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Professional Landscape Architects (PLAs)
Landscape Architects are Licensed in All 50 States & D.C.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia require landscape architects to be licensed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Landscape architects apply their skills and knowledge to plan, design, document, and supervise the development of projects that protect and conserve resources and safeguard communities from hazards.
Licensure ensures that landscape architects possess the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to protect the public's health, safety, and welfare. By upholding rigorous standards, licensure safeguards communities from potential harm, promotes environmental stewardship, and guarantees professional competence in designing and managing our built and natural environments.
Physical Injury
In Cooper v. City of New Orleans, an architect negligently failed to specify both resilient surfaces below play equipment and age-group-appropriate equipment. The design flaws were revealed when a six-year-old girl fell from a play structure was rendered paraplegic by her injuries.
Property Damage
In Foxchase, LLLP v. Cliatt, a golf course designer falsely held herself out to be a licensed landscape architect. During the design and construction phases of her work, excess water, sediment, sand, and debris flowed unabated down a creek on the golf course property to an adjacent property, where the runoff caused significant damage.
Financial Harm
In Heavenly Days Crematorium, LLC v. Harris, Smariga & Associates, Inc., a civil engineering firm was held liable for producing a site plan that contained errors, delayed the obtaining of a permit, caused fines and penalties to be incurred by the owner, caused construction delays, and caused increased construction costs. Significantly, the individual responsible for preparing the defective site plan and other designs had received a master’s degree in landscape architecture, but was not a licensed landscape architect.
Landscape Architecture Case Law
Explore this comprehensive report to understand the critical necessity of landscape architecture licensure. This document presents compelling evidence and real-world cases illustrating the direct impact of professional competence on public health, safety, and welfare.
Qualifications for Licensure
To earn licensure, landscape architects complete a rigorous STEM-focused bachelor's or master's degree, gain practical experience under the supervision of a Professional Landscape Architect, and pass a comprehensive national licensing exam.
ASLA Public Policies on Professional Licensure
Advocacy Tools & Resources
Tools and resources for landscape architects to be the most effective advocates