Profession Achieves Critical Licensure Victories in Illinois and Colorado

The profession and the Illinois and Colorado Chapters recently achieved significant milestones in strengthening and preserving the professional regulatory framework for landscape architects. Through persistent advocacy and engagement with state leadership, these efforts help ensure landscape architects remain at the forefront of designing resilient communities and supporting local economies.

In Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 3897 into law on July 31, extending the Landscape Architecture Registration Act. This critical legislation ensures the state licensing board and the professional oversight of landscape architects through January 1, 2032. The bill’s enactment reflects the collaborative efforts of the Illinois Chapter and National ASLA to prevent the state’s regulatory framework from sunsetting and to protect the public through continued regulation of the profession.

Meanwhile, in Colorado, the State Board of Landscape Architects adopted the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards’ (CLARB) Uniform Licensure Standard for Landscape Architecture (Uniform Standard) into rule on Friday, July 17. National ASLA actively supported the profession’s efforts, emphasizing that a modern regulatory framework protects the public while creating clear and consistent pathways for qualified prospective landscape architects to enter the profession. The rule updates are expected to take effect around September 14, 2026.

By aligning with the Uniform Standard, Colorado has established a flexible, yet rigorous, process for evaluating applicants’ education and experience. To provide stability for current candidates, the Board implemented a transition period where existing standards remain in place through June 30, 2027, before the new eligibility criteria for licensure becomes fully effective on July 1, 2027.

The Illinois board extension and Colorado’s adoption of the Uniform Standard demonstrate the value of coordinated advocacy between state chapters and National ASLA. By reinforcing the profession’s regulatory structure, these victories help ensure landscape architects can continue their essential work in designing safe, resilient, and prosperous communities.