Licensing Examination Information

The LARE is a national licensing examination that measures knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to the profession; it is a product of the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). It consists of five sections; three multiple-choice and two graphic performance. You may visit CLARB’s Web site at www.clarb.org for more information on the scope and structure of the LARE.

In addition to passing the LARE, California candidates are required to pass the multiple-choice California Supplemental Examination (CSE) before obtaining licensure. The CSE tests candidates on subject areas that are unique to the practice of landscape architecture in California.

The following multiple-choice sections are administered twice a year by CLARB via a computer based methodology:

• Section A – Project and Construction Administration
• Section B – Inventory, Analysis and Program Development
• Section D – Design and Construction Documentation

Candidates register for these sections with CLARB after establishing eligibility with the LATC (explained below).

PLEASE NOTE: When registering on CLARB's Web site, a CLARB Council Record is not required in California.

The following graphic performance sections are administered by the LATC in the paper and pencil format every June and December:

• Section C – Site Design
• Section E – Grading, Drainage and Stormwater Management

New California candidates (those wishing to initially obtain licensure in California) are required to establish eligibility in California by meeting the requisite education and training/experience requirements, as mandated by Business and Professions Code Section 5650, prior to registering for any section of the LARE; this is done by submitting an First-Time Examination Application, Certification of Experience and required documentation to the LATC, postmarked by the applicable deadline (see details below). New candidates who do not meet California’s eligibility requirements will not receive examination credit towards licensure.

Registering/Applying for Eligibility for the Examination

California candidates must meet the following requirements prior to registering for any section of the LARE:

• Be at least 18 years of age (or have graduated from high school in order to receive training/experience credit)
• Have a bachelors, masters, associate degree, or extension certificate in landscape architecture
• Have at least two years of qualifying training/experience credit (at least one of the two years must be under the direct supervision of a landscape architect licensed in a U.S. jurisdiction and must be gained after graduation from a qualifying education program); candidates with experience as a self-employed licensed landscape contractor and holding a bachelors, masters, associate degree, or extension certificate in landscape architecture are not required to obtain training under the direct supervision of a landscape architect
• The combined education and experience must equal six years of credit as outlined below

When applying for eligibility, applicants must mail all required information and fee(s) to the LATC, postmarked by the registration deadline.  Application materials postmarked after the deadline will be considered for the next administration of the examination.

First-Time California Candidates

In order to register for the LARE, all first-time California candidates must:

1.  Meet California eligibility requirements
2.  Submit an First Time Examination Application to the LATC with:

• Sealed/Official Transcripts from a qualifying educational program(s)
• A Certification of Experience from each licensed supervisor qualifying candidate’s experience (must be a landscape architect, architect, and/or engineer with a current and valid license)
• An Application Evaluation Fee payment of $35 and, if applicable, payment for Sections C and/or E (see additional registration instructions for Sections A, B, and D below). Money orders, cashiers checks, or personal checks must be made payable to the LATC. Credit cards are not accepted at this time.
• If applicable, a Reasonable Accommodation Request and required documentation
• If applicable, a General Credential Evaluation (for foreign educated applicants only)

Qualified candidates will be scheduled for Sections C and/or E, if applicable, and will be mailed a Notice of Eligibility for purposes of registering for Sections A, B, and/or D with CLARB. Candidates should not register with CLARB without having received a Notice of Eligibility from the LATC. For additional information or to register for Sections A, B, and D, visit www.clarb.org.

Callfornia Re-Examination Candidates

Candidates who have previously been determined eligible in California must submit the following to the LATC if registering for Sections C and/or E:

• Re-Examination Application
• An Application Evaluation Fee payment of $35 and payment for Sections C and/or E (see additional registration instructions for Sections A, B, and D under First-Time California Candidates). Money orders, cashiers checks, or personal checks must be made payable to the LATC. Credit cards are not accepted at this time
• If applicable, a Reasonable Accommodation Request and required documentation

Reciprocity Candidates

• Reciprocity Requirements
• Application for Reciprocity

Examination Fees

Examination Dates and Locations

Sections C and E of the LARE are administered by the LATC every June and December in northern and southern California. 

Sections A, B, and D are administered through CLARB at computer-based test sites.  Candidates should not register with CLARB unless they are California Re-Examination/Eligible Candidates or have received a Notice of Eligibility from the LATC (explained above under First-Time California Candidates and California Re-Examination Candidates above).  Registration for Sections A, B, and D must be done online at www.clarb.org.

PLEASE NOTE: A CLARB Council Record is not required in California.

Preparing for the Examination

Study materials for the LARE may be purchased from CLARB at www.clarb.org or by calling (571) 432-0332.

Prep courses may also be provided through the CCASLA, California chapters of the ASLA, and landscape architecture programs listed on the Links page.

Review of Failed Graphic Performance Sections (LARE Sections C and E)

Upon receipt of examination results, candidates who have failed Sections C and/or E will receive a Request for Exam Review form to be completed and returned by the stated deadline. Review sessions are held in northern and southern California approximately six to eight weeks after the deadline. Candidates will be contacted by LATC staff to schedule an appointment.

There are two types of reviews available:

Standard Review - is the least expensive process for candidates, but requires the candidate to determine his/her own weaknesses. During the Standard Review, the candidate is able to review his/her failed examination solutions against the evaluation criteria that was used to grade the examinations. A candidate should not expect to see any marks on your solutions, nor should he/she expect to receive the specific reason(s) why the problem failed. A candidate must review the evaluation criteria and determine which one or more of the specific items was lacking in the solution. The Standard Review is an effective process for many candidates. Most of the errors on the problems can be easily identified upon review of the evaluation criteria. However, if a candidate does not possess a certain knowledge about a subject, he/she may need the Red-Line solution to point out the weakness. The fee for a Standard Review is $60.00 for Section C and $60.00 for Section E.

Red-Line Review - allows a candidate to review a marked-up copy of failing graphic solutions. The red-line process is completed outside of the grading process to eliminate any bias during the grading of examinations. Each examination must be independently evaluated by different graders which prohibits the ability for any grader to mark on the examinations. A candidate will receive general comments on the weakness exhibited on each problem. For example, a circulation design may have a comment near it that reads: "The candidate does not understand circulation safety, vehicular circulation conflicts with pedestrian circulation." The comments are intended to help a candidate define his/her areas of weakness so that he/she can better prepare for the next administration of the examination. The specific criteria which caused the resulting score will not be outlined. A candidate will only receive the vignettes that he/she failed. Vignettes that a candidate passed will not be included. The Red-Line Review fee is $140.00 for Section C and $140.00 for Section E.

A Request for Review form will be included with examination results, if applicable. 

Examination Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for the LARE in California, candidates must have a combinination of six years of educational and training/experience credit.  Qualifying credits can be accrued as outlined below.