LARE Exam Preparation and Study-Guide: North Dakota Landscape Architect License Requirements

North Dakota Landscape Architect License Requirements

How To Get Your First License In North Dakota

North Dakota is a beautiful state with inspiring natural features and rural agrarian landscape. 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 Dakota 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 Dakota.

Age Requirement
Good Character
Professional Education
Landscape Architecture Work Experience
Pass the LARE

Age

You must be over 18 years of age in order to qualify for a landscape architect license. I’m sure this is the easiest requirement to satisfy.

Character

All landscape architect candidates must have a history of good ethical decision-making in order to be granted a license by the state. The stare board will conduct a criminal background investigation. A misdemeanor or felony conviction does not automatically disqualify you from getting a license, however. The board is only concerned with past criminal activity that would likely interfere with your practice of landscape architecture and hurt your clients or the public. If you do have a criminal history, be prepared to explain your history in detail and demonstrate in writing that your past convictions will not interfere with your future performance.

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 three years of acceptable work experience before they can apply for a license in the state of North Dakota. There are several different ways to accomplish this:

All diversified landscape architecture work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect can be used to satisfy the work experience requirement.
You can use up to two years of diversified work experience as a principal or self-employed for creditable work experience.
If you taught in a LAAB-accredited university program, you can substitute one year of teaching experience for professional work experience.
One year of non-diversified landscape architecture work under the supervision of an architect, engineer, or planner can be used to meet the work experience requirement.

As you can see, the state board is pretty generous in what they accept for professional experience. 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.

Pass the LARE

Before you can apply for licensure, you need to pass all sections of the Landscape Architect Registration Exam (LARE). It's easy to sign up for the LARE if you know where to go.

First, establish a Council Record with the Council of Landscape Architect Registration Board's (CLARB) at their website at www.clarb.org. CLARB uses your Council Record to see if you meet their requirements to register for the LARE.
Second, wait for CLARB to evaluate your Council Record. When you qualify to register for the LARE.
Third, sign up for the LARE using the online registration form on CLARB's website.

Signing up for the LARE is simple for candidates. After you get a passing score on each section and meet the education and experience requirements, apply for a landscape architect license with the state board.

Step-by-Step Guide To licensure

Follow these steps to get your license in North Dakota :

Graduate from an approved college program in landscape architecture.
Get a job working under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect. You need three or four years of work experience to apply for a license in North Dakota.
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.
Wait for CLARB to advise you if you are eligible to take the LARE.
Register for the LARE through CLARB's website.
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.
Notify CLARB to transmit you Council Record with your test scores to the North Dakota board.
Apply for a landscape architect license with the North Dakota 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.
Wait for your license to arrive in the mail. Celebrate when you open it...you are now a licensed landscape architect.
Purchase a stamp so you can seal and sign drawings.

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 Dakota, 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?