Section 1275.10  Application for Registration Under Section 11(e) of the Act (Grandfather) (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 22 Ill. Reg. 10597, effective June 1, 1998)

 

Section 1275.15  Application for Registration Under Section 55 of the Act (Grandfather)

 

a)         Pursuant to Section 55 of the Landscape Architecture Registration Act (Act) [225 ILCS 316], the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation – Division of Professional Regulation (Division) will restore a landscape architecture registration to active status without a fee, if the registrant was actively registered and in good standing under the Illinois Landscape Architecture Act of 1989 [225 ILCS 315] prior to January 1, 2020, as determined by Division records.

 

b)         A certification of registration issued under this Section shall remain active until the next scheduled renewal date, at which time, the registrant must comply with all requirements set forth in Section 1275.70.

 

(Source:  Added at 46 Ill. Reg. 16806, effective September 26, 2022)

 

Section 1275.20  Acceptable Education Programs

 

An applicant for registration as a landscape architect must complete education in landscape architecture by satisfying the requirements from either an Approved Program or a Non-Approved Program as defined in this Section.  Any applicant who gained a baccalaureate education outside the United States and is not Landscape Architectural Accreditation Council (LAAC) accredited, shall have the education evaluated, at the applicant's expense.  Applicants shall obtain the forms from the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) at https://www.ece.org/ and have the evaluation sent from ECE to the Division for review by the Board.  The Board will review the evaluation to determine if the applicant's credentials are substantially equivalent to the educational requirements set forth in this Section.

 

a)         Approved Program

 

1)         The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation-Division of Professional Regulation (Division) has determined that landscape architecture programs accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) or the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Accreditation Council (CSLAAC) are considered to meet the minimum criteria for education programs and are, therefore, approved.:

 

2)         In determining whether a program shall be approved, the Division shall take into consideration, but not be bound by, accreditation or approval by the LAAB.

 

3)         The Division has determined that all landscape architecture programs accredited or approved by the LAAB as of January 1, 1998 meet the minimum criteria set forth in this Section and are, therefore, approved.

 

b)         Non Approved Program

 

1)         A non-approved program shall be defined as a degree which was gained from an educational institution legally recognized by the jurisdiction in which it is located to confer a degree of at least two years in length, and which:

 

A)        Satisfies the alternative education requirements specified within the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Board Uniform Standard; and

 

B)        Satisfies the direct supervision experience requirement specified within Section 1275.30(b).

 

2)         Educational courses taken may be completed prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to receiving a baccalaureate degree.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 16806, effective September 26, 2022)

 

Section 1275.30  Experience

 

a)         An applicant must gain experience in the following practice domains to ensure competency necessary to protect the public and the environment:

 

1)         Project and Construction Management: includes pre-project management, project management, bidding, construction, and maintenance;

 

2)         Inventory and Analysis: includes site inventory, physical analysis, and contextual analysis;

 

3)         Design: includes stakeholder process, master planning, and site design;

 

4)         Grading, Drainage, and Construction Documentation: includes site preparation plans, general plans and details, specialty plans, and specifications.

 

b)         Applicants with an accredited degree must have completed two years of experience in the regulated practice of landscape architecture, with at least one year under the direct supervision of a licensed or registered landscape architect.  If an applicant completes only one year under the direct supervision of a licensed or regulated landscape architect, then the second year of experience must be completed under the direct supervision of a licensed professional engineer or licensed architect.

 

c)         In lieu of a degree in landscape architecture accredited by LAAB, LAAC, or their international equivalent, an applicant must obtain eight years of experience in the regulated practice of landscape architecture.  At least half of the eight years of experience must be earned under the direct supervision of a licensed or registered landscape architect.  All experience shall be under the direct supervision of a licensed or registered landscape architect, licensed architect, or licensed professional engineer.

 

1)         If an applicant holds a non-accredited degree or certificate in landscape architecture, then the applicant may be credited with one year of experience for each year of schooling completed up to a maximum of four years of credited experience.  At least half of the remaining years of experience must be earned under the direct supervision of a licensed or registered landscape architect.  All experience shall be under the direct supervision of a licensed or registered landscape architect, licensed architect, or licensed professional engineer; or

 

2)         If an applicant holds any degree or certificate, then the applicant may be credited with six months of experience for each one year of schooling completed up to a maximum of two years of credited experience.  At least half of the remaining years of experience must be earned under the direct supervision of a licensed or registered landscape architect.  All experience shall be under the direct supervision of a licensed or registered landscape architect, licensed architect, or licensed professional engineer.

 

d)         Proof of experience must be submitted on forms provided by the Division or as part of a Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) Record.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 16806, effective September 26, 2022)

 

Section 1275.40  Application for Registration

 

a)         A landscape architect applicant shall file an application, on forms supplied by the Division that includes:

 

1)         Official transcripts verifying conferral of a degree from an approved landscape architecture program as set forth in Section 1275.20;

 

2)         Certification, on forms provided by the Division, of professional experience as set forth in Section 1275.30;

 

3)         Certification, on forms provided by the Division, of successful completion of the examination as set forth in Section 1275.50;

 

4)         The fees required by Section 1275.75.

 

b)         In lieu of the certification required in subsections (a)(1), (a)(2) and (a)(3), the Division shall accept certification from the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) as long as the applicant meets the other requirements for registration under this Section.

 

c)         An applicant who gained a baccalaureate education outside the United States and is not LAAC accredited, shall have the education evaluated, at the applicant's expense.  Applicants shall obtain the forms from the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) at https://www. ece.org/ and have the evaluation sent from ECE to the Division for review by the Board.  The Board will review the evaluation to determine if the applicant's credentials are substantially equivalent to the educational requirements set forth in Section 1275.20.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 16806, effective September 26, 2022)

 

Section 1275.50  Examination

 

a)         The examination for registration as a landscape architect shall be developed and administered by CLARB.  The current examination approved by the Division is CLARB's Landscape Architect Registration Examination ("L.A.R.E.").

 

b)         The passing score on the examination shall be the passing score established by the testing entity.

 

c)         Upon attesting to CLARB of conferral of a degree from an LAAB or CSLAAC accredited curriculum in landscape architecture set forth in Section 1275.20, an applicant for examination as a landscape architect may sit for the examination as early as can be scheduled after conferral of the degree.

 

d)         Upon attesting to CLARB of meeting the alternative education set forth in Section 1275.20 and meeting the portion of the experience required under the direct supervision of a licensed or registered landscape architect set forth in Section 1275.30, an applicant for examination as a landscape architect may sit for the examination.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8323, effective June 5, 2025)

 

Section 1275.60  Endorsement

 

a)         An applicant for registration as a landscape architect who is licensed or registered under the laws of another state or territory of the United States or foreign country shall file an application with the Division, on forms provided by the Division, that includes:

 

1)         Official transcripts verifying conferral of a landscape architecture degree from a program approved by the Division in accordance with Section 1275.20;

 

2)         Certification, on forms provided by the Division, of professional experience as set forth in Section 1275.30;

 

3)         Certification, on forms provided by the Division, from the state or territory of the United States, or foreign jurisdiction, in which the applicant was originally licensed or registered and the state, territory or foreign jurisdiction in which the applicant predominantly practices and is currently licensed or registered, stating:

 

A)        The time during which the applicant was licensed or registered;

 

B)        Whether the file of the applicant contains any record of any disciplinary actions taken or pending; and

 

C)        Examinations taken and examination scores received;

 

4)         The required fee set forth in Section 1275.75;

 

5)         In lieu of the certifications required by subsections (a)(1), (a)(2) and (a)(3), the Division shall accept certification from CLARB as long as the applicant meets the other requirements for registration under this Section.

 

6)         The Division, upon recommendation of the Board, may require an applicant applying from a foreign jurisdiction to take and pass the required registration examination specified in Section 1275.50 of this Part, to verify the applicant has satisfactory knowledge and competence using U.S. accessibility, building, energy conservation, electrical, fire, plumbing, etc. codes, municipal zoning ordinances and applicable design standards to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

 

b)         An applicant who gained a baccalaureate education outside the United States and is not LAAC accredited, shall have the education evaluated, at the applicant's expense.  Applicants shall obtain the forms from the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) at https://www.ece.org/ and have the evaluation sent from ECE to the Division for review by the Board.  The Board will review the evaluation to determine if the applicant's credentials are substantially equivalent to the educational requirements set forth in Section 1275.20.  The Division may require additional information to determine if the requirements in the state or territory were substantially equivalent to the requirements in effect in Illinois at the time of application to determine whether the requirements of the state or territory, together with education and professional experience qualifications of the applicant, are substantially equivalent to the requirements in Illinois at the time of application.

 

c)         The Division may, in individual cases, upon recommendation of the Board, waive passage of one or more parts of the examination upon proof that the applicant has been lawfully engaged in the profession of registered landscape architecture in another jurisdiction for a minimum of 5 years and has provided evidence demonstrating competence in the area or areas of the examination being considered for waiver (i.e., landscape architecture education, training and experience).  If an applicant has previously failed to pass a part or parts of the examination, the applicant shall not be granted a waiver for that part or parts pursuant to this provision.

 

d)         The Division shall either issue a registration as a landscape architect to the applicant or notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for the denial of the application.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8323, effective June 5, 2025)

 

Section 1275.65  Inactive Status

 

a)         Registered landscape architects may elect to place their registration on inactive status by completing and submitting forms provided by the Division for that purpose.  Registrants on inactive status shall be excused from the payment of renewal fees.

 

b)         Any registered landscape architect seeking restoration from inactive status shall do so in accordance with Section 1275.80.

 

c)         Any person whose registration is on inactive status shall not use the title "registered landscape architect" or "landscape architect" in the State of Illinois.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 16806, effective September 26, 2022)

 

Section 1275.70  Renewal

 

a)         Every registration issued under the Act shall expire on August 31 of odd-numbered years.  The holder of a registration may renew the registration during the month preceding its expiration date by paying the required fee.

 

b)         It is the responsibility of each registrant to notify the Division of any change of address or email address.  Failure to receive a renewal form from the Division shall not constitute an excuse for failure to pay the renewal fee or to renew one's registration.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 16806, effective September 26, 2022)

 

Section 1275.75  Fees

 

The following fees may be paid to the Division and are not refundable:

 

a)         Application Fees.  The fee for application for registration as a landscape architect is $175.  In addition, applicants for an examination shall be required to pay to the designated testing service a fee covering the cost of providing the examination. 

 

b)         Renewal Fees.  The fee for the renewal of a registration is $125.

 

c)         General Fees

 

1)         The fee for the restoration of a registration other than from inactive status is $50 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $425.

 

2)         Registrants may print out a certificate of registration through the Department website.  There is no charge for the issuance of a replacement certificate of registration that has been lost or destroyed, or for issuance of a certificate of registration with a change of name or address.

 

3)         The fee for a certification of a registrant's record for any purpose is $25.

 

d)         Additional Fees

 

1)         Any person who delivers a check or other payment to the Department that is returned to the Department unpaid by the financial institution upon which it is drawn shall pay to the Department, in addition to the amount already owed to the Department, a fee of $50.

 

2)         If the check or other payment was for a renewal or issuance fee and that person practices without paying the renewal fee or issuance fee and the fee for a returned check, an additional fee of $100 shall be imposed.

 

3)         The fees imposed by this Section are in addition to any other discipline provided under the Act for registered practice on a nonrenewed registration.  The Division will notify the person that fees shall be paid to the Department by certified check or money order within 30 calendar days of the notification.

 

4)         If, after the expiration of 30 days from the date of the notification, the person has failed to submit the necessary remittance, the Division will automatically terminate the registration or certificate or deny the application without hearing.

 

5)         If, after termination or denial, the applicant seeks a registration or certificate, the applicant shall apply to the Division for restoration or issuance of the registration or certificate and pay all fees due to the Department.  The Department may establish a fee for the processing of an application for restoration of a registration or certificate to pay all expenses of processing this application.

 

6)         The Director may waive fees due under this Section in individual cases when the Director finds that the fees would be unreasonable or unnecessarily burdensome.

 

e)         All of the fees collected pursuant to this Section shall be deposited in the General Professions Dedicated Fund (See Section 70 of the Act [225 ILCS 316/70]).

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8323, effective June 5, 2025)

 

Section 1275.80  Restoration

 

a)         A person seeking restoration of a registration that has expired or been on inactive status for less than five years, or has been placed on nonrenewed status, shall file an application on forms provided by the Division, together with the restoration fees specified in Section 1275.75. When restoring a registration from inactive status, a person is required to pay the current renewal fee set forth in Section 1275.75, and to submit proof of completing the required CE as defined in Section 1275.85 of this Part and gained within the two years prior to the date of submitting the application.

 

b)         A person seeking restoration of a registration after it has expired or been placed on inactive status for more than five years shall file an application, on forms supplied by the Division, together with the following:

 

1)         The restoration fees specified in Section 1275.75. When restoring a registration from inactive status, a person is required to pay the current renewal fee set forth in Section 1275.75, submit proof of CE completion as defined in Section 1275.85 of this Part and gained within the two years prior to the date of submitting the application; and

 

2)         One of the following:

 

A)        Certification of active practice in another jurisdiction.  The certification shall include a statement from the appropriate board or licensing authority in the other jurisdiction that the registrant was authorized to practice during the term of the active practice;

 

B)        An affidavit attesting to military service as provided in Section 12 of the Act;

 

C)        Proof of passage of the L.A.R.E. examination during the period the registrant was lapsed or on inactive status; or

 

D)        Proof of employment in a responsible capacity under the direct supervision and control of a registered or licensed landscape architect, licensed architect or licensed professional engineer, as set forth in Section 1275.30.

 

c)         Any person seeking restoration of a registration within two years after discharge from military service pursuant to Section 50 of the Act will be required to pay only the current renewal.

 

d)         When the accuracy of any submitted documentation or the relevance or sufficiency of the coursework or experience is questioned by the Division or the Board because of lack of information, discrepancies or conflicts in information given or a need for clarification, the person seeking restoration of a registration shall be requested to:

 

1)         Provide information as may be necessary; and/or

 

2)         Appear for an interview before the Board to explain the relevance or sufficiency, clarify information, or clear up any discrepancies or conflicts in information.  Upon the recommendation of the Board and approval by the Division, an applicant shall have the registration restored.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8323, effective June 5, 2025)

 

Section 1275.85  Continuing Education

 

a)         Continuing Education

 

1)         Beginning with the 2027 renewal (for the period from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2027) and every renewal thereafter, in addition to other requirements, every applicant for renewal of landscape architect registration shall complete 24 credit hours of continuing education ("CE") relevant to landscape architecture, or be exempt from the continuing education requirements, as provided in subsection (f).  Failure to comply with these requirements may result in non-renewal of the landscape architect's registration, other disciplinary action, or both.

 

A)        A minimum of 16 core hours are required, which must be relevant to safeguarding public health, safety, and welfare ("HSW"), and acquired in structured educational activities defined in subsection (b)(1) of this Section.  The 16 hours shall include the following two courses:

 

i)          A minimum of one-hour of sexual harassment prevention training that shall meet the requirements of 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1130.400.  A registrant completing a course on sexual harassment prevention developed or offered by the Illinois Human Rights Act [775 ILCS 5], the registrant's employer, or an acceptable provider listed within this Section, may count that course toward the one-hour requirement under this Section (See Section 2105-15.5 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois [20 ILCS 2105/2105-15.5]).

 

ii)         A minimum of one-hour programs, courses, or activities in the area of professional conduct and/or ethics.

 

B)        The remaining eight CE hours are elective, and may be acquired either in structured educational activities defined in subsection (b)(1) or unstructured educational activities defined in subsection (b)(2).

 

2)         A pre-renewal period is the 24 months preceding September 1 of each odd-numbered year.

 

3)         A CE hour means a minimum of 50 minutes of instruction or participation.  A CE program shall not be presented during a dinner or social function.  The dinner or social function must be concluded before the CE program commences or be held after the CE program is completed.  If the program involves one or more hours of education, credit may be issued in one-half hour increments.

 

4)         The Division may conduct random audits to verify compliance with this Section.

 

5)         There is no restriction on the number of CE hours that can be completed through online or self-administered courses, provided that the courses meet the requirements of this Section.

 

6)         Landscape architects registered in Illinois but residing and practicing in other states must comply with the CE requirements set forth in this Section.  The CE hours used to satisfy the CE requirements for renewal of a landscape architect registration held in another jurisdiction may be applied to satisfy the CE requirements for renewal of the Illinois landscape architect registration, if the CE hours meet Illinois requirements.

 

7)         All CE credit hours must be in subjects directly related to the profession of landscape architecture and must be performed outside the normal practice of one's occupation.

 

b)         Activities for Which CE Credit May Be Earned

 

1)         Structured Educational Activities (minimum of 16 hours)

 

A)        Endorsed seminars from CLARB, American Society of Landscape Architects ("ASLA"), Illinois Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects ("ILASLA"), and Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System ("LA CES").

 

B)        Seminars presented by non-landscape architecture professional organizations, related to the landscape architecture profession, and approved by LA CES.

 

C)        Courses offered by a college or university related to landscape architecture.

 

i)          Per credit hour (quarter system):  10 CEs;

 

ii)         Per credit hour (semester system):  15 CEs.

 

D)        Self-study courses presented by correspondence, internet, television, video or audio, ending with an examination or other verification process.  The CE credit acquired for this activity shall be as recommended by the program sponsor.

 

2)         Unstructured Educational Activities (maximum of 8 hours)

 

A)        Teaching or instructing a course or seminar related to landscape architecture for the first time only.  Two hours of CE will be earned for every hour of teaching or instructing.  This does not apply to faculty in the performance of their regularly assigned duties.

 

B)        Authoring papers or articles related to landscape architecture that appear in nationally circulated publications, journals or trade magazines or presented to a university, professional society, or organization.  Two hours of CE will be earned per paper or presentation, but not both, and a maximum of four CE hours may be awarded per pre-renewal period.

 

C)        Active participation on a committee or holding an office in a professional or technical society related to landscape architecture.  Two hours of CE will be awarded per committee membership or office held each renewal cycle.

 

c)         The Division shall not pre-approve individual courses or programs.

 

d)         It shall be the responsibility of a registrant to maintain a record of CE for six years that includes, but is not limited, to the following:

 

1)         The name and address of the sponsor or provider, the number of hours attended in each program, the date and place of the program, and a certificate of attendance; or

 

2)         A log of activities that includes the date and number of hours claimed as CE, a brief statement of the subject matter, printed program schedules, registration receipts, or other proof of participation.

 

e)         Certification of Compliance with CE Requirements

 

1)         Each renewal applicant shall certify, on the renewal application, full compliance with the CE requirements set forth in subsection (a).

 

2)         The Division may require additional evidence demonstrating compliance with the CE requirements.  It is the responsibility of each renewal applicant to retain or otherwise produce evidence of compliance.  The additional evidence will be required in the context of the Division's random audit.

 

3)         When there appears to be a lack of compliance with CE requirements, an applicant will be notified and may be required to interview with the Board, at which time the Board may recommend that steps be taken to begin formal disciplinary proceedings as required by Section 85 of the Act.

 

f)         Exemptions:

A registrant may be exempt from the CE requirements of this Section if one of the situations described in this subsection (f) occurs. A renewal applicant that meets one of the criteria for exemption described in this subsection (f) must submit to the Division the renewal fee and documentation supporting the qualification for exemption.

 

1)         A registrant shall not be required to report CE hours during the first biennial renewal period in which the registrant obtained initial registration in Illinois, but shall be subject to the CE requirements for all subsequent biennial renewal periods.

 

2)         A registrant who is on full-time active duty in the military service of the United States or is a registrant who is called to temporary active duty in the military service or Armed Forces of the United States for a period of time exceeding 120 consecutive days during the renewal period, when that activity or location restricts the participation in a CE program or where no internet access is available, such as a forward operating base, etc.

 

3)         A registrant who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Division that meeting these requirements would be an undue hardship by reason of disability, illness, or other clearly mitigating circumstances shall submit supporting documentation.

 

A)        The documentation shall be in the form of a sworn statement by the registrant, statement from a healthcare provider, or medical record showing the disability, illness, or circumstance preventing the registrant's participation in the continuing education program during a substantial part of the renewal period.

 

B)        If the Division finds from the evidence that good cause has been shown for non-compliance, the Division will waive enforcement, extend the time within which the applicant shall comply, or establish a particular program or schedule of continuing education for the renewal period in which the undue hardship existed.

 

C)        Consecutive waiver requests made for reasons of disability, illness, or other circumstances may be prima facie evidence for non-renewal of applicant's registration based on an inability to actively engage in registered landscape architecture practice.

 

4)         Any renewal applicant who, prior to the expiration date of the registration, submits a request for a waiver, in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of this subsection (f) shall be deemed to be in good standing until the final decision on the application is made by the Division.

 

5)         Any renewal applicant who submits a request for a waiver that is denied may then request the registration be placed on inactive status.  The applicant shall comply with the CE requirements prior to restoration of the registration from inactive status, in accordance with Section 1275.80.

 

(Source:  Added at 49 Ill. Reg. 8323, effective June 5, 2025)

 

Section 1275.90  Granting Variances

 

The Director of the Division shall grant variances from this Part in individual cases when the Director finds that:

 

a)         The provision from which the variance is granted is not statutorily mandated;

 

b)         No party will be injured by the granting of the variance; and

 

c)         The rule from which the variance is granted would, in the particular case, be unreasonable or unnecessarily burdensome.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 16806, effective September 26, 2022)

 

 

Section 1275.ILLUSTRATION A   Registered Landscape Architect Seal Requirements

 

a)         Every registered landscape architect shall have a reproducible seal, or facsimile, the impression of which shall contain the name of the landscape architect, the registration number, and words "Registered Landscape Architect, State of Illinois".  Plans, specifications and reports related to landscape architectural practice and prepared by the registered landscape architect, or under the registered landscape architect's supervision, shall be stamped with the seal when filed.  A landscape architect's registration must be in full force and effect in order to seal documents.  The seal, signature and dates may be electronically affixed. 

 

b)         The following is a suggested facsimile of the design and lettering of the seal:

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8323, effective June 5, 2025)