You need to fulfill three general requirements before getting your license: Education, examination, and experience.

The board adopts the CLARB's "Standards of Eligibility for Council Certification" as the standard for the education and experience requirements for applicants with a degree. The board does not require a CLARB council certificate for licensure.

Subject to the provisions of RCW 18.96.090, the board adopts the landscape architectural registration examination and grading procedure prepared by CLARB as the state examination for licensure. CLARB will administer the entire examination for Washington candidates, and will collect examination and reexamination fees accordingly.

(1) To register for the examination.

(a) If you have a degree:

(i) Apply directly to CLARB. Your materials will be evaluated using CLARB's "Standards of Eligibility for CLARB Test Center Candidates."

(ii) Contact CLARB to register for the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE).

(iii) CLARB will register you and administer the exam. You will pay the fees for examination and reexamination directly to CLARB.

(b) If you do not have a degree:

(i) You must have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least eight years practical landscape architectural work experience.

(A) At least six years of work experience must be under the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect.

(B) The remaining two years can be any combination of the following as approved by the board:

(I) Postsecondary education courses in landscape architecture, landscape architectural technology or a related field, if the courses are equivalent to education courses in an accredited landscape architectural degree program.

With a passing grade, thirty-two semester credit hours or forty-five quarter hours is considered to be one year. Any fraction, one-half year or greater, will be counted one-half year, and less than one-half year will not be counted.

(II) Work experience in landscape design as a principal activity.

(I) At least thirty-five hours per week for at least two continuous months - 100%.

(II) At least twenty hours per week for at least four continuous months - 50%.

(ii) Submit the following to the board office:

(A) The board's official application form and application fee. The application fee is not refundable.

(B) Evidence of your qualifications and experience as shown by:

(I) National certification from CLARB, sent directly to the Washington board office from CLARB; or

(II) The following materials:

• An official sealed transcript showing any applicable courses you have taken from a community college, technical college, or university. The transcript must be sent directly from the college or university to the board office.

• Verification by at least two licensed landscape architects who have reviewed and provided written acknowledgment of your work.

(iii) If your application is approved, it will be sent to CLARB and CLARB will register you and administer the exam. You will pay the fees for examination and reexamination directly to CLARB.

(2) To obtain a license, submit the following to the board office:

(a) If you have a degree:

(i) The board's official application form with the application fee. The application fee is not refundable;

(ii) Evidence of your qualifications and experience as shown by:

(A) National certification from CLARB, sent directly to the Washington board office from CLARB; or

(B) The following materials:

(I) Verification of successful completion of the exam; and

(II) Statements of previous employers covering full-time employment for a minimum of three years of diversified experience in landscape architecture based on CLARB's Standards of Eligibility for Council Certification;

(iii) The initial license fee;

(iv) A written review of laws related to the practice of landscape architecture as outlined in WAC 308-13-031;

(b) If you don't have a degree:

(i) Evidence of your qualifications and experience as shown by:

(A) National certification from CLARB, sent directly to the Washington board office from CLARB; or

(B) Verification of successful completion of the exam;

(ii) The initial license fee;

(iii) A written review of laws related to the practice of landscape architecture as outlined in WAC 308-13-031.

PDFWAC 308-13-020

How do I get a license?