Landscape Architect Licensing

• Registration Information
• Online Renewals
• Application Fees

Registration of Landscape Architects

A person shall not perform or offer to perform, either directly or indirectly, landscape architectural services, or assume or use the title or designation of “Landscape Architect,” unless the person has secured from the Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers a license as a landscape architect as required under Arkansas law.

Initial Registration Standards

To be granted initial registration, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

1. An applicant must be of good moral character, as verified by employers and other references;
2. An applicant must hold a professional degree in landscape architecture from a degree program accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB), a degree in a field related to landscape architecture as determined by the Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers (ASBALAID), or else seven (7) years of experience in landscape architecture satisfactory to the board;
3. An applicant must have completed the minimum experience requirements as determined by the completed degree program;
4. An applicant must have passed the Landscape Architect Registration Exam (LARE) in accordance with current Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) standards;
5. An applicant must complete an affidavit supplied by the board attesting that he or she has read and understood the Landscape Architectural Practice Act and Rules and Regulations.

Initial Registration Applicant Classification

An applicant for initial registration as a landscape architect shall establish to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant is one of the following:

1. Graduate of a degree program from an accredited institution, and having completed at least two (2) years of diversified and appropriate landscape architect experience; or
2. Graduate of a design program in a field related to landscape architecture that is satisfactory to the board, and having completed at least four (4) years of diversified and appropriate landscape architect experience; or
3. Equipped with seven (7) years of experience in landscape architecture satisfactory to the board.

When evaluating qualifications, the board may require that the applicant substantiate his or her qualifications.

Reciprocal Registration Standards

An applicant who holds a current and valid record issued by CLARB and submits satisfactory evidence of such record to the board can be registered, provided the applicant meets the following requirements.

1. An applicant must be of good moral character, as verified by employers and other references.
2. An applicant must hold a professional degree in landscape architecture from a degree program that has been accredited by LAAB.
3. An applicant must have passed the LARE in accordance with current CLARB standards.
4. An applicant must complete an affidavit supplied by the board attesting that he or she has read and understood the Arkansas Landscape Architectural Practice Act and Rules and Regulations.
5. The applicant holds a valid registration as a landscape architect issued by a registration authority of the United States and submits satisfactory evidence of such registration to the board.
6. An applicant files his or her application in a form prescribed by the board and pays the applicable board-established fees.
7. Before registration, the board may, at its discretion, require individual applicants to appear before the board when a CLARB record does not clearly indicate that the applicant is qualified for registration in Arkansas.

Emeritus Status Registration Standards

1. Registrants who are retired from the active practice of landscape architecture, and are sixty-five (65) years of age or older, may request emeritus status by filling out the proper application.
2. Emeritus status licensees are exempt from continuing-education requirements, unless the landscape architect changes his or her license to active status.
3. Registrants who have been on emeritus status for more than one (1) year may be readmitted to active practice upon proper application and completion of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education. Registrants who have held emeritus status for one (1) year or less may be readmitted to active practice upon proper application and completion of twelve (12) hours of continuing education.  
4. An emeritus landscape architect seeking readmission to active practice shall pay all applicable fees, not to exceed the current license fees.

Registration Prohibited

One or more of the following acts shall be sufficient to prevent the applicant from being considered for registration and license:

1. Practicing landscape architecture without registration in Arkansas or in any other state, territory, district, or zone of the United States in violation of a law governing such a practice;
2. Felony conviction;
3. Submitting a misstatement or misrepresentation of fact in connection with an application for examination, registration, application for reciprocal registration, or any other official communication with the board;
4. Committing an act prohibited by a provision of the Arkansas Landscape Architectural Practice Act or the Rules and Regulations of this board at that time.

Renewal

NOTICE: In accordance with the changes adopted on September 15, 2013 to the Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers (ASBALAID) rules and regulations, all current landscape architects are required to renew their standing with the board during the month of January every year. 

Licensure renewal notices will be sent to the e-mail address on file with the board office on January 1st. This notice will provide links to the online renewal system.

The board automatically sends electronic renewal notices to the address on file approximately 30 and 15 days before licensure expiration. Notices regarding licensure status are sent only as a courtesy of the board. The ultimate responsibility for licensure renewal rests with the licensed professional.

1. Certificate of registration shall expire on January 31 of each year and, unless renewed, shall become invalid on February 1.
2. All renewals must be either received in the board office by the close of business on January 31.
3. Only renewals that contain the completed renewal application, annual continuing education affidavit attesting to compliance with continuing education requirements, and the required renewal fees will be processed.
4. A registrant who does not properly renew his or her license may not practice landscape architecture after the license has expired. A registrant who continues to practice using an expired license will be subject to such disciplinary action as the board deems appropriate. 

Online Renewal

NOTICE: In accordance with the changes adopted on September 15, 2013 to the Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers (ASBALAID) rules and regulations, all current landscape architects are required to renew their standing with the board during the month of January every year. 

To renew your registration online, click the “Individual License Online Renewal” link below to be redirected to the online renewal system. Enter your individual license/registration number in the field provided to access the system. You are required to complete the questions and tender your $100 annual renewal using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or electronic check. The total amount will be adjusted to allow for electronic processing of the transaction. 

This online service is provided by a third party that is working in partnership with the state of Arkansas. The price of the item purchased through the service includes funds used to develop, maintain, and enhance the state’s official web portal, Arkansas.gov. Upon completion of the online renewal process, you will be presented with a receipt screen that should be printed and retained as proof of payment.

All online renewals are transmitted to the board office as they are received by the service provider. Please note that it can take up to 72 hours for your updated licensure status to be reflected in the board’s licensure verification system. Current licensure certificates may be printed directly from the board’s website following this update.

If you continue to practice landscape architecture with an expired registration in the state of Arkansas, you will be subject to a civil penalty and any other disciplinary action that the board deems appropriate. Individual registration may be renewed online only between January 1 and January 31 every year. Any license holder failing to properly renew during this period must complete a licensure reinstatement application in paper form with the board office.

NOTICE: If you have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; of a misdemeanor involving fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; or of any crime other than a minor traffic violation in any jurisdiction that has not been previously reported to the board, you are NOT ELIGIBLE to use the online renewal system. You are required to submit a paper licensure renewal application to the board along with a list of date(s) and crime(s), a copy of the court judgment(s), and a letter of explanation regarding your conviction or pending charges. The paper application, along with supporting materials, will be presented to the board for review at the next scheduled meeting.

NOTICE: If you have been charged disciplined, or are currently under investigation by any governing or licensing board that has not been previously reported to the board, you are NOT ELIGIBLE to use the online renewal system. You are required to submit a paper licensure renewal application to the board along with a list of date(s) and violation(s), a copy of the consent order(s), and a letter of explanation regarding the disciplinary action or pending charges. The paper application, along with supporting materials, will be presented to the board for review at the next scheduled meeting.

Individual License Online Renewal

Online Renewal Available – January 1st annually

We are happy to help! If you need assistance with the online renewal process,
please contact the board office at (501) 682-3171 or [email protected].

Continuing Education

NOTICE: In accordance with the changes adopted on September 15, 2013 to the ASBALAID rules and regulations, all licensed landscape architects are required to obtain twelve (12) structured health, safety, and welfare (HSW) credits each calendar year as a condition of licensure renewal. The board has directed that the implementation date of this new standard shall commence on January 1, 2014. As a condition for licensure renewal in January 2015, each licensed landscape architect will be required to have obtained twelve (12) HSW credits between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014.

The January 2014 renewal period served as the final opportunity for licensed landscape architect’s to submit continuing-education credits in accordance with the board’s prior standards.

How much continuing education is required?

1. In addition to all other requirements for registration renewal, each Arkansas registered landscape architect must complete a minimum of twelve (12) continuing-education hours each calendar year. A continuing-education hour (CEH) shall represent one continuous instructional hour (50 to 60 minutes of contact) spent in structured education activities intended to increase or update the landscape architect’s knowledge and competence in HSW subjects.
2. All CEHs must be completed in HSW subjects acquired in structured educational activities.

Reinstatement of Lapsed License

1. An individual whose license has lapsed for any reason may be reinstated at any time within three (3) years from the date of cancellation of the registration.

   1. Before reinstatement, the individual must demonstrate compliance with the Act and with the current Rules and Regulations. 
   2. The applicant must pay all fees that have accrued since the time of cancellation as well as the amount of penalties due.

2. Registrants who hold a CLARB certification and have allowed their registrations to lapse for a period of three (3) or more years must reapply through reciprocity. 
3. The board may reissue a certificate of registration to any person whose certificate has lapsed or has been suspended or revoked, provided that there are no pending charges of violations of Arkansas law.

Application Fees

Every applicant shall include with her or her application a nonrefundable filing fee, determined in accordance with this schedule:

1. Application for Initial Licensure	$250
2. Application for Emeritus Status Registration	$20

Annual Renewal Fee

Every applicant for registration renewal shall include with his or her application a nonrefundable renewal fee, determined in accordance with the schedule set forth as follows:

1. Annual Renewal of Individual Registration	$100*
2. Annual Renewal of Emeritus Status Registration	$20

*The total amount will be adjusted for online licensure renewals to allow for electronic processing of the transaction. This online service is provided by a third party that is working in partnership with the state of Arkansas. The price of the item purchased through the service includes funds used to develop, maintain, and enhance the state’s official web portal, Arkansas.gov.

Reinstatement / Late Fees

Registrations for individuals that have expired or have been revoked due to nonpayment of the annual renewal fee may be reinstated through the payment of the renewal fee in effect at the time, plus a penalty of fifty dollars ($50) per month for the first three (3) months when the registration was expired or revoked. Thereafter, an additional penalty of one hundred dollars ($100) for the maximum of three (3) years shall be levied in accordance with the schedule set forth below:

Month of Reinstatement	Renewal Fee	Late Fee	Total
1 Month Expired	$100	$50	$150
2 Months Expired	$100	$100	$200
3 Months Expired	$100	$150	$250
4-12 Months Expired	$100	$250	$350
13-24 Months Expired	$200	$300	$700
24-36 Months Expired	$300	$750	$1,050

Miscellaneous Fees

Replacement or Duplicate Wall Certificate	$30
Returned Check Fee	$25