Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JA on April 18, 2012 at 2:50pm

After a bit of checking, I think what I am asking about is the categories in CLARB's 'Council Record'.

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Permalink Reply by nca on April 18, 2012 at 3:20pm

Maybe you're confusing me or I'm just confusing myself but typically to earn LA licensure one only needs a bachelors or masters degree (in CO its ANY degree which is ludicrous) PLUS two years under a licensed landscape architect. With your architecture education plus two years experience I'm thinking thats all you need to sit. Sorry if I'm misunderstanding..

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Permalink Reply by Chris Whitted on April 19, 2012 at 10:44am

I wouldn't call "A professional degree from a program accredited by the landscape architectural accreditation board, or any successor organization, or education or experience determined by the board to be substantially equivalent" just ANY degree, though it may technically meet that definition.

 

As others have already mentioned it's up to the state for specifics, so you'll have to read your state's rules and/or application.  For CO, the application requests the percentage of time spent (totaling 100% for each job you have held) in six categories:

Landscape Architecture Desgin

Planting Design / Planting Construction Drawings

Grading and Drainage and Stormwater Management

Detail Construction Drawings

Specification Writing

Project Administration and Construction

There are no specific hour requirements, just that you have a total of x years of experience (and I say x because it varies depending on education). Since I don't have a CLARB record I can't comment on their format(s), but I was under the impression they really only track test scores and continuing education requirements. Their own requirements for even sitting for the exam are more stringent than some state's requirements and don't always have to be met.

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Permalink Reply by JA on April 19, 2012 at 11:21am

Thanks, that looks about like the answer(s0 that I was hoping to get.  Here, in GA, the LA Board's reqt's are that you have 18months, unspecified experience, working directly for a L/Arch.  The degree reqt is interesting, because it specifies a L/Arch degree...or 'equivalent'.  I am hoping that my BS Arch is 'equivalent'.  If so, it's good for me, but I will respect that a BLArch or MLArch would have precedence.

ANyway, the stagnant economy for Archts in this 'new world' has given me lots of time to focus on some long delayed post-nominals...

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Permalink Reply by Wyatt Thompson, PLA on April 20, 2012 at 6:22am

Wait, I'm really confused. You are an architect with a BS Arch(itecture) degree and you are concerned about gaining credentials so you can practice Landscape Architecture too? Without a BLA/MLA?

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Permalink Reply by Jason T. Radice on April 20, 2012 at 8:20am

A BSArch is not considered an equivalent degree in my state.Almost any degree other than an BLA, MLA, or certain BSLAs or sometimes an ornamental horticulture degree will qualify you to sit for the LARE. Exceptions are indeed rare, and must be accompanied by substantial experience.  In most cases, a BSArch is not a professional level degree that will not qualify you to take the AREs (some may be, but not all). A BArch won't even get you into the LARE here. Even a PE would have a hard time sitting for the exam without having 10 years under an LA. They are not similar degrees. You might want to check your state registration board right away before you start going down the path too far.

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Permalink Reply by JA on April 20, 2012 at 9:16am

In GA, the language is vague.  As I mentioned, the Board says 'equivalent' degree.  I have written them to clarify if my degree is equivalent.  If it is, I may try to meet all other reqts, such as working for a LArch (in GA, it's 18 mos w/out an MLA).

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Permalink Reply by Jason T. Radice on April 20, 2012 at 9:34am

wow, did I ever make some typos in there! It should state that any degree OTHER than a BLA, MLA or certain CLARB accredited BSLAs will not qualitfy you to take the LARE. You will need to go the other route of working under a LA for a decade before you would qualify for a license. The language is vague to allow for some flexibility, but the exceptions are rare and you must have an equivalent education, just not the accredited degree.  

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Permalink Reply by Wyatt Thompson, PLA on April 20, 2012 at 9:41am

I was really confused by what you wrote, Jason, and was just about to ask about it. Thanks for clarifying.

My question to JA still is why you're concerned about this at all? It seems to me that there are other credentials more closely related to building architecture that would give you more of an advantage in the marketplace than trying to find a licensed LA who will mentor you for the next 10+ years. If you want to be a landscape architect, go get an MLA; it will be faster and you can avoid the scorn that often comes from LAs when Architects try to do "our" work. (See some other threads for that discussion.)

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Permalink Reply by JA on April 20, 2012 at 3:23pm

Well, I guess that I just have a belief that the design of structures & the actual land with which they co-exist are not separate endeavours.

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Permalink Reply by Jason T. Radice on April 20, 2012 at 3:55pm

I do to, but designing structures and designing the land are two different educational and professional disciplines. And from vast experience (I have always worked in architecture offices), Architects clearly do not have any idea how to do the latter.  

Permalink Reply by Wyatt Thompson, PLA on April 20, 2012 at 7:37pm

I don't disagree with that either. I was simply trying to understand why you, as an architect with an architectural education, would be so interested in "gaining Landscape Architecture Work Experience," as if that would qualify you to be a PLA. It would be similar to me asking you how many seminars I should go to before I call myself an architect and submit a design for the next great public building in your city. That would certainly be shortchanging the educational and professional development that you, and all other architects, have gone through.

Gaining new experience and learning about allied professions so you can be a better design professional is an admirable goal. (Honestly, I just wish some people I work with would learn to not move/rotate the survey base to 0,0 world-coordinates, let alone actually trying to understand how site and grading plans go together...) Your question, however, indicated to me something quite different from that quest for knowledge. Perhaps I misunderstood you.

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