LARE Exam Preparation and Study-Guide

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 If you find something on this post is out-of-date or inaccurate, please send me a note.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.

Colorado Landscape Architect License Requirements

Colorado Landscape Architect License Requirements

How To Get Licensed in Colorado

Civic Center Plaza in Denver, Colorado. Image by Gem66.

Colorado is considered by many people to be paradise on Earth because of the state's natural beauty. Combine winter skiing with summer hiking and some of the hippest urban centers and you have a winning destination. Getting a license to practice landscape architecture in Colorado could be your ticket to paradise.

Basic Requirements

Before you can apply for licensure in the state of Colorado, there are some basic prerequisites you need to complete.

Education

You need to have an accredited degree in landscape architecture in order to qualify for registration in Colorado. Either a bachelors degree or masters degree are acceptable as long as the degree is awarded by a LAAB-accredited institution. Your college degree can count for up to four years of Colorado's six-year experience requirement. When you are ready to apply for a license, have your college forward an official copy of your transcripts to the Colorado board.

Work Experience

Colorado's landscape architect board requires all candidates to gain at least six years of experience relating to landscape architecture. Don't panic! You can apply up to four years of academic experience towards licensure. That means you only need two years of professional work experience working under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect. But, you cannot count any professional work experience that you performed while attending college...work experience must be completed after you finished college. Use the forms and format included in the Colorado license application packet.

Pass the LARE

You have to pass all sections of the LARE before you apply for a landscape architect license in Colorado. Unlike some other states, you register to take all parts of the LARE with CLARB which administers the exam. See the step-by-step guide below for more information.

Step-by-Step Guide

Graduate from an accredited landscape architecture program.
Get two years of diversified work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect.
Create a council record with the Council of Landscape Architect Registration Board's (CLARB) website.
Register to take the LARE through CLARB's website.
Prepare for the LARE. Even though you did well in college and have a solid professional work history, you still need to study for the LARE. Many candidates do not pass each section the first time. Read the technical books recommended by CLARB, assess your level of preparedness with practice exams, or attend a LARE exam preparation workshop and receive individualized feedback. The more you prepare, the better you wool feel on exam day.
Pass all sections of the LARE exam and forward your council record to the Colorado state board.
Complete the landscape architecture license application packet and mail it the board. Have your college send your college transcripts to the board and complete the work experience forms to verify your professional experience.
Wait for your license in the mail. Celebrate when it arrives! You are now a licensed landscape architect.
Get a rubber stamp made so you can stamp and seal drawings.

Final Thoughts

The road to licensure can sometimes be a winding mountain road. Don't become discouraged. May others have traveled the same road and achieved the goal of licensure. So can you.

For More Information

For an application form or more information, contact the Colorado state board at their website. ASLA also has state licensure guides under the professional practice tab.

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Thursday, November 3, 2011

Alaska Landscape Architect License Requirements

Alaska Landscape Architect License Requirements

How to Get Your License in Alaska.

Alaska is the largest state in the United States and is famous for its natural beauty and climatic extremes. Licensed landscape architects help protect the environment and make habitable spaces in this extreme climate.

Basic Requirements

There are a few basic requirements you must meet before you can apply for a landscape architect license in Alaska. First, you must be of good character and reputation. Second, you must demonstrate a combination of work experience and education in landscape architecture. Here are the highlights from the state of Alaska's regulations and statutes.

Education and Experience

If You Have an Accredited Degree in Landscape Architecture

You need a degree in landscape architecture to meet Alaska's education requirement. The state of Alaska requires a combination of education and experience to meet the licensure prerequisite. The quality and quantity of education are important. A LAAB accredited degree is worth one point for each year of coursework. That means a five-year BLA program equals five experience points. A four-year accredited degree is worth four experience points. You get an additional experience. In order to meet the state education and experience requirements, you need a total of eight years of combined education and experience.

My Landscape Architecture Degree is Not From An Accredited Program

No problem. You can still qualify for registration in Alaska with a non-accredited degree, but you will need more professional experience to satisfy state requirements. A non-LAAB accredited professional degree is worth three experience points. You still need to get five years of professional experience to meet the combined education and experience requirement, however.

There are some other paths that you can use to meet the education and experience requirements. Check out the latest requirements in the Alaska "Statutes and Regulations: Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors" on the Alaska board website.

Continuing Education

You need to take a continuing education course on Arctic engineering before the Alaska state board will issue a landscape architect license. You can find a list of board-approved programs on the Alaska state board's website. At least one class is a web-based course.

Step-by-Step Guide

Graduate from an accredited landscape architecture program.
Get professional work experience to satisfy the Alaska licensure requirements.
Apply to the Alaska state board for permission to take the LARE. Have your college send official transcripts to the Alaska board. You will also need to verify you professional work history on the work experience forms included in the application packet.
Set up a CLARB council record at the Council of Landscape Architect Review Boards website.
Register for the LARE exam. You can register for the multiple-choice sections through CLARB's website. Graphic LARE sections are administered through the Alaska board.
Prepare for the LARE. The LARE exam is challenging and many candidates do not pass the first time. You can improve your chances of success by studying from the CLARB-recommended books, take practice exams, or attend LARE workshops. The better prepared you are, the better your performance will be on test day.
Take and pass all sections of the LARE. You have five years to complete all sections. Don't panic if you don't pass everything the first time. Study some more at take the section when you feel ready. You have four chances to pass in a five year period.
Once you have passed all sections of the LARE, have CLARB forward your Council Record to the Alaska board.
Pay the license fee when all the requirements have been satisfied.
Wait for your landscape architect license to come in the mail. Celebrate! You are now a licensed landscape architect.
Get a rubber stamp made with your seal so you can sign and seal drawings.

Final Thoughts

The road to licensure is tough and can be frustrating at times don't lose hope. Many have gone before you and have been successful. You can too.

For more information on getting a landscape architect license in Alaska, check out the Alaska state board website.

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Arkansas Landscape Architecture License

Arkansas Landscape Architecture Licensing Requirements

How to get licensed in Arkansas

Riverfront Park, Little Rock, Arkansas. Photo by Cliff1066.

Arkansas is a combination of old South and vibrant cities. There are opportunities for landscape architects to preserve the natural environment and make sustainable, memorable spaces for people. Getting your landscape architect license is the key to participating in Arkansas' future.

Basic Requirements

There are a few basic requirements you must meet before you can take the LARE and become a licensed landscape architect:

Age and Character

Arkansas state law requires all licensed landscape architect's to be at least 21 years of age at the time of licensing.

In addition to meeting the age requirement, you also need to demonstrate that you are a person of good character. This is done by submitting references who are landscape architects who ca attest to your ability to protect the public's health, safety, and welfare. Form are included in the application packet.

Education

You need to have an accredited degree in landscape architecture to qualify for licensure in Arkansas. The state board has a list of approved schools and programs, but just about every LAAB accredited program is represented. Either a bachelors or masters degree in landscape architecture is acceptable. Have your college send official transcripts to the board to verify you education experience.

If you have a degree in a related profession and have four years of professional work experience working under the direct supervision of a landscape architect, you can apply for licensure.

Perhaps you never got a degree in landscape architecture. In some circumstances, the Arkansas board will allow candidates with seven years of experience in landscape architecture to apply for licensure. The board will determine if you experience meets their stringent standards. You still need to pass the LARE to qualify for licensure.

Work Experience

Arkansas state law requires landscape architect candidate to have a minimum of two years of professional experience after completing a degree in landscape architecture. You can get this experience by working under the responsibility or supervision of a licensed landscape architect. Include this information on your license application.

Other non-traditional paths to licensure may require substantially more professional experience prior to licensure. Check out the Arkansas practice act for more information.

Pass the LARE Exam

This probably is not a surprise to you. Arkansas requires all candidates to pass all sections of the LARE.

Step-by-Step Guide

Complete an accredited degree in landscape architecture.
Get two years of work experience in landscape architecture under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect.
Apply to take the LARE though the Arkansas board.
Register for the LARE exam.
Prepare for the LARE. Unfortunately, many candidates do not pass all sections of the LARE on the first attempt. But you can study and prepare for the LARE exam and increase your odds of success. First, read the recommended technical books suggested by CLARB. Next, assess your level of preparation by taking a practice exam or attend a LARE exam preparation workshop.
Take and pass all sections of the LARE.
Submit the license paperwork and pay the fee.
Wait for the license to come in the mail. Celebrate! You are now a licensed landscape architect.
Get a rubber stamp made so you can stamp and sign drawings.
Maintain you license. Arkansas is one of many states that requires landscape architects to complete continuing education requirements (CEUs) prior to renewal.

Final Thoughts on Licensure

Getting a landscape architect license is a right of passage in our profession. The road to getting your license can be long and frustrating. Don’t lose hope. Many landscape architects have blazed the trail ahead of you and have been successful. You can, too.

Many licensed landscape architects have had trouble with the LARE. Study for the LARE. Find a study group, read the recommended books, take practice exams, and/or attend workshops to help improve your chances of success. Ask your colleagues questions. The more you know about your chosen profession, the better your chances of success and the better landscape architect you will become. Study hard and good luck.

For More Information

For more information on landscape architect license laws and regulations, contact the Arkansas Board of Architects, Landscape Architects & Interior Designers at the website.

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Tuesday, November 1, 2011

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

Graduate from an accredited landscape architecture college program. Either a masters degree or bachelors degree is acceptable.
Get three years of diversified professional work experience in the field of landscape architecture.
Go to the CLARB website and create a Council Record.
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.
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.
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.
Apply for a landscape architect license with the state of Wyoming. Have your college send official transcripts to the board.
Wait for your license to come in the mail and celebrate!
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.

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How to Get a Landscape Architect License in Kentucky

Kentucky Landscape Architect License Requirements

A Step-By-Step Guide To Licensure

Lexington Cemetery in Kentucky. Photo by SMDE.

It's pretty simple to become a licensed landscape architect in the state of Kentucky. All you need is a degree in landscape architecture and two years of post-graduation work experience. Here are the basic requirements:

Education

First, you must possess an accredited degree in landscape architecture. While the Kentucky board reserves the right to create their own list of acceptable degrees and institutions, the seem to accept any degree accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB). Either a bachelors degree or masters degree in landscape architecture satisfies the license requirement.

What if you did not graduate from an accredited landscape architecture program? You have a couple of options. First, you could appeal to the Kentucky licensing board and ask for a waiver. If your college program was not accredited when you graduated but was later accredited by LAAB, your appeal may be successful. Otherwise, you can get a landscape architect license in a state that will honor your landscape architecture education and then apply for a license in Kentucky through the reciprocity process.

Age Requirement

Kentucky is not the state for landscape architect child prodigies. Fortunately, this probably is not an issue preventing you from getting a landscape architect license. In the state of Kentucky, you must be at least 21 years of age to get a license. When you consider the amount of time spent in college and two years of work experience, you probably will easily meet this requirement.

Work Experience

The state of Kentucky requires all candidates to have at least two years of work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect. This requirement is less than some other states. You need to list the work experience (and education experience) on the Kentucky application. There are also forms for your employer to complete rating your work experience, character and competency.

Step-by-Step Guide

Graduate with a bachelors or masters degree in landscape architecture from an accredited landscape architecture program.
Work for a licensed landscape architect for two years.
Create a Council Record with CLARB and register to take the multiple-choice sections of the LARE. CLARB only administers the multiple-choice sections of the LARE. The state board administers the graphic sections.
Register to take the graphic sections of the LARE through the Kentucky state board.
Study for the LARE. The LARE exam is challenging and many candidates don't pass each section of the test on the first attempt. Increase your chance of success by reading technical books recommended by CLARB, study with practice exams, or attend a LARE workshop.
Take and pass each section of the LARE.
Pay the licensing fee to the state of Kentucky.
Receive your license in the mail and celebrate.
Make a rubber stamp seal so you can stamp drawings.

Final Words

Whatever you do on your journey towards licensure, remember to keep the final destination in mind. Preparing for the LARE is though and requires hours of preparation to successfully pass all sections of the LARE. Don't give up. Many have gone before you and have succeeded. You can too. Study hard and good luck.

For more information on applying for a landscape architecture license in Kentucky, check out the state of Kentucky's licensing board website.

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