FAQs for Landscape Architects

Landscape Architecture is a profession that is regulated by the State of Rhode Island. This means that there is a state agency that issues registrations to qualified individuals and regulates the profession. To practice landscape architecture in Rhode Island, you must obtain a registration from the Rhode Island Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects at the Department of Business Regulation. Applicants may be registered by examination or reciprocity.

• No person, except as provided in § 5-51-12, may use the title "landscape architect" or display or use any words, letters, figures, title, signs, seal, advertisement, or other device to indicate that the person practices or offers to practice landscape architecture or may represent himself or herself as a practitioner of landscape architecture or engages in the practice of landscape architecture in this state, unless that person has first secured a certificate of registration as provided in this chapter R.I. Gen. Laws 5-51-3.
• For the definition of the “practice of landscape architecture,” please visit R.I Gen. Laws § 5-51-1: R.I. Gen. Laws 5-51.
• For the purpose of determining what landscape architectural practices are permitted, please visit R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-51-13.

The Rhode Island Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects (“Board”) is established and governed by R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-51, R.I. Gen. Laws Governing Landscape Architects, and the Board’s Rules and Regulations for Landscape Architects, Regulations 420-00-00-1. It is part of the Division of Building, Design and Fire Professionals housed within the Department of Business Regulation. The Board is responsible for licensing landscape architects (“LA’s”), and firms practicing landscape architecture by the issuance of a Certificate of Authorization (“LA COA”). The Board receives and processes complaints that allege violations of statutory and regulatory provisions under the Board’s jurisdiction. The Board periodically reviews its statutes, regulations, applications, and processes for updating and streamlining.

The Board is comprised of qualified individuals appointed by the Governor to serve on the Board on a voluntary basis. To view information about board member appointments, please visit Board Member Appointments.

The Board is a public body that generally meets every other month beginning in February. While administrative staff may be able to answer certain routine questions between meetings, matters that require Board action are required to be noticed on the Board’s meeting agenda per the Open Meetings Act, Annual Meeting Notice.

Open Session Meetings are open to the public. Executive Session Meetings are closed to the public.

All meetings are listed on the Rhode Island Department of State’s Office (“SOS”). Please visit Open Meetings for this information.

1. Enter “Landscape Architect” in the “Keywords” box
2. Click the “Search” radio button
3. Scroll down, and you will see the information for the “Landscape Architects, Board of Examiners of.”

All meetings are listed on the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s Office (“SOS”). Please visit Open Meetings for this information.

1. Enter “Landscape Architects” in the “Keywords” box
2. Click the “Search” radio button
3. Scroll down to “Upcoming Meetings for Keyword Search”
4. On the left, click the orange “email” button, enter “email address,” click the “verify email button” – on the right, click the down arrow to choose how often you would like to receive the notifications.

Please submit your “Letter of Interest” and “Resume” to Donna.Costantino@dbr.ri.gov.

Applicants for licensure by examination must:

• Apply to CLARB to take the L.A.R.E. (Landscape Architect Registration Examination”), CLARB - Take the Exam.

If you just passed the L.A.R.E the - Congratulations!

• Upon passing the L.A.R.E., please submit to the Board:
  • An Online application, elicensing, follow the instructions for “First Time Applicants.
  • A CLARB Record containing the information required by R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-51-6 and § 1.6(A)(3) of this Part.
  • Three (3) references, including two (2) references from landscape architects each having at least four (4) years of experience as a registered landscape architect (they may be registered in any U.S. jurisdiction).
  • Evidence of two-years, full-time (35 hours/week) work experience as required by R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-51-6(3). To show evidence of required landscape architectural experience, or experience under an allied professional, the applicant shall present documentation on the form(s) provided by the Board. The supervising landscape architect in responsible charge or allied professional in responsible charge shall verify the documentation of experience. Experience gained from parttime work performed on a regular basis with a minimum of ten (10) hours per week shall be accepted if the total hours are equal to the fulltime employment requirement.
  • Education Transcript: A Bachelor or Master of Landscape Architecture degree from an ASLA accredited program, or at the discretion of the Board, a Bachelor or Master degree in a field related to landscape architecture, or completion of a non-accredited landscape architectural program.
    • Practical experience, as an alternative to the education requirement, may be considered by the board when documentation is submitted of full-time employment in landscape architectural work for a minimum of six (6) years under the direct supervision of registered landscape architect who is registered in the state where the work is performed. The applicant must present evidence to the satisfaction of the Board, of landscape architectural work performed by him or her, including drafting, grading, planting design, site design, and layout drawings.

“Reciprocity” refers to a non-resident registered landscape architect seeking to practice architecture in the state of Rhode Island, R.I. Gen Laws 5-51-7.

• Applicants shall meet the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-51-7 and have two (2) years’ experience of a grade and character acceptable to the Board.
• The applicant shall provide evidence on the form supplied by the Board that his/her registration in the reciprocal state is current.
• The applicant who has passed the UNE or L.A.R.E. shall provide confirmation of the passing grades and year of passing from the state board that administered the examination or CLARB. The Senior’s Examination administered by CLARB is accepted as equivalent to the L.A.R.E. or UNE.
• A CLARB Certification submitted with the application form shall constitute documentation of qualifications.
• Complete the Online Application, elicensing, with Online Payment of One hundred and Fifty dollars ($150.00);
• When the Rhode Island Board receives your Online Application and supporting documentation, preferably a CLARB Record or otherwise, General and Professional Experience Forms, Transcript(s) and State Verification Form(s), the application package will be reviewed.
  • If your application package can be administratively approved, your approval package will be sent to you, via email, within fourteen (14) to twenty-one (21) business days.
  • If your application package cannot be administratively approved and must be presented to the Board for review, the Board meets on the third Wednesday every other month. You will then receive the Board’s written decision, via email, approximately fourteen (14) to twenty-one (21) business days after that date.

A COA authorizes a sole proprietor, corporation, limited liability company (“LLC”), limited liability partnership (“LLP”) or partnership, named in the certificate to practice or offer to practice landscape architecture in the state.

For the definition of “certificate of authorization,” please visit: R.I. Gen. Laws 5-51-13.

A COA is required for anyone practicing landscape architecture in RI, whether a sole proprietor, corporation, limited liability company (“LLC”), limited liability partnership (“LLP”) or partnership as outlined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-51-13.

The structure of the corporation, LLC, LLP or partnership must meet the criteria as outlined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-51-13.

In order to practice or offer to practice landscape architecture in the State of Rhode Island, the following is required:

• A “person” must hold an individual (personal) registration.
  • This registration expires on June 30th of the odd number years (2021, 2023, etc.)
• A “firm” must hold a Certificate of Authorization (“COA”). “Firms” can be organized as a Sole Proprietorship, or as a corporate entity: Corporation, Limited Liability Company (“LLC”), Limited Liability Partnership (“LLP”) or Partnership.
  • The COA expires on June 30th of the even numbered years (2020, 2022, etc.).

1. Individual (Personal) Registration Renewal:
   
   Please log into your account at elicensing. Enter the User ID and Password associated with your registration. Complete and submit the online renewal application. If you do not have your User ID and Password, please contact the Board, dawne.broadfield@dbr.ri.gov, for assistance.
2. COA:
   
   Please log into your account at elicensing. Enter the User ID and Password associated with the COA. Complete and submit the COA online renewal application. If you do not have your User ID and Password, please contact the Board, dawne.broadfieldfield@dbr.ri.gov, for assistance.

1. Landscape Architect Registration Reinstatement of Expired Individual Registration:
   • A prior registrant whose registration has expired may be reinstated at the discretion of the Board
   • Application for the restoration of an expired license that has been allowed to lapse for more than one year shall be accompanied by a brief outline listing the professional activities of the applicant during the lapsed period and the renewal fee and will require Board review.
   • A penalty fee shall be charged for renewal fees received after June 30 of the expiration year.
   • The Board may request three (3) examples of work performed during the lapsed period.
   • A reinstated registrant shall pay the penalty fee stated in the chart above, the annual renewal fee for each year the registration was expired, and the renewal fee for the current year.
   • A prior registrant whose registration has expired for five (5) years or more shall reapply for registration.
2. Landscape Architect Registration Reinstatement of Expired COA
   • A firm whose COA has expired shall pay the penalty fee, the annual renewal fee for each year the registration was expired, and the renewal fee for the current year.
   • A prior firm’s COA which has expired for five (5) years or more shall reapply for registration.

1. Landscape Architect Registration expired less than 1 year:
   
   If your registration has been expired for not more than one (1) year past the expired date, you can still renew your registration online as follows: Log into your account at elicensing. Enter your User ID and Password to access your online renewal application. Complete and submit your online renewal application. If you do not have your User ID and Password, please contact the Board, dawne.broadfield@dbr.ri.gov, for assistance.
2. Landscape Architect Registration expired for a period of 1 year to not more than 5 years:
   
   If your registration has been expired for a period of one (1) year to not more than five (5) years, please contact the Board, via email only, dawne.broadfield@dbr.ri.gov, to request a Paper Renewal Application.
   1. Submit the Paper Renewal Application, Tax Affidavit, via mail only, to the address noted on the Paper Renewal Application,
   2. A brief outline listing the professional activities of the applicant during the lapsed period,
   3. A check in the amount of $105 ($80-Renewal, $25-Late Fee) made payable to the “General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island.”
   4. Upon receipt, your Renewal Application package will be presented to the Board for Board review at its next tentatively scheduled meeting.
3. Landscape Architect Registration expired greater than 5 years:
   
   If your registration has been expired for a period of greater than five (5) years shall reapply for registration.

Log into your account at elicensing. Enter the User ID and Password associated with your COA. Complete and submit the COA online renewal application. If you do not have your User ID and Password, please contact the Board, dawne.broadfield@dbr.ri.gov, for assistance.

Log into your account at elicensing.

1. Enter the User ID and Password associated with your Account,
2. In the upper right-hand corner, click on “ONLINE SERVICES,”
3. Under “Account,” click “Change Address,”
4. In the upper left-hand corner, click “Logout,”
5. If you do not have your User ID and Password, please contact the Board, dawne.broadfield@dbr.ri.gov, for assistance.