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Licensing - Examiners of Landscape Architects

  1. How do I become eligible to become licensed as a landscape architect in the state of Maryland?
  2. Can I use my current license to become licensed in the state of Maryland?
  3. What are the requirements for licensure in the state of Maryland?
  4. What constitutes the "acceptable work experience" that is required for licensure?
  5. How do I report my work experience to the board?
  6. What are the examination requirements for licensure in Maryland?
  7. What is the L.A.R.E.?
  8. I have verified that I meet the Maryland requirements for licensure. How do I register to take the L.A.R.E.?
  9. When is the exam offered?
  10. What are the educational requirements if I have a foreign degree?
  11. Do I have to provide verification of my license and work experience if I have a CLARB council record?
  12. My license is about to expire. What is the process for renewal?
  13. My license is expired. What is the procedure to get it reinstated?
  14. What are the CPC requirements for a landscape architect?
  15. What are the fees for licensure in the state of Maryland?
  16. Where can I obtain the application and forms to apply for a license?
  17. What types of payments are accepted online?
  18. I met all of the requirements. How will I receive my license?
  19. How long will my license be valid?
  20. How do I get another copy of my license if it is lost or misplaced?
  21. How do I change my address and/or contact information on my license?
  22. How do I recover my PIN/password?
  23. How do I change my name on my license?
  24. I operate a business that provides landscape architectural services. Do I need a permit?

1. How do I become eligible to become licensed as a landscape architect in the state of Maryland?
To qualify for licensure in the state of Maryland you must be at least 18 years old and meet the education and experience requirements outlined in Maryland law and regulations. Once you have determined that you meet the requirements, you must complete an electronic application for licensure based upon your status – License by Examination or License by Reciprocity.

2. Can I use my current license to become licensed in the state of Maryland?
Yes, an applicant who is licensed to practice landscape architecture in another state or territory may qualify for licensure by reciprocity. To be eligible, you must provide adequate evidence that you are currently licensed in a state that meets or exceeds the requirements established by the Maryland Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects.

3. What are the requirements for licensure in the state of Maryland?
The state of Maryland has several routes that a potential candidate can choose from based on the individual’s circumstances. Information on Maryland original license, renewals, reciprocity, reactivation, and firm permits can be found in the licensing section of our website. Once you have determined that you are eligible to begin the licensing process you can apply for licensure.

ORIGINAL LICENSE (license by examination) –To obtain your license for the first time you must apply for licensure by examination. You can choose from four categories to meet the requirement. Each category requires specific combinations of education and experience that must be met in order to be qualified for that category.

Category 1 – Graduate from an accredited PROGRAM IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE and TWO YEARS of acceptable work experience.

Category 2 – Accredited four-year degree in a DESIGN-RELATED discipline, along with FOUR YEARS of acceptable work experience.

Category 3 – ANY accredited four-year degree along with SIX YEARS of acceptable work experience.

Category 4 – HIGH SCHOOL or equivalent and EIGHT YEARS of acceptable work experience.*

*The board may allow substitution of one-year acceptable work experience for each full year of accredited landscape architecture study.

RECIPROCAL LICENSE – To apply for a reciprocal license you need to meet the required qualifications and pay an application and licensing fee. You can apply two separate ways:

  1. With a CLARB Council Record – If you maintain an up-to-date counsel record you can have this record transmitted directly to Maryland in lieu of state verification.
  2. Without a CLARB Council Record – To apply without a CLARB Record you will need to provide verification of qualifications and experience (sent directly from your home state).


4. What constitutes the "acceptable work experience" that is required for licensure?
To be acceptable, your work experience must be performed under the responsible charge of a licensed landscape architect or another authorized individual who is acceptable to the board. The following categories represent acceptable experience:

“Landscape architecture” includes:

    (i) consultation, research, analysis, assessment, selection, and allocation of land and natural resources;
    (ii) development of graphic, written, digital, and other appropriate criteria to govern the planning and design of land development and construction programs, including:
      1. preparation, review, and analysis of master plans, site plans, and land development plans;
      2. reconnaissance, planning, design, and preparation of construction documents
      3. construction, observation, administration, and project management;
      4. preservation, restoration, conservation, reclamation, rehabilitation, and management of land and natural resources;
      5. preparation of feasibility and site selection studies, environmental studies, and cost estimate reports; and
      6. design and analysis of grading and drainage, irrigation, erosion and sediment control systems, and pedestrian and vehicular circulation systems; and
    (iii) in conjunction with site plan preparation, the performance of the following:
       1. determining a grade;
       2. determining drainage; and
       3. preparing and designing stormwater drainage systems provided that the preparation and design:
        A. are in accordance with design manuals, details, and standards accepted by the State or local authorities; and
        B. do not require a hydraulic or structural design of system components.

5. How do I report my work experience to the board?
If you do not have a CLARB Council record that shows your work experience then you must fill out a Report of Professional Work Experience (RPE) form. This form must be started by the applicant and completed by the responsible charge person who is verifying your experience. The board must receive this form directly from the responsible official (not the applicant).

6. What are the examination requirements for licensure in Maryland?
To be licensed in the state of Maryland you must take and pass the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.) administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB).

7. What is the L.A.R.E.?
The L.A.R.E. is a comprehensive, four-part, national examination used to demonstrate your knowledge of landscape architecture. The four parts of the exam cover project and construction management, inventory and analysis, design, grading, drainage, and construction documentation. The examination is administered by CLARB, with board approval. For more information on the exam visit CLARB’s website.

8. I have verified that I meet the Maryland requirements for licensure. How do I register to take the L.A.R.E.?
You must begin your application process with the state first. Once the board determines that you are eligible for licensure, notification will be sent to CLARB that you are eligible for the exam.

9. When is the exam offered?
The L.A.R.E. is administered three times a year over a two-week period in April, August and December. Please visit the CLARB Exam Dates web page for more information.

10. What are the educational requirements if I have a foreign degree?
Applicants applying for licensure who possess a foreign degree must obtain a course-by-course evaluation of their degree from an approved evaluation service. The evaluation company used must be a member of NACES. The evaluation company must be one that receives transcripts directly from the university. The evaluation company must send the completed evaluation directly to the Maryland Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects.

11. Do I have to provide verification of my license and work experience if I have a CLARB council record?
No. Your licensure, education and work experience will be verified by your council record. Please ensure that your council record is complete and request CLARB to transmit your council record to Maryland Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects.

12. My license is about to expire. What is the process for renewal?
You can renew your license within 60 days of the expiry by visiting the board’s license renewal and reinstatement page. To renew your license you will need to log in with your username and password (or create one), fill out the application, pay the $76.00 renewal fee, and certify that you have completed your required continuing professional competency (CPC).

13. My license is expired. What is the procedure to get it reinstated?
You can reinstate your license after it has expired by visiting the board’s license renewal and reinstatement page. To reinstate your license you will need to log in with your username and password (or create one), fill out the application, pay the $76.00 renewal fee along with a $100.00 reinstatement fee, certify that you have completed your required CPC and complete any additional instructions.

14. What are the CPC requirements for a landscape architect?
As a landscape architect, you are required to complete a minimum of 24 PDHs earned upon completion of one or more qualifying activities during each individual two-year licensing period. Specific CPC information can be found online.

15. What are the fees for licensure in the state of Maryland?
Fees are set by law and regulation and are subject to change with public notice given.

16. Where can I obtain the application and forms to apply for a license?
Application and forms to apply for licensure be found on the Maryland Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects’ website.

17. What types of payments are accepted online?
All forms of payment are accepted online with the exception of American Express.

18. I met all of the requirements. How will I receive my license?
The Maryland Department of Labor does not print or mail licenses. An e-mail will be sent to you that will provide you a link with instructions for access to the electronic licensing portal where you will be able to print out your license. If you are a first-time licensee in the state of Maryland, you will receive a printed wall certificate with the State Seal.

19. How long will my license be valid?
The landscape architect’s license is valid for two years.

20. How do I get another copy of my license if it is lost or misplaced?
The ability for a licensee to print a license using the electronic licensing portal expires 60 days from the date that the authorization was provided. The link can be reactivated by contacting the board staff.

21. How do I change my address and/or contact information on my license?
You can change your address and contact information by logging into the electronic licensing portal’s information change page using your license/registration number and PIN/password. There is no fee for making changes to your information.

22. How do I recover my PIN/password?
You can go to the log in screen and select FORGOT MY PASSWORD for instructions on resetting your password.

23. How do I change my name on my license?
If you want to affect a name change on your license, you must provide a copy of an official legal document reflecting your name change (e.g., court document, marriage certificate, etc.) to the Maryland Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects. The legal documents can be submitted by e-mail and fax transmittal. The electronic name “Name Change” form can be found on the website under “Change Your Information."

24. I operate a business that provides landscape architectural services. Do I need a permit?
The state of Maryland requires a firm permit for corporations and partnerships that are practicing, offering to practice, or representing to practice landscape architectural services. Firm permits are not required for an organization operating as a sole proprietorship. If you are unsure as to whether you require a permit, contact our board staff.