Frequently Asked Questions about Board of Registration of Landscape Architects
By the Division of Professional Licensure
- How can I obtain a copy of the Massachusetts General Laws for this Board?
- When is the Landscape Architect examintion administered?
- What type of examination is administered?
- How is the examination administered?
- How often do I have to renew my license?
- Does Massachusetts have reciprocity?
- Are there any Landscape Architect Associations that I can contact?
- How can I have my Internship deferred?
- What is the deadline for applications for FIRST time candidates?
- As a first time candidate testing for the L.A.R.E am I eligible to sit for the April exam administered by CLARB?
- What if I miss the March 1st deadline?
- What is the 3 year rule?
- How do I prepare for the Massachusetts Section of the Exam (Section F)?
How can I obtain a copy of the Massachusetts General Laws for this Board?
Please visit the General Laws of Massachusetts web pages at www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/index.htm
When is the Landscape Architect examintion administered?
Sections C,E (CLARB section) and F (MA section) are administered in June and December. December exams may only be taken if the candidate was approved by the March 1st deadline. Sections A, B, and D are administered by CLARB. CLARB changes its testing schedule periodically. Once a candidate is approved in March to sit for the exam, it is the candidate's responsibility to sign up for and take each section.
What type of examination is administered?
It is a National exam. The Massachusetts portion of the exam is Section 8, which consists of plant identification and wetland regulations.
How is the examination administered?
Sections C, E, and F (MA section) are administered as pencil and paper exams. Sections A, B, and D are computerized exams.
How often do I have to renew my license?
Licenses are renewed on January 31 (annually).
Does Massachusetts have reciprocity?
Yes. See the Reciprocity/Examination Form on our Applications and Forms page.
Are there any Landscape Architect Associations that I can contact?
Contact:
The Council of Landscape Architectual Registration Boards
(CLARB)
12700 Fair Lakes Circle, Suite 110
Fairfax, Virginia 22033
tel. 703/818-1300Boston Society of Landscape Architects
(BSLA)
19 Harrison Street
Framingham, MA 01702
tel. 508/620-5018
How can I have my Internship deferred?
Mail Only copies of the InternshipDeferment Loan to the Board and provide the name and address of the lender and the applicant.
What is the deadline for applications for FIRST time candidates?
Applications must be RECEIVED by the testing company Professional Credential Services (PCS) by March 1st each year. This is the only application period for first-time testing applications.
As a first time candidate testing for the L.A.R.E am I eligible to sit for the April exam administered by CLARB?
NO. In order to obtain original licensure as a Massachusetts Landscape Architect, the application must first be approved by the Board of Registration for Landscape Architects. Once the Board approves the application, the first exam the applicant would be eligible to take is the June exam (sections C, E, and F).
What if I miss the March 1st deadline?
You will not be able to sit for an exam until the following June (pending approval of application).
You must complete/pass the L.A.R.E within a 3 year period, taking each exam section NO more than three (3) times each. Should a candidate NOT successfully complete all test sections within the three (3) year time period, then the candidate must apply again to the Board and the three (3) year process begins again. This is a Massachusetts requirement.
How do I prepare for the Massachusetts Section of the Exam (Section F)?
Please visit the Board's Exam Section F: Background information for obtaining study materials.