Information for Landscape Architects
Education and Experience Requirements
Licensure by Comity/Reciprocity
Due Dates for Comity/Reciprocity Applications
Continuing Education Requirements
Visit the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) website for assistance finding accredited education programs in landscape architecture.
Education and Experience Requirements
Licensure as a landscape architect involves completing three main components, which are education, experience and examinations. Normally, an individual must have earned an accredited professional degree in landscape architecture, obtained the minimum experience required by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB), and passed the required exams to establish a CLARB record prior to being eligible to apply for licensure as a landscape architect. Upon approval of the application by the Board and passing the South Dakota take home exam on laws and rules, the individual is licensed as a landscape architect and may begin to legally practice the profession of landscape architecture.
Applicants should refer to the Blue Book, Pages 14-15 (covering South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 36-18A-30) as well as Page 34 (covering Administrative Rule of South Dakota (ARSD) 20:38:30:04) for specific information regarding education requirements for licensure as a Landscape Architect. Applicants should refer to the Blue Book, Pages 14 and 15 (covering SDCL 36-18A-30) as well as Pages 35 and 37 (covering ARSD 20:38:31:01 and 20:38:31:05) for specific information regarding experience requirements for licensure as a Landscape Architect.
Visit the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) website for information regarding scheduled dates for Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the landscape architecture examinations.
Before taking the exam, you will need to have references complete and submit an Exam Reference Form (in Adobe .pdf format*) if such references showing experience gained under direct supervision of licensed landscape architects are not already contained in a CLARB record being submitted to the Board.
Please visit our Fees Web page for information on fees involved in the licensure of landscape architects.
Application to take the Landscape Architect Exam
Please visit our Forms and Applications Web page for any additional forms needed.
The deadline for submitting an application to the Board to begin taking the CLARB exams is the first of the month prior to the scheduled bimonthly Board meeting at which such application will be considered by the Board. For Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the computer-based exams given through CLARB, please see the deadlines on the CLARB website.
Licensure by Comity/Reciprocity
Before providing or offering to provide any landscape architectural services on projects located in South Dakota, you must be licensed in South Dakota. In order to apply for licensure, you will need to complete and submit the forms listed below. Refer to the Blue Book, Pages 41-42 (covering ARSD 20:38:34) for specific information regarding comity licensure requirements.
Comity/Reciprocity Application (can be completed online in Adobe .pdf format*)
Note: Landscape architects seeking comity licensure in South Dakota must have and submit a CLARB-certified record.
Comity Reference Form (in Adobe .pdf format*) (Must be completed by your references, and then submitted to the Board, if such references showing experience gained under direct supervision of licensed landscape architects are not already contained in a CLARB record being submitted to the Board.)
Due Dates for Comity/Reciprocity Applications
The completed application form along with all of the required supporting documentation must be received by the Board office by the following deadline for consideration at the respective Board meeting.
January 1 for January Board meeting
March 1 for March Board meeting
May 1 for May Board meeting
July 1 for July Board meeting
September 1 for September Board meeting
November 1 for November Board meeting
Continuing Education Requirements
Individual licensees are expected to maintain their professional competency by participating in continuing education activities throughout their practicing career. Generally, licensees are expected to earn a minimum of 30 professional development hours (PDH) during each two years of licensure and demonstrate their compliance with this minimum requirement by submitting a "PDH log" showing their completed continuing education activities at the time of renewing their individual license. A maximum of 10 PDH can be earned in professional management subjects, with the balance being earned in technical subjects relating to their landscape architectural practice.
Individual licensees should refer to the Blue Book, Page 17 (covering SDCL 36-18A-39) as well as Pages 42-45 (covering ARSD 20:38:35:01-10) for specific information regarding continuing professional development requirements for maintaining licensure as a Landscape Architect.
Continuing Education Providers
Visit the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) website as well as the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) website for information on providers of continuing education for landscape architects. Please note these links are provided as a service to licensees. It is not an endorsement from the South Dakota Board of Technical Professions. The Board does NOT pre-approve courses for those organizations offering continuing education/Professional Development Hours (PDH). Licensees should take only those courses that meet Board requirements and are pertinent to the landscape architecture profession.
Professional Development Hours Log
Professional Development Hours (PDH) Log -
Choose [Adobe .pdf format*] or [Microsoft Excel format]
Contact Us
2040 W. Main Street, Suite 304
Rapid City, SD 57702-2447
Phone: 605.394.2510
Fax: 605.394.2509
email: sdbtp@state.sd.us
Mark Humphreys, Executive Director
email Mark
Kathryn Patterson, Senior Secretary
email Kathryn
Susan Neuf, Secretary
email Susan
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700 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501-2291
Tel. 605.773.3101
Fax. 605.773.6184
