PART 1275 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE REGISTRATION ACT : Sections Listing

TITLE 68: PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
CHAPTER VII: DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION
SUBCHAPTER b: PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
PART 1275 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE REGISTRATION ACT


AUTHORITY: Implementing the Landscape Architecture Registration Act [225 ILCS 316] and authorized by Section 2105-15(7) of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois [20 ILCS 2105/2105-15(7)].

SOURCE: Emergency rules adopted at 15 Ill. Reg. 3324, effective February 11, 1991, for a maximum of 150 days; adopted at 15 Ill. Reg. 10091, effective June 24, 1991; amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 10458, effective June 22, 1992; amended at 22 Ill. Reg. 10597, effective June 1, 1998; amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 619, effective December 31, 1999; amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 4646, effective March 2, 2006; amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 16378, effective October 18, 2013; amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 16806, effective September 26, 2022.

 

Section 1275.10  Application for Registration Under Section 11(e) of the Act (Grandfather) (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 22 Ill.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 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 1275.25 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 46 Ill. Reg. 16806, effective September 26, 2022)

 

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.

 

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 46 Ill. Reg. 16806, effective September 26, 2022)

 

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 $100.  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 shall be calculated at the rate of $60 per renewal cycle.

 

c)         General Fees

 

1)         The fee for the restoration of a license other than from inactive status is $50 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $230.

 

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 for a license 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 $20.

 

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

 

Section 1275.80  Restoration

 

a)         A person seeking restoration of a license 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.

 

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; 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 46 Ill. Reg. 16806, effective September 26, 2022)

 

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:

__________________________________

signature

 

__________________________________

date

 

expires 8-31-

 

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