LARE Exam Preparation and Study-Guide: New Hampshire Landscape Architect License Requirements

New Hampshire Landscape Architect License Requirements

How-To Guide to Professional Licensure

New Hampshire is a charming state with a long history of of built spaces and natural and agrarian landscapes. Landscape architects help preserve the natural environment and protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare and create beautiful, usable space. Follow the advice in this article to get licensed to practice landscape architecture in New Hampshire.

Basic Requirements

There are a few requirements that landscape architect candidates need to complete before applying for a landscape architect license in New Hampshire.

Good Character
Professional Education
Landscape Architecture Work Experience

Character

You must posses good character and have a past history of ethical decision-making to qualify for a landscape architect license in the state of New Hampshire. Your application may be disqualified for the following reasons:

“Evidence of past disciplinary action taken by another licensing body or a professional society or association, which indicates the applicant cannot be relied upon to practice competently, safely and honestly, or adhere to the standards of conduct required by” New Hampshire laws and regulations.

“Evidence of conviction of a felony or misdemeanor indicates the applicant cannot be relied upon to practice competently, safely and honestly, or adhere to the ethical standards required” by New Hampshire state laws, regulations, and code of conduct.

“Evidence of behavior that would violate the ethical standards...” in the state codes that “...indicates the applicant cannot be relied upon to practice competently, safely and honestly, or adhere to the ethical standards required by...” New Hampshire state law and regulation.

For most candidates, the above stated issues will not be a problem or hinderance towards licensure. If you do have a checkered past, be prepared to explain your past history to the board in writing and attempt to demonstrate how your past behavior will not affect your future performance as a landscape architect.

Education

All candidates for licensure must have some sort of college education in landscape architecture or a related field combined with work experience. The amount of work experience required depends on your education background.

An undergraduate degree in landscape architecture from a LAAB-accredited landscape architecture program (4 or 5 year) requires three years of work experience before your are eligible for licensure. All three years of work experience shall be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect.

If you have a non-accredited undergraduate degree in landscape architecture or a four-year degree “in a related field including, but not limited to, engineering, architecture, geology, geography, planning, botany, forestry, environmental design, garden design, environmental studies, environmental science, ecology or soil science” you can apply for licensure after five years of creditable work experience. Three of the five years must be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect.

If you have an undergraduate and graduate degree in landscape architecture, you can apply the graduate degree towards one year of professional work experience. A Ph.D. in landscape architecture can be applied towards two years of professional work experience.

The state of New Hampshire does not have any provisions for candidates who have extensive work experience but little formal education in landscape architecture.

As you can see, there are several ways to meet the professional education requirement.

Work Experience

Every candidate needs to have at least three years of work experience in the profession. The work experience needs to be exclusively about landscape architecture and should show a progression of responsibility and complexity as you grow as a professional. Your work experience needs to be supervised by a licensed landscape architect. However, if you believe you have work experience that you think should qualify but was not conducted under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect, you may petition the board and explain why they should count the work experience.

You may not count time spent working for a landscape contractor implementing landscape design plans completed by others.

Teaching experience in a LAAB-accredited university program that is at least four years in length may count for one year of work experience.

A LAAB-accredited masters degree in landscape architecture that was granted after earning an undergraduate degree in landscape architecture may be counted for a year of experience. A Ph.D. in landscape architecture that was completed under the same conditions as stated above may be used to satisfy two years of the work experience requirement.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps as you walk on the path towards licensure:

Graduate from a LAAB-accredited landscape architecture program.
Get a job working under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect. The amount of work experience you need will to have is determined by your level of education. See the discussion on education above to find out how much you need before applying for licensure.
Apply for licensure with the New Hampshire state licensing board. Download and complete the application on their website and mail it in.
Register for the LARE through the Council of Landscape Architect Registration boards’ website at www.clarb.org.
Prepare for the LARE. Many candidates find the LARE to be extremely challenging. Increase you odds of success by studying. Read all the landscape architecture technical books recommended by CLARB, take a practice exam, join a Google LARE group, or attend a LARE workshop. Candidates who come prepared do much better than those who think the don't need to study.
Take and pass all sections of the LARE.
Wait for your landscape architect license in the mail.
Get a seal made so you can sign and stamp drawings.
Keep your license up-to-date. New Hampshire requires continuing education classes as a condition to renew your landscape architect license.

Final Thoughts

The road to licensure can be long an full of frustrations along the way. Don't lose hope. Many aspiring landscape architects have stood where you are and have achieved their dream of becoming a registered landscape architect. Prepare for the LARE and find the best work experience you can. The broader your professional knowledge, the better you will do on the exams. You’ll also become a better, more competent landscape architect. You can do it, too.

For More Information

For more information on landscape architect license requirements in New Hampshire , visit the state licensing board's website. You will find current laws and regulations as well as applications for when you are ready to apply.

Also, check out the American Society of Landscape Architects website for more information on licensure.

Related Articles:

State Landscape Architecture License Requirements

LARE Passing Rates

LARE Workshops...Are Workshops Worth the Cost?

Why Get a Landscape Architect License?