Hey Bennett,
Hope you are well man. Some of these responders have it right. Some do not. First, learn the ‘law’ on what titles or words are protected. That is the name portion. Second, state and location laws/regulations will dictate what you can and cannot do. For instance, in Knoxville, and other parts of TN you have to stamp a legal document or drawing to be approved to design and build certain elements. (a wall over four feet is a good example.) This is not a crock, in any way shape or form. I cannot think of too many LA’s or landscape designers who have been educates on building structurally enginnered objects. This is a safety and welfare issue. It portects the public from incompetence. Licensure is a check point for competency, and yes, protection of future jobs for licensed individuals. You get what you put into it.
If you want to design for cities and be a planner go that route and get those educational and legal marking. If you want to do residential design, educate yourself and get experience and operate within your competencies. You’re a smart guy. I don’t think that anyone is naive enough to know that there aren’t politics involved in title acts. But for the most part and for moat ppl, it is a way to protect the public and get a piece of the regulatory standards that control who has access the public dollars.
Many states will not allow you to design for commercial, institutional, or residential over so many stories without a license. http://www.asla.org/StateGovtAffairsLicensure.aspx
My thought is this, figure out whére you want to go and what you want to do. Find out how to get there as cheaply as possible, and go. Many designs work under licensed la’s and have a great time and do moat of the same things. Big difference is manuverability, maretability, and pay. Those are big. But, like any job…it helps to know a lot of connected like minded people.
You’ll do great!
Cameron
