LA CES Administration and Governing Rules

The Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LA CES) is administered through a collaborative partnership of leading landscape architecture organizations:

• American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
• Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA)
• Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA)
• Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB)
• Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB)
• Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF)

These organizations jointly establish the LA CES Approved Provider Guidelines and share responsibility for the program’s management and oversight.

ASLA provides day-to-day program administration and operational support, including:

• Management and maintenance of the online, searchable LA CES course database
• Committee coordination and customer service support
• Accounting, communications, marketing, and technical resources
• ASLA reports on program operations and finances to the Administrative Committee at least annually.

Governing Rules and Procedures

LA CES governance is structured through three committees:

• Administrative Committee
• Application Review Committee
• Monitoring Committee

Each participating organization appoints one representative to each committee for a three-year term. One-third of committee members are appointed each year to ensure continuity. Representatives may be reappointed but may not serve on more than one committee at the same time.

Terms begin on January 1 and end on December 31. Representatives continue to serve until successors are appointed. If a representative resigns or is unable to fulfill their duties, the participating organization appoints an interim replacement to complete the remaining term.

If a representative cannot attend a meeting, a proxy may be appointed with advance written notice. A quorum is achieved when more than half of committee members are present in person or by proxy. Decisions are approved by a simple majority vote when a quorum is present.

The Administrative Committee is the governing body of LA CES. All decisions that commit LA CES to action or policy are made at a duly called meeting. Meetings are held as needed.

The Application Review Committee and Monitoring Committee meet as frequently as required based on program needs and as determined by their respective chairs.

Committee Responsibilities

Administrative Committee

The Administrative Committee provides overall program leadership and is responsible for:

• Program management and oversight
• Establishing and revising provider guidelines, approval criteria, and program procedures
• Setting approved provider fees
• Reviewing appeals related to denial of approved provider status
• Appointing appeal panels for challenges to revocation decisions
• Creating or dissolving committees and task forces as needed
• Updating governing rules and procedures
• Members regularly report program operations and financial updates to their respective organizations.

Application Review Committee

The Application Review Committee is responsible for:

• Reviewing applications for approved provider status for completeness and compliance
• Requesting clarification when needed
• Issuing a determination of acceptance, deferral, or denial within 30 days of receipt

Monitoring Committee

The Monitoring Committee oversees ongoing compliance and is responsible for:

• Annually reviewing at least 10% of approved providers
• Verifying compliance with LA CES guidelines and procedures
• Notifying providers in writing of any non-compliance
• Allowing a 30-day probationary period for corrective action
• Revoking approved provider status if compliance is not achieved

Compliance verification may include:

• Provider surveys
• Review of course materials, descriptions, and evaluations
• Surveys of course attendees