Licensee FAQ’s

1. What is required to obtain certification as a landscape architect in New Jersey?
2. How does one become certified as a landscape architect in New Jersey?
3. What are the educational requirements?
4. What are the experience requirements?
5. How do I become certified as a landscape architect in New Jersey if I hold a landscape architect license/certification in another state?
6. When does my Landscape Architect Certification have to be renewed?
7. How many continuing education hours are required for license renewal?
8. I let my license lapse, what are the requirements for reinstatement?
9. How do I change my address with the Board?

1. What are my rights as a consumer if I have a complaint against a Landscape Architect?
2. How do I file a complaint against an Architect with the Board?
3. How do I select a Certified Landscape Architect?

Licensee FAQ’s

1. What is required to obtain certification as a landscape architect in New Jersey?
   An applicant for certification as a landscape architect shall hold a bachelor’s or higher degree in an accredited landscape architecture curriculum from a college or university and have engaged in practical landscape architectural work for four (4) years after completion of the educational requirement and has successfully complete within five years of application an examination on landscape architecture issues specific to New Jersey and successfully complete within five years of application the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE).
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2. How does one become certified as a landscape architect in New Jersey?
   An applicant may apply to the Board prior to sitting for the LARE. The applicant shall request from, complete and return to the Board an application form together with the application fee. The applicant shall also request college transcripts be mailed directly to the Board office by the college/university. Upon receiving the Committee’s recommendation, the Board shall consider and may approve the applicant to take the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE) through the Council of Landscape Architect Registration Boards (CLARB). The applicant will be provided scheduling information pertaining to the New Jersey Test, which must be successfully complete within five years of application.

   An applicant who successfully completes the LARE without prior approval by the Board to sit for the LARE shall request from, complete and return to the Board an application form together with the application fee. The applicant shall request from CLARB that examination grades and/or council record be forwarded to the board office. Upon receiving the Committee’s recommendation, the Board shall provide scheduling information pertaining to the New Jersey Test, which must be successfully complete within five years of application.
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3. What are the educational requirements?
   An applicant for examination must have a bachelor’s or high degree in landscape architecture from a university having a landscape architecture curriculum accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) or other academic program approved by the Committee pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:27-8.4. The applicant shall arrange for the college or university to send an official transcript directly to the Board. The applicant shall be responsible for ensuring that the Board receives the transcript.
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4. What are the experience requirements?
   An applicant must have engaged in practical landscape architectural work for four (4) years after completion of the educational requirement set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:27-8.5(a)1, at least two of which the applicant having worked on a full-time basis under the supervision of a certified or licensed landscape architect, architect, professional planner or professional engineer.
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5. How do I become certified as a landscape architect in New Jersey if I hold a landscape architect license/certification in another state?
   An applicant who holds a license or certificate in good standing as a landscape architect from any other state, territory or possession of the United States provided that the requirements for licensure or certification of the issuing agency are substantially equivalent to those of the Committee and has passed the CLARB Uniform National Examination (UNE) or LARE or holds a current CLARB certification. Applicants holding CLARB certification shall arrange for CLARB to send the certificate to the Board; and meets the requirements for initial certification which is holds a bachelor’s or higher degree in an accredited landscape architecture curriculum from a college or university and have engaged in practical landscape architectural work for four (4) years after completion of the educational requirement. Upon receiving the Committee’s recommendation, the Board shall provide scheduling information pertaining to the New Jersey Test, which must be successfully complete within five years of application.
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6. When does my Landscape Architect Certification have to be renewed?
   All landscape architect certificates issued by the Board shall be issued for a biennial certification period. The expiration date for all certificates is May 31st of the even-numbered year. A certificate holder who seeks renewal of the certificate shall submit a completed renewal application, a statement that the licensee has successfully completed the continuing education requirement pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:27-8.11 and the renewal fee as set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:27-8.21 prior to the expiration date of the certificate.
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7. How many continuing education hours are required for license renewal?
   A certificate holder shall not be required to obtain continuing education hours during the first biennial renewal period in which the certificate holder first obtains licensure. "Continuing education (CE) hour" means one 60-minute clock hour of an educational activity with no less than 50 minutes of instructional content within the hour.

   Currently all certificate holders shall complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education. A certified landscape architect shall only receive continuing education credit for continuing education successfully completed during the biennial certification period in which the continuing education was completed and no continuing education hours may be carried over into a succeeding biennial period.

   Can I place my landscape architectural certification on "inactive" status?

   "Yes" a landscape architect has the option of putting their certification on "inactive status". A licensee electing inactive status shall not hold himself or herself out as a landscape architect.
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8. I let my license lapse, what are the requirements for reinstatement?
   The licensee is required to pay a reinstatement fee and all pass delinquent biennial renewal fees as set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:27-8.21 and provide the Board with documentation of proof he or she has completed the continuing education credits required for each biennial licensure period.
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9. How do I change my address with the Board?
   Certified Landscape Architects are required to report to the Board, in writing, any change in address within 30 days after the effective date of that change. Failure to notify the Board of any change of address may result in disciplinary action pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:1-21(h).
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Consumers FAQ’s

1. What are my rights as a consumer if I have a complaint against a Landscape Architect?
   Every consumer has a right to file a complaint against a Landscape Architect. .
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2. How do I file a complaint against an Architect with the Board?
   All complaints must be filed in writing using the Architects complaint form. Please complete the complaint form and return to the following address:

   New Jersey State Board of Architects
   124 Halsey Street
   P.O. Box 45001
   Newark, NJ 07101
   (973) 504-6385

   
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3. How do I select a Professional Architect?
   A key question to ask, prior to hiring an architect, is whether or not he or she is licensed. Selecting a landscape architect who complies with the requirements of the New Jersey State Board of Architects is the best assurance that you are working with a professional who will provide quality services. The Board cannot recommend a Landscape Architect. However, the consumer may contact the board directly at (973) 504-6385 to verify that the individual is a landscape architect, certified and in good standing with the New Jersey State Board of Architects.
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