Dear LAREy: How Can I Prep for the L.A.R.E. Without Breaking the Bank?

Dear LARE Candidate,

I’m trying to be smart about budgeting for the L.A.R.E. and want to get the most value from my study resources. I’ve heard ASLA hosts low-cost prep workshops during the annual conference—is that true? If so, are they worth attending?

Thanks,
LARE Candidate

Dear LARE Candidate,

Yes—ASLA is offering targeted LARE Prep sessions at the 2026 Conference on Landscape Architecture, and they can be a worthwhile investment if you’re looking for focused, practical exam prep.

Join us at the conference for these sessions:

• LARE Prep: Grading, Drainage, and Stormwater Management Workshop
  Friday, Sep. 18 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT
  This interactive technical workshop is designed to help you build confidence in one of the most challenging L.A.R.E. topic areas.
  Cost: $175 Early Bird / $200 Advance / $225 Onsite

• LARE Prep: Planning and Design
  Friday, Sep. 18 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT
  This session offers targeted support in another key content area and is a strong option for candidates looking to sharpen planning and design skills.
  Cost: $175 Early Bird / $200 Advance / $225 Onsite

• LARE Prep: Grading & Drainage: Applied Practice
  Friday, Sep. 18 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT
  This applied session gives you the chance to work through grading and drainage concepts in a practical way and reinforce what you’ve learned.
  Cost: $175 Early Bird / $200 Advance / $225 Onsite

If grading and drainage are areas you want to strengthen, it’s worth noting that ASLA is offering a Grading & Drainage Mastery Bundle discount of $50, making it an even better value if you plan to attend both grading- and drainage-focused sessions.

If you’re looking for affordable, focused, and practical L.A.R.E. prep, these conference sessions are absolutely worth considering—especially if you choose the workshops that match your biggest study needs.

You’ve got this,
LAREy