Renewal and Reporting of CE Coming Soon! The date for which the late fee will be imposed has been extended to August 1, 2023!Read More
There have been so many problems and issues with the current license renewal system that the Board has hired Imp Designs to build an online system that is unique to the NC Board of Landscape Architects for License Renewal and Reporting of CE. Thank you for your patience as we work toward completion. The launch date is currently scheduled for mid-May. The date for which the late fee will be imposed has been extended to August 1, 2023! Contact us if you have questions.
The NC Board of Landscape Architects is responsible for reviewing and considering applications for license by examination, comity, reinstatement and corporations.
Individual Licensure by Examination
Online Application Coming Soon! A new system for online application will be launching soon (Summer 2023). Those who need their NC landscape architecture license immediately may use the paper application and associated forms in the side panel of this page. Completed application materials may be sent by email to contact@ncbola.org.
Applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
Applicant must be of good moral character.
Applicant must be a graduate of a curriculum in landscape architecture from a Landscape Architect Accreditation Board (LAAB) accredited institution.
Applicants must have at least four years of experience working under a licensed landscape architect.
Applicants with an LAAB accredited degree in landscape architecture may begin the exam registration process directly through CLARB. Once you have taken and passed all sections of the Landscape Architect Registration Exam (L.A.R.E.) and have met all of the requirements for licensure as listed above, you may then make application to the NC Board for license by examination. Begin the Exam Process through CLARB: https://www.clarb.org/take-the-exam
Applicants without an LAAB accredited degree, but who have had a minimum of 10 years of education and experience in landscape architecture, in any combination deemed suitable by the Board, may make application to the Board to take the L.A.R.E. Applicants should include an electronic portfolio, ten pages or less, representative of their relevant landscape architecture experience.
About the L.A.R.E. The North Carolina Board of Landscape Architects uses the Landscape Architect Registration Exam (L.A.R.E.), a national examination developed by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). The L.A.R.E. is a four-part examination designed to determine whether applicants for landscape architectural licensure possess sufficient knowledge, skills and abilities to provide services without endangering the health, safety and welfare of the public.
View Application Steps
Online Application Coming Soon! A new system for online application will be launching soon (Summer 2023). Those who need their NC landscape architecture license immediately may use the paper application and associated forms in the side panel of this page. Completed application materials may be sent by email to contact@ncbola.org.
Complete the Individual Application for License and submit to the Board
Pay the $100 application fee by check or money order (MasterCard or Visa payment will be available with online application)
Contact CLARB and ask that they transmit your CLARB Council Record to the NC Board*
If you do not have a CLARB Council Record, in addition to the application, you must
Have (3) Confidential Reference Forms (at least one must be a licensed landscape architect who is familiar with your work, not necessarily a NC licensed LA) submit references to the Board.
Have Employer Verification Forms from past and present employers in all related fields submit verification to the Board.
Please note the following…
Even if you have the CLARB Council Record, you are required to complete the entire Individual Application for License process. Please be sure that the references asked to submit during the application process are the same references that are included in the Council Record. If the references listed in the Council Record are no longer accessible or if you list someone different on the Board application, you must ask that the individual provide the confidential reference to the Board.
Individual License by Comity
Applicants for Comity must have an active license in another jurisdiction with equal or equivalent requirements to those of the NC Board, and must have taken and passed the Landscape Architect Registration Exam (L.A.R.E.) or equivalent examination. Applicants must complete the entire application process including requesting transmission of the Council Record from CLARB or by requesting that transcripts, references and employer verification be sent to the Board. The Board will require verification of license in all jurisdictions where a license has been or is held to be sent directly from each jurisdiction.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Applicants must be of good moral character.
Applicants must be a graduate of a curriculum in landscape architecture from a Landscape Architect Accreditation Board (LAAB) accredited institution.
Applicants must have at least four years of experience working under a licensed landscape architect.
Applicants must have taken and passed the L.A.R.E. or equivalent examination.
Applicants must hold a valid license in another jurisdiction with equal or equivalent requirements to those of the NC Board of Landscape Architects.
View Application Steps
Online Application Coming Soon! A new system for online application will be launching soon (Summer 2023). Those who need their NC landscape architecture license immediately may use the paper application and associated forms in the side panel of this page. Completed application materials may be sent by email to contact@ncbola.org.
Complete the Individual Application for License submit to the Board
Pay the $100 application fee by check or money order (MasterCard or Visa payment will be available with online application)
Contact CLARB and ask that they transmit your CLARB Council Record to the NC Board* OR
If you do not have a CLARB Council Record, in addition to the application, you must
Have (3) Confidential Reference Forms (at least one must be a licensed landscape architect who is familiar with your work, not necessarily a NC licensed LA) submit references directly to the Board.
Have Employer Verification Forms from past and present employers in all related fields submit verification directly to the Board.
Please note the following…
*Even if you have the CLARB Council Record, you are required to complete the entire Individual Application for License. Please be sure that the references listed on the Board application are the same references that are included in the Council Record. If the references listed in the Council Record are no longer accessible or if you list someone different on the Board application, you must ask that the individual provide the confidential reference to the Board.
Licensure FAQs
What’s the time frame for my application to be reviewed and approved?
The Board Administrator has been granted administrative authority to review and provisionally approve those applications that meet the requirements of the Board to the letter of the law. These applications will not be required to wait for the regularly scheduled quarterly meeting of the Board. The Administrator can provisionally approve applications and then the Board will give final approval to the application at their next regularly scheduled meeting. Applications are reviewed and approved by the Administrator on a daily basis. Applicants for comity may be licensed prior to the quarterly Board meeting, depending on when the application is received and if the required documentation is received in a timely manner.
If the application does not meet the minimum requirements, the application will be reviewed at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board, where the application and supporting documentation are received at least (3) weeks prior to that meeting.