Maryland Landscape Architecture License Requirements

Maryland Landscape Architecture License Requirements

How To Guide For Your Initial Landscape Architect License

Maryland is one of the original states of the union and is well-known for its spectacular coastal areas and historic landscapes. Registered landscape architects protect the people's health, safety, and welfare. Get your landscape architect license and join the ranks of those who protect the environment and create beauty on the land.

Basic Requirements

Education

There are two ways to meet the professional education requirement. The first (and most common) way is to graduate from a board-approved college program in landscape architecture. 

If you do not have a college degree but have many years of work experience, you can apply for licensure using the non-academic option. The non-academic route requires eight years of professional work experience that the board finds to be acceptable.

Work Experience

You need to get a total of six years of creditable experience in landscape architecture to  meet the state board's requirements to sit for the LARE. Up to four years of your education can be counted as experience. That means that most candidates need two years of work experience. Your work experience must be completed after you graduate from college and under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect. You will have to document your work history when you apply for licensure.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps on you path to professional registration:

1. Graduate from a college-level landscape architecture program. The Maryland state board only will give credit for programs on their approved list (which looks like a list of LAAB-accredited schools). Send official college transcripts to the board when toy apply for a landscape architecture license.
2. Get work experience in the profession working under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architecture. Most candidates need at leas two years of work experience to qualify for licensure.
3. Apply for a landscape architect license withe the Maryland state board. Check out the board's website to download an application packet. 
4. Wait for the state board to notify you that you are eligible to take the LARE.
5. Register to take the multiple-choice sections of the LARE with the Council of Landscape Architect Registration Board's (CLARB) website. You must wait for Maryland to notify CLARB of your eligibility.
6. Register for the graphic sections of the LARE through the Maryland board. The administer Sections C and E.
7. Prepare for the LARE. Many candidates are surprised when the first take the LARE exam at how difficult it is. In fact, CLARB's own statistics show that many candidates don't pass every section the first time. This doesn't have to be your experience, however. Increase your chances of success by preparing for the LARE. Read the landscape architecture technical books recommended by CLARB, join a LARE Google group, try a practice test at home, or attend a LARE workshop.
8. Take and pass all sections of the LARE. Once you pass and pay all the licensing fees, the Maryland licensing board will send you your license. 
9. Make a rubber stamp so you can deal and sign drawings.

Final Thoughts

While the road to getting a landscape architect license can be challenging, achieving you goal of becoming a licensed landscape architect is sweet. Do what you can to get a diversified practical experience and study hard for the LARE. The steps you take today will make you a better landscape architect.

For More Information

For more information about state license requirements an deadlines, visit the Maryland state board at the website. ASLA also has a lot of information on state licensure requirements on their website at www.asla.org. 

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.