LA CES Guidelines

Criterion 1: LA CES Continuing Education Definition +

Registered courses must adhere to the LA CES definition of continuing professional education: "Continuing professional education consists of learning experiences that enhance and expand the skills, knowledge, and abilities of practicing landscape architects to remain current and render competent professional service to clients and the public."

Criterion 2: Health, Safety, Welfare (HSW) +

Registered courses must specify whether the primary subject matter meets the LA CES definition of Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW). For a course to be considered as meeting the LA CES HSW standard, at least 75% of the course material must qualify under this definition. (Click here for more information on determining if a course meets the public health, safety, and welfare classification.)

Criterion 3: Professional Development Hours (PDH) +

All registered courses must follow LA CES guidelines when assigning professional development hours (PDH), and each course must be a minimum of 1 PDH in length. (Click here for more information on calculating professional development hours and click here for more information on distance education requirements.)

Criterion 4: Learning Needs +

Registered courses must be designed to address the specific learning needs of the target audience and must include clear, concise written learning objectives or outcomes. Each course requires at least three learning objectives/outcomes.    

Criterion 5: Course Instruction & Content Requirements +

Registered courses must meet the following requirements:

• Qualified Instructional Personnel: Courses must be developed and delivered by qualified instructors with relevant experience, knowledge, and credentials.
• Appropriate Content and Methods: The course content and instructional methods should align with the intended learning objectives and outcomes.
• Educational Materials: Materials used in the course should be educational, generic in nature, and support the learning objectives. “How-to” demonstration courses of proprietary products are not permitted. (Click here for more information on proprietary information guidelines.)
• Instructor Role: Instructors should focus on teaching and should not act as salespeople promoting any products or services.

Criterion 6: Participant Learning Attainment +

Registered courses must include a mechanism for assessing participant attainment of the learning objectives/outcomes.

Criterion 7: Course Evaluation and Certificates of Completion +

Registered courses must be evaluated by participants and issue a confirmation and verification of completion for each participant who completes a course. 

Criterion 8: Attendance Records +

Registered courses must maintain complete attendance records for at least six (6) years and make them available to participants upon request. A review process must be in place to ensure that LA CES criteria are met. Attendance records must be submitted on the LA CES website within twenty (20) business days after the event’s completion, using the provided template. Additionally, approved providers must retain copies of all course materials for a minimum of six (6) years.