contact the Illinois state board at their website at http://www.idfpr.com/profs/info/LandscapeArch.asp. ASLA also has information on getting and maintaining your landscape architect license on their website at www.asla.org. If you are not already a member of ASLA, consider joining. There are many benefits to belonging to the largest professional organization of landscape architects.

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