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

Pennsylvania Landscape Architect License Requirements

How To Guide for Landscape Architect Candidates

Pennsylvania has a long history of landscape architecture and design that has enhanced the environment and urban areas. Landscape architects help protect the public's health, safety, and welfare. You can get a license to practice landscape architecture in Pennsylvania with a landscape architect license. Use this easy to follow guide to walk through the steps towards licensure.

Basic License Requirements

Before you can apply for a landscape architecture license in Pennsylvania, you need to complete a few prerequisites. These requirements fall into three basic requirements:

Professional Education
Landscape Architecture Work Experience
Pass the LARE

Education

There are a few different ways you can satisfy the education requirement for an initial landscape architect license in Pennsylvania.

Accredited Degree in Landscape Architecture

Graduating from a LAAB-accredited landscape architecture program is the most preferred way to meet the education requirement. Either a masters degree or a bachelors degree are acceptable. Landscape architect candidates must have three years of work experience under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect before applying for licensure. See the discussion below for more information about acceptable work experience.

Non-Accredited Landscape Architecture Degree or Other Degree

What if you have a non-accredited landscape architecture degree? You can a still use a non-accredited landscape architect degree or a degree in a related profession to qualify for licensure. In addition to three years of work experience under a the supervision of a licensed landscape architect, you need to use any combination of the credits below to get five additional years of experience credit.

non-accredited BLA or MLA (four years credit)
NAAB-accredited BArch or MArch (four years credit)
ABET-accredited degree in civil engineering (four years credit)
Any other bachelor’s degree not mentioned above (2 years credit)

Scenarios

Other Professional Degree: For example, Joseph has a NAAB-accredited degree in architecture and wants to become a landscape architect. His architecture degree counts for four credits. He can get the other credit by working under the direct supervision of a civil engineer, architect or planner for one year. Before Jason can apply for a landscape architect license, he must have three years of diversified work experience under the direct supervision of a landscape architect and meet all other prerequisites.

Non-Professional Degree: Katharine has a bachelors degree in English, but she has been working in engineering and landscape architect offices for several years. Her bachelors degree is worth two credits. She needs three more credits to meet the education requirement. Her work experience in a civil engineering office for two years counts for two credits and her time working for a planner for a year is worth one credit. This combination of a college degree and professional work experience adds up to five credits. Now, Katharine needs three years of professional work experience under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect before she can meet the education and work experience requirements.

No College Degree

If you do not have a college degree at all, there is still a way to become a licensed landscape architect in Pennsylvania. In lieu of the education requirements, an applicant may qualify with eight years of experience under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect. You still need to pass the LARE.

Work Experience

All candidates for licensure must have three years of diversified landscape architecture work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect. You will submit employment verifications when you apply for licensure and your current and previous employers on the form provided by the state licensing board.

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 Pennsylvania :

Graduate from a LAAB-accredited college program in landscape architecture.
Get a job working under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect. Most candidates with a traditional landscape architecture degree need three years of work experience to apply for a license in Pennsylvania.
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 Pennsylvania board.
Apply for a landscape architect license with the Pennsylvania 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.
Take professional development/continuing education courses. You need to complete enough continuing education in order to renew your 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 Pennsylvania, 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.

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