- How can I obtain a copy of the Massachusetts General Laws for this Board?
- What type of examination is administered and who administers it?
- May I apply directly to CLARB as a first time candidate?
- When is the Landscape Architect examination administered?
- What is the deadline for applications for FIRST time candidates?
- What happens after I am approved to take the L.A.R.E? How many times can I take each Section?
- How do I prepare for the Massachusetts Section of the Exam (Section F)?
- How often do I have to renew my license?
- Does Massachusetts have reciprocity?
- What happens if I have started taking the CLARB sections without submitting an application to the Massachusetts Board of Registration for Landscape Architects?
- Are there any Landscape Architecture Associations that I can contact?
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
What type of examination is administered and who administers it?
The Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.) is a multiple choice and graphics examination administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB), a national organization. CLARB's website is www.clarb.org. The multiple choice sections are A, B and D. The graphics sections of the L.A.R.E. are C and E.
In addition to the national examination, Massachusetts requires an additional test section. Section F, the Massachusetts section, covers laws and regulations specific to Massachusetts, plus additional testing on plant material.
May I apply directly to CLARB as a first time candidate?
NO! Massachusetts laws require a first time applicant to submit an application to the Board of Registration, who will approve the applicant for testing. Please see the "Applications and Forms" section of this website to obtain an application for first time testing. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts retains the services of a testing service to provide applications and coordinate testing.
The testing service provides additional information on its website as to the procedures, processes and deadlines for applicants.
When is the Landscape Architect examination administered?
Please see the website of the testing service (through the "Applications and Forms" page) to see the schedule for the testing of the different sections in Massachusetts.
What is the deadline for applications for FIRST time candidates?
Because each section of the test is offered several times each year, the Board of Registration reviews applications on a year round basis. Follow the procedures of the testing service, which coordinates the final applications and sends them to the Board for review and approval.
What happens after I am approved to take the L.A.R.E? How many times can I take each Section?
Following approval by the Board, the first time applicant schedules and pays for the testing of each Section directly with the testing service. Per Massachusetts regulations, each applicant must complete and pass EACH section of the L.A.R.E. plus the Massachusetts Section F within a three (3) year period, taking each section no more than three (3) times. The three year period begins on the date of the first examination. Should a candidate NOT successfully complete all test sections within the three (3) year 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 see the website for the testing service through the Board of Registrations "Applications and Forms" web page. The testing service provides information on the exam and on the preparation materials for Section F.
How often do I have to renew my license?
Licenses are renewed annually, and expire January 31 of each year if not renewed. Licensees are mailed ONE (1) notification. It is the Licensee's responsibility to notify the Board of any change of address, and to renew his/her license annually.
Does Massachusetts have reciprocity?
Yes. See the Reciprocity/Examination Form on our Applications and Forms page. Candidates for reciprocity can expect to be required to take Section F, the test section pertaining to Massachusetts laws and regulations.
What happens if I have started taking the CLARB sections without submitting an application to the Massachusetts Board of Registration for Landscape Architects?
Should a candidate begin taking the sections of the L.A.R.E. directly through CLARB and would like to obtain a Massachusetts landscape architectural license, he/she must submit a first time candidate application to the Board along with a letter outlining the situation and a copy of the test dates and results. The Board will review each situation on a case-by-case basis. The Board may require the candidate to complete the L.A.R.E. testing in the state in which it was started, and then submit an application for reciprocity for a Massachusetts license.
Are there any Landscape Architecture Associations that I can contact?
The Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB)
3949 Pender Drive, Suite 120
Fairfax, VA 22030
T. 571-432-0332
E. info@clarb.org
www.clarb.orgBoston Society of Landscape Architects (BSLA)
19 Harrison Street
Framingham MA 01702
T. 508-620-5019
E. ChapterOffice@bslaweb.org
www.bslaweb.org