Wyoming Landscape License Requirements

Wyoming Landscape Architect License Requirements

Get Licensed in Wyoming

Wyoming is a big state with striking natural landscapes and diverse plant communities. Landscape architects work with other engineers and design professionals to protect the natural environment.

Basic Requirements

Landscape near Casper, Wyoming. Photo by fjlehnerz.

There are a few basic requirements you must meet in order to become a registered landscape architect.

Character

You need to demonstrate that you are a person of good character and integrity. This is done by having employers and coworkers complete experience forms that they send to the Wyoming board. The board also checks you criminal history to see if you have been convicted of a felony. A felony conviction may not necessarily prevent you from becoming licensed, but you will need to explain the circumstances behind the conviction and convince the board that your criminal history will not impact your ability to practice landscape architecture and protect the public's health, safety, and welfare.

Education

You need to have a degree in landscape architecture from a LAAB-accredited institution. However, you can still qualify if your school was accredited up to two years after you graduated. You can qualify with either a bachelors degree or masters degree in landscape architecture. Wyoming’s state board will not give you any additional credit if you have more than one degree in landscape architecture. Have your college send official transcripts to the state board when you send In your application. 

Professional Experience

Professional experience is an important aspect of the professional development of new landscape architects. To qualify for a landscape architect license, you need to demonstrate that you have had three years of diversified landscape architecture experience.

There are several ways to meet Wyoming’s professional experience requirement. The easiest way is to work for a landscape architecture firm and perform a variety of technical and design tasks for three years. 

There are also other paths to achieving three years of professional experience. If you had a job where you performed landscape architecture-related tasks under the direct supervision of an engineer or architect or planner, you can claim one year of experience for each year worked for a maximum of two years. You would still need one year of experience working under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect, however. 

You can use one year of teaching experience in landscape architect in an accredited program to count as credit towards licensure.

Or, if you were self-employed as a garden designer and performed principal-level duties in your own organization, you can qualify for licensure in Wyoming. Here is the down-side to this plan. You need to earn six years of diversified experience working on your own to satisfy the three-year professional experience requirement. This option is definitely the slowest path to licensure in the state of Wyoming.

Step-By-Step Guide

1. Graduate from an accredited landscape architecture college program. Either a masters degree or bachelors degree is acceptable.
2. Get three years of diversified professional work experience in the field of landscape architecture.
3. Go to the CLARB website and create a Council Record. 
4. Register for the multiple-choice sections of the LARE through CLARB’s website. The graphic sections of the LARE are offered through the Wyoming State Board.
5. Study for the LARE exam. You need to prepare for the exams. CLARB’s own statistics show that many students fail at least one or more sections of the LARE the first time. Don’t let this happen to you. Read the technical books recommended by CLARB, take practice exams, or attend a LARE exam preparation workshop.  
6. Pass all sections of the LARE. Once you have successfully completed each section, notify CLARB to forward your council record to the Wyoming state board.
7. Apply for a landscape architect license with the state of Wyoming. Have your college send official transcripts to the board.
8. Wait for your license to come in the mail and celebrate!
9. Get a rubber stamp made so you can seal and sign drawings.

Final Thoughts on Licensure

You have one year from the date of your application for licensure to get all the necessary documents, test scores, and college transcripts to the board. The path to licensure can be long and full of frustration. Don’t give up! Many have gone before you and achieved their professional goal of licensure. You can too. 

Make the best of preparing for the LARE. Learn what you can from books and workshops. Find a mentor at work or with your local ASLA chapter. Attend the annual ASLA meeting and learn more about the profession. The more you know, the better your odds are at success on the LARE the first time.  Study hard and good luck.

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.