American Society of Landscape Architects
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Licensure

The American Society of Landscape Architects supports licensure of the practice of landscape architecture within the United States and its territories as the only effective regulatory measure, by which to protect the public health, safety and welfare and to maximize practitioners’ ability to compete within regulated markets of the design professions. -- ASLA Professional Licensure Policy

Visit ASLA member resources for more advocacy materials, information on state licensure legislation for landscape architects, and information on existing state licensure requirements.

On January 17, 2008, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a letter reversing its earlier position regarding the qualifications of landscape architects regarding stormwater management. The letter confirms that landscape architects "are qualified to design certain structural stormwater BMPs." The Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter of ASLA has been working to reverse DEP's decision last year that would have allowed only professional engineers to do this work, claiming that landscape architects are not qualified for "structures." Related links:


On May 30, 2007, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter (D) signed the Landscape Architects Professional Licensing Act. As of January 1, 2008, landscape architects need to licensed in order to practice the profession in Colorado. With the enactment of this legislation, Colorado becomes the 49th state to regulate landscape architecture.

There are many persuasive arguments for licensure, but none more important than making the case that landscape architects impact the public health, safety, and welfare. Regulation of Landscape Architecture and the Protection of Public Health, Safety, and Welfare provides the justification for licensure, including substantial documentation of legal cases that demonstrate the potential for harm from incompetent, negligent and unethical practice of landscape architecture. Produced by Alex P. Schatz, J.D., ASLA.

The ASLA Licensure and Advocacy Summit VII will held June 20-22, 2008 in Madison, WI. ASLA representatives from across the United States participate in this annual symposium to provide advocacy training and strategic information for licensure efforts. Email us to learn more.


 


A State Licensure Profile is available for each state, including a summary of the state licensure law and regulations (including continuing education requirements), updates on pending legislation, and contact information for the licensing board, ASLA chapter, and state legislature.

Listing of state landscape architecture licensing boards with contact information

Website links and resources

 

Mandatory Continuing Education is becoming more and more common across the nation, with 29 states now actively requiring continuing education as a condition of license renewal:
LAST UPDATED 4/15/2008