North Carolina Landscape Architect License Requirements

North Carolina Landscape Architect License Requirements

How To Get Your First License In North Carolina 

North Carolina is a beautiful Southern state with inspiring natural forests and mountains and vibrant urban areas. Landscape architects play a positive role in the community by protecting and enhancing nature and creating beautiful spaces for people. Get licensed to practice landscape architecture in North Carolina and partake in the action.

Basic License Requirements

There are a few basic requirements that you must satisfy before you can apply for a landscape architect license in North Carolina .

• Professional Education
• Landscape Architecture Work Experience

Education

You need a first professional degree in landscape architecture from a LAAB-accredited program. Either a masters degree or bachelors degree can be used to meet the education requirement. However, no additional credit is given if you have both an undergraduate and graduate degree in landscape architecture. 

Work Experience

All landscape architect candidates need to have four years (8,000 hours) of acceptable work experience before they can apply for a license in the state of North Carolina . Your work experience must have been conducted under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect. 

All of your professional work experience must have been completed after you graduated from college (so you can’t include that really cool internship during college). Your employment history will be verified when you apply for a CLARB Council Record and the state license.

Step-by-Step Guide To licensure

Follow these steps to get your license in North Carolina  :

1. Graduate from a LAAB-accredited college program in landscape architecture.
2. Get a job working under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect. You need four years (8,000 hours) of work experience to apply for a license in North Carolina .
3. Apply for a landscape architect license with the North Carolina state licensing board. Have your college send official transcripts directly to the board. Send experience verification forms to employers and colleagues who can impartially evaluate your professional experience.
4. Create a CLARB Council Record at www.clarb.com. You will need to verify your work experience and education with CLARB. You can start you Council Record after graduation.
5. Register for the LARE through CLARB's website.
6. 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.
7. Take and pass all sections of the LARE.
8. Wait for your license to arrive in the mail. Celebrate when you open it...you are now a licensed landscape architect.
9. Purchase a stamp so you can seal and sign drawings.
10. Maintain your license through continuing education. North Carolina requires all landscape architects to take 10 hours of professional development training each year.

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 North Carolina , 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?
• 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.