Overview of examination requirement
To become a registered Landscape Architect in Oregon, you must pass the national Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE). This exam is the standard for the profession in the state. For more details about the exam process, check the Board's
Exam and Registration FAQs and the information in this section.
What is the LARE?
The LARE is a computer-based test designed to confirm that candidates have the basic knowledge and skills to practice landscape architecture safely and responsibly. The Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB)—an organization made up of state and provincial regulatory boards—creates, runs, and scores the exam. CLARB ensures the test stays fair and up to date.
Where can you take the exam?
CLARB works with a testing company to offer the LARE at independent test centers. There are several testing sites in Oregon and neighboring states. When you register, you can pick your preferred location. If you have trouble getting to a test center, CLARB provides a remote proctoring option. If you need remote proctoring, contact CLARB for help.
Exam structure
The LARE has four sections, each focused on a different area of landscape architecture:
- Construction documentation/administration
- Inventory/analysis/project management
- Planning/design
- Grading/drainage/stormwater management
If you took exam sections in an older version of the LARE, you can contact CLARB to see how your past results apply. The
LARE exam blueprint explains how earlier sections (1 to 4) match with the current sections and lists what content each section covers.
Taking the exam
The four LARE sections are independent, so you can take them in any order. You can choose to take them one at a time or several at once. The exam uses different types of questions, including multiple-choice, multiple-response, "drag and place," and "hot spot" questions. For more on how the test is structured and what types of questions to expect, review CLARB's
LARE exam blueprint and the
LARE Orientation Guide.
How exam content is decided
Every 5-7 years, CLARB analyzes the tasks Landscape Architects do on the job. Survey participants rate job tasks by how often they do them, how important the tasks are, and whether new licensees need to know them. Tasks that are both common and important become the focus of the LARE. Survey results are reviewed by subject matter experts and licensed Landscape Architects from various backgrounds and regions.
Accepting old exams and equivalency
The Board will count earlier national exam versions—like the CLARB “UNE" or previous LAREs—as equivalent to the current LARE. The Board works with CLARB to decide if a past exam is equal to the current one. However, the Board does not accept other state or provincial exams, whether old or new, instead of the national exam.
Helpful resources for candidates
The Board recommends the following resources for people preparing for the LARE:
Visit the
CLARB website for a variety of LARE related resources that may help you prepare for the exam. CLARB also posts information here about webinars held periodically to share information about the LARE and licensure.