Requirements
Education Overview
In order to sit for the required Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.) and eventually become licensed, applicants must meet one of several education paths, including but not limited to graduation from an LAAB- or LAAC-accredited baccalaureate or master’s degree program.
Examination Overview
Applicants must pass all sections of the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.) which is a four-part, fully computerized exam that tests the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to practice landscape architecture without endangering public health, safety, or welfare. CLARB administers the L.A.R.E. three times per year in the spring, summer and winter.
Experience Overview
Applicants for licensure must provide evidence of meeting the qualifying experience requirements. Qualifying experience consists of varied, progressive, nonrepetitive, practical experience in landscape architecture work and must be obtained under and verified by a licensed landscape architect. A limited amount of experience may be verified by a licensed architect or professional engineer.
The amount of experience needed depends upon the type of education earned.
For Additional Information
Please visit each tab – Initial License, and License (Comity) – for complete details on the Education, Examination, and Experience requirements.
Initial License
Education Overview
In order to sit for the required Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.) and eventually become licensed, you must meet one of several education paths detailed in MN Rules 1800.1500, Subp. 3, including graduation from an LAAB- or LAAC-accredited baccalaureate or master’s degree program.
If your degree is from a foreign institution (and is not LAAC-accredited), you must have your education evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). You must purchase a Course-by-Course Evaluation. The original evaluation report must be sent directly from the evaluation service to the Minnesota Board; enter the Board’s email – aelslagid@state.mn.us – as the recipient.
For details on the above, see the Required Education Evidence guidelines or MN Rule 1800.1500.
Examination Overview
Applicants must pass all sections of the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.).
Apply directly to the Council of Landscape Architecture Registration Boards (CLARB) to sit for the exam. The Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.) is a four-part, fully computerized exam that tests the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to practice landscape architecture without endangering public health, safety, or welfare. CLARB administers the L.A.R.E. three times per year in the spring, summer and winter. See their website for more information on the process including dates, deadlines and fees.
With each exam registration, you pay an examination fee. This exam fee is separate from the license application fee and is set by and paid directly to CLARB. Questions regarding the payment of this fee, as well as potential refunds due to rescheduling an exam, must be addressed directly to CLARB.
Experience Overview
Applicants for licensure must provide evidence that you meet the qualifying experience requirements. Qualifying experience consists of varied, progressive, nonrepetitive, practical experience in landscape architecture work and must be obtained under and verified by a licensed landscape architect. A limited amount of experience may be verified by a licensed architect or professional engineer. How much experience you need depends upon the type of education you earned. See MN Rule 1800.1500 Subp. 4-6 for experience requirement details.
Once you are ready to apply to the Board for licensure, you can use the Experience Verification form, which is part of the online application, to report your experience. Through the application, you create a customized form for each supervisor verifying your experience that you then send to them. The completed form must be sent by the supervisor(s) directly to the Board; it may not be submitted by the applicant. Please review this Experience Verification Form Sample for guidance.
Alternately, you may choose to establish a Council Record with the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) to submit, record, and verify your Experience and Education information.
Application Process
After passing all sections of the L.A.R.E., use the online Landscape Architecture license application to obtain your license. You may apply for licensure at any time after you have completed the Education, Experience, and Examination requirements. Follow the instructions in the application to provide all required additional information. Incomplete applications expire six (6) months after receipt.
You must also have your L.A.R.E. scores sent to the Minnesota Board as part of the application process. Go to the CLARB website and request that CLARB "transmit your record" to Minnesota. Contact CLARB for questions regarding this process.
See the Instructions Overview for more information on how to apply online.
License Application Cost
The license application fee is $75, payable via credit card at the time you submit the online application.
Licensure
Once the Board has determined that you meet all requirements for licensure, you will be sent a License Fee Letter. To obtain your professional license once you are approved, you must submit a check or money order for $120 made payable to “MN Board of AELSLAGID” along with a copy of the license fee letter referenced above. At this time, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other forms of electronic payment for the license fee.
Once the Board receives your license fee, a license number will be generated, and a license card will be mailed to you. A wall certificate signed by the Board Chair and Secretary and suitable for framing will be sent to you following the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. NOTE: You are not licensed and cannot practice or hold out as licensed until the Board processes your license and issues your license number.
Regardless of when it is obtained, your license expires June 30th of every even-numbered year unless renewed.
License (Comity)
Licensure by Comity (Reciprocity)
If you already hold a license in another jurisdiction, use the Application for Licensure as a Landscape Architect by Comity to apply for a reciprocal license in Minnesota. Follow the instructions in the application to provide all required additional information. Incomplete applications expire six (6) months after receipt.
Comity applications are reviewed based on the Education, Examination and Experience requirements that were in place in Minnesota at the time of your original licensure. (For example: If you were originally licensed in 1998, your credentials will be evaluated based on the Education, Examination and Experience requirements that were in place in Minnesota in 1998). If you do not have a CLARB Record, the application packet includes forms for providing Experience, Examination, and your existing licensure information.
License Application Fee
The comity application fee is $75, payable via check or money order made payable to “MN Board of AELSLAGID”. At this time, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other forms of electronic payment for the application fee.
Licensure
Once the Board has determined that you meet all requirements for licensure, you will be sent a License Fee Letter. To obtain your professional license once you receive the letter, you must submit a check or money order for $120 made payable to “MN Board of AELSLAGID” along with a copy of the license fee letter referenced above. At this time, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other forms of electronic payment for the license fee.
Once the Board receives your license fee, a license number will be generated, and a license card will be mailed to you. A wall certificate signed by the Board Chair and Secretary and suitable for framing will be sent to you following the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. NOTE: You are not licensed and cannot practice or hold out as licensed until the Board processes your license and issues your license number.
Regardless of when it is obtained, your license expires June 30th of every even-numbered year unless renewed.
