Interim Policy on uniform landscape architect examination and extension of credits
The Board of Registration of Landscape Architects (Board) issues this Interim Policy related to the Landscape Architect Registration Exam (LARE) administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). This Interim Policy will remain in full force and effect until amended or repealed by the Board.
Background: The LARE is a four-part computer-based examination prepared and scored by CLARB, intended to determine whether applicants for landscape architectural licensure possess sufficient knowledge, skill and ability to provide minimal competency for services that pose no risk to the health, safety and welfare of the public.
The “Blueprint” of the LARE has changed effective with the December 2023 administration of the exam, and the former Sections 1 through 4 are not identical to the sections of LARE under the New Blueprint. The Board recommends that candidates study the transition provisions available on the CLARB website pages about LARE. In particular, candidates should become familiar with transfer of credits earned under the former Exam Blueprint to the New Blueprint.
Requests for Extensions of Credits that Expired During and After Public Health Emergency.
The Board will consider, on a case-by-case basis, granting relief to candidates who passed sections of the LARE and whose credits expired during the period of the public health emergency declared by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (“US HHS”) from January 30, 2020 through May 11, 2023, which have not been subsequently replaced by new credits for the same sections. Factors that the Board will consider will include but are not limited to:
- Impact of the public health emergency on the health of the candidate or their dependents and effects on applicant’s ability to take LARE sections during that emergency;
- Availability of LARE test centers during the public health emergency;
- Amount of time available after the public health emergency to pass all sections of the LARE within the five-year period currently required by 242 Code Mass. Regs. 3.06(2); and
- Effects of the changing LARE blueprint effective as of December 2023 on the applicant’s ability to pass all sections of the LARE within the five-year period.
The Board will also consider granting relief to candidates whose LARE credits expired after the public health emergency but before December 31, 2024, based on factors including but not limited to those listed above.