Application for examination
If you want to take the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE) in Oregon, you should apply directly through the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). There is no need to secure pre-approval from the Board before submitting your application.
Board examination standards
To qualify for registration, you must successfully complete all sections of the LARE or an equivalent version of previous national exams offered by CLARB.
- The current LARE is divided into four sections, each administered by CLARB at independent test centers.
- For additional details, please review the Exam Dates and Fees page.
- The Board collaborates with CLARB to determine the equivalency of older exams in comparison to the current LARE.
- It is important to note that other state or provincial exams, whether past or present, are not accepted as substitutes for LARE.
Board education and work experience standards
Pathways to registration
There are eight distinct "8 by 8" pathways to registration. Each pathway requires a total of eight years of qualifying experience, but the balance between education and work experience varies by pathway.
- A summary table and detailed descriptions of each pathway are available.
- The official administrative rules will always take precedence over these summaries.
LAAB/LAAC degree pathway
Either an LAAB or LAAC degree is considered by the Board to equate to 5 years of education experience. The Board does not require any supplemental work experience to meet the education standard. The Board does require 3 years of qualifying work experience under its separate work experience standard for registration. In other words, a total of 8 years of qualifying experience from education (5 years granted) and work experience (3 years needed) is required.
Non-LAAB/LAAC degree pathways
Applicants who do not have a LAAB/LAAC-accredited degree can fulfill the education standard by combining academic work and supplemental experience in landscape architecture. The supplemental work required here is distinct from the general three-year experience required for all applicants. You must accumulate 8 years of qualifying experience, which must include 5 years of educational equivalency.
Education credit guidelines
(These degrees cannot be combined to satisfy the 5-year education requirement.)
- Non-accredited B.L.A. or M.L.A.
- 4 years of education credit
- 1 year of supplemental work experience required
- Certificate in Landscape Architecture
- 2 years of education credit
- 3 years of supplemental work experience required
- Accredited B.Arch. or M.Arch.
- 4 years of education credit
- 1 year of supplemental work experience required
- Accredited Civil Engineering degree
- 4 years of education credit
- 1 year of supplemental work experience required
- Any other Bachelor's degree
- 2 years of education credit
- 3 years of supplemental work experience required
- Any Associate's degree
- 1 year of education credit
- 4 years of supplemental work experience required
Supplemental work experience for non-LAAB degrees
- Up to 3 years of diversified experience in landscape architecture, under the direct supervision of a licensed or registered Landscape Architect, may count toward fulfilling the 5-year education standard.
- This experience must be directly supervised by a licensed or registered Landscape Architect.
- Experience used to fulfill the education requirement cannot also be used to satisfy the separate 3-year general work experience requirement for registration.
- You may accumulate this experience either before or after completing your degree.
No degree pathway – experience in place of education
- If you do not possess a degree, you may fulfill the education requirement by working for 5 years under the direct supervision of a licensed or registered Landscape Architect.
- Additional qualifying work experience is still necessary to reach the total 8-year requirement.
- Contact the Board office for guidance on how to document this work experience.
- Further details about education and experience requirements are available in OAR Chapter 804, Divisions 10 and 20, which can be found on the Laws & Rules page of the Board's website.