Non-RLA’s using the title Landscape Architect

[mauiBob]

I can’t believe this thread is still going strong!! For a question so simple…you either have a license and call yourself a Landscape Architect or you haven’t earned the title yet! End of debate.

[Matt Boisseau]

Unless you work for the federal government where all employees in the 0807 job series carry the job title Landscape Architect – licensed or not. 

[Alan Ray, RLA]

Well said maui…It’s THE LAW!!!

I didnt make the law I just abide by it.

And Jon Quackenbus, if you come to Tennessee and make false claims, you will be fined.

I will personally report you to the A&E Board…..

We have both a title law and a practice law here, Dood…..

[mauiBob]

Maybe true, but you’re missing the point here. Your job “title” may say Landscape Architect, but does your business card have RLA with a number after your name? And try getting your designs through the permitting process without a stamp. My first job out of school was with a small company and my business card had Project Manager on it. Even though I never did any management of any kind, more like cad draftsman and sketch specialist to be exact. What you say to your friends and relatives…I don’t think anyone here cares about.

[Heather Smith]

Have to laugh about the automatic censoring on Land 8…I have had it do this to me several times and was confused at first. haha.

[Andrew Garulay, RLA]

The really funny thing is that the use of the title is so coveted by some of those entering the profession that they go ahead and use it illegally while they go off chastising those who have earned it for making a big deal out of  having a license.

 

If it is not a big deal why use the title? If it is a big deal, why would you have no shame?

 

It is like saying you read Playboy for the articles.

[Heather Smith]

Didn’t see this before…we lived in Paonia before we moved up to Moscow. BEAUTIFUL! I looked back at the mountains as we left and thought, “There goes the most beautiful place I will ever have lived”…and that is saying a lot as I lived a summer in Glacier National Park.

[Heather Smith]

At this point I don’t care what people call us as long as they pay us well. 🙂 Personally, I AM a landscape designer…legally. I don’t know why it is demeaning as you say…just be better then the guy that didn’t get a degree.

[Andrew Garulay, RLA]

… and don’t be afraid to be better than the guy who has a license, either.

[Jon Quackenbush]

The Arts & Entertainment board?

“Yes, I would like to report a crime.”
“Go ahead, sir.”
“I know of a guy who when asked what he does for a living says he is a landscape architect, but he hasn’t yet passed all the exams.”
“Is he actively seeking projects as a landscape architect?”
“No.”
“Is he promoting his services to be the equivalent of a fully licenced landscape architect, such as stamping drawings used for construction?”
“No.”
“Does his business card have the RLA acronym next to his name?”
“No.”
“Thanks for wasting five minutes of my day sir, goodbye.”
*click*

[Jessi Barnes]

I’m with Jon on this one.  As a “kid” who just spent five grueling years in school for my BLA, I object to the idea that I have “no knowledge.”  Sure, I have plenty to learn, but my skill sets are above what a firm could expect a landscape designer to do, especially when you consider that anyone– educated or not– can call themselves a landscape designer.  The name does not reflect the work we’ve put into our education.  “LAIT” makes sense to me, and I agree that only licensed professionals should advertise themselves as landscape architects, but I’m completely comfortable with describing my profession as landscape architecture.  Maybe the distinction should be that us “kids” are “landscape architects,” and you “adults” are “registered/licensed landscape architects”? 

 

I appreciate that it takes a lot of work to get licensed, but I fail to see why more experienced professionals are attacking younger professionals– especially ones who presumably want to go through the process to become licensed.  If someone is misusing the title, politely explain why they shouldn’t.  If it really bothers you, take it up with higher powers.  In any case, please refrain from belittling the next generation.  We’re people, too, and you should treat us how you’d like to be treated.

 

 

[Andrew Garulay, RLA]

The problem is biggest with those who freelance not those talking to the lamp in their mom’s basement.. Do a web search in your area using “landscape architect” and I think you’ll see it very clearly.

 

1. When regular people do this, many are getting their first impression of what landscape architecture is …. it is mowing lawns and spreading mulch, apparently.

 

2. When someone wants an LA and compares pricing with others who they are lead to believe are LAs, they think we are gouging them.

 

3. If there were nothing to gain from doing it, there would be no point in doing it.

 

4. If someone else is getting work because they are posing as an LA, the work is being taken away from an LA.

 

I don’t think anyone cares who says what to people who don’t matter. But it is very odd to me to think that someone would go out of their way to lie about it if it did not matter.

[Christopher Patzke]

The City of Boston has a job posting titled “Landscape Designer (Chief Landscape Architect).”  The Commonwealth has title law.  Guess you don’t need to be licensed to be the “Chief Landscape Architect” for the Parks Department of a major metropolitan area.

 

 

[Alan Ray, RLA]

 hey Jon Quakenbuch,

. very funny….but the A&E Board (Architects and Engineers Review Board) here will laugh their  ass off here…that would be very funny since they have no sence of humor…they fine people all the time…and yes they do care about the “TITLE”  why? because it is a state law…… I know that this is the point you just can’t understand. I personally could care less what you call yourself.

I do wonder  why you come into a forum for landscape architects, not being one yourself, and deride those of us who are???Are you really that insecure?  Is it the Napoleon syndrone working here? Is it because you are really a “wiseass” as you previously said? There is really nothing wise about arguing with your elders. I do want to inform you that wiseasses are really not loved as you you think in fact the saying I’ve always heard is “everybody likes a little ass, nobody likes a smart ass. So since this is also a social network, why don’t you try working on manners and respect for your elders…..maybe be a littler ass…the Arts and Entertainment board thing was funny though.

[Anonymous]

“… it is very odd to me to think that someone would go out of their way to lie about it if it did not matter.”

 

 

This is what I’m trying so hard to get my head around. Mr. Quackenbush has stated that he doesn’t use the title “Landscape Architect” on paper because he hasn’t earned. Yet he feels entitled to use the title in social situations. I just don’t understand why he is unable to apply the same logic when it’s not “on paper”. It’s like, I respect the title, BUT if I can use it to impress people or so that I don’t have to explain to people what I do, that respect goes out the window.

 

He’s not one of the people that have absolutely no clue like some of the folks who have posted comments. I guess he feels it’s o.k. to bend the rules as long as it work in his favor.  

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