Securing a Landscape License in Florida—A Detailed Guide
Like many other states, Florida requires companies and individuals to have a legal permit before undertaking landscape projects. This legal permit is referred to as the landscape architecture license.
This credential is issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR), or more specifically, its Board of Landscape Architecture, to individuals with the skills and experience necessary to perform architectural landscaping services in the state. Once licensed, these individuals can qualify the landscaping architecture business they're affiliated with, enabling them to operate legally in Florida.
Contractors are expected to meet specific requirements to obtain this license. They must also keep track of the state's changing regulations and license renewal dates to maintain their right to practice. Navigating this licensing process independently can be demanding, so it's wise to partner with a professional service provider like Harbor Compliance to ensure uninterrupted operations and peace of mind.
In this article, we'll shed light on the requirements and the procedure for obtaining a landscape license in Florida. Additionally, we'll explain how our Architecture & Engineering Solutions can help you navigate the licensure process.
Florida Landscape License Requirements
In Florida, the landscape architect license grants individuals the legal authority to design, plan, and manage outdoor spaces in a functional and aesthetically pleasing manner. The Florida Board of Landscape Architecture, under the DBPR, oversees the issuance and renewal of this license in the state.
All firms in Florida that intend to work on landscaping projects are expected to have a qualifier before they can apply for a company license. A qualifier is a Florida-licensed landscape architect who serves as an officer, partner, or director in the firm applying for the license. In addition, every individual in the firm who operates as a landscape architect must be properly licensed.
To become licensed and serve as qualifiers for their respective businesses, individuals must meet specific requirements related to education, experience, and certain professional exams.
1. Education
To meet the educational requirement for this license, Florida mandates that qualifiers have a degree accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB).
Alternatively, if a qualifier does not have this degree, they must have at least six years of practical experience working on landscaping projects under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect. Additionally, they are expected to submit samples of their previous work for the board to review.
2. Experience
Contractors who either hold a formal degree or fulfill the six-year experience requirement are expected to have at least one year of additional practical work experience in the field of landscape architecture and the documents to prove it.
3. Examination
To meet the examination requirement, contractors are expected to pass the following two exams:
- The Landscape Architecture Registration Examination (LARE)
- The Florida Plants & Materials examination
The LARE, administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB), evaluates a contractor's skills and knowledge required for practicing landscape architecture. The examination consists of the following sections:
- Inventory, analysis, and project management
- Planning and design
- Construction, documentation, and administration
- Grading, drainage, and stormwater management
On the other hand, the Florida Plants & Materials examination, administered by the DBPR, aims to assess the licensee's knowledge of the state's flora, environmental characteristics, and the relevant regulatory framework.
Applying for a Landscape License in Florida
Before any domestic or foreign firm can undertake landscape projects in Florida, they must first register or foreign qualify a company. This involves filing an appropriate application with Florida's Department of State and paying the required processing fees.
Once the business is registered, the firm's qualifier, who must be a Florida-licensed landscape architect, will file an application to qualify the organization. This application requires the qualifier to provide relevant background information about the entity, such as:
- The organization's name
- The mailing address
- The location address
- Names of officers and partners who are registered landscape architects in Florida
After the application is processed, the qualifier can print their registered landscape architect license, which will display the firm's name below the licensee's.
Renewing a Landscape License in Florida
In Florida, landscape architects are expected to renew their license by November 30 of odd-numbered years. Failure to renew within this timeframe incurs a delinquent fee in addition to the renewal fee.
Eligibility for renewal depends on meeting Florida's continuing education requirement, which mandates obtaining at least 16 hours of continuing education credits biennially. These hours must include:
- One hour spent attending a course on Florida's Uniform Building Code
- One hour focusing on Florida's laws and rules for landscape architecture
- The remainder should be invested in attending courses approved by Florida's Board of Landscape Architecture
Once contractors have fulfilled the continuing education requirement, they can submit a renewal request online, pay the necessary fees to maintain an active license status, and continue serving as qualifiers for their organizations.
Navigate the Florida Landscape Licensure Process With Harbor Compliance
Managing the licensing process and staying on top of various requirements independently can be a hassle, especially when trying to grow your landscaping business. To reduce your licensure workload and leave more time to focus on core responsibilities, consider partnering with Harbor Compliance.
With Harbor Compliance's Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions, you get access to the most advanced software for managing individual and company licenses regardless of the number of jurisdictions you operate in. You'll also receive support and guidance from a team of experts with years of experience navigating the complexities of licensure.
Benefits of Partnering With Harbor Compliance
If you decide to expedite your licensure journey by partnering with Harbor Compliance, you can expect the following benefits:
- Streamlined operations—Securing landscaping licenses requires you to identify the regulatory authority in charge, get familiar with and meet state requirements, and keep track of renewals and changing regulations. Our service makes this entire process faster, more efficient, and error-free, allowing you to focus on running your business and securing more contracts.
- Access to Compliance Core™—Our proprietary database contains accurate and up-to-date information on the regulatory requirements for architecture, engineering, and construction-specific licenses in all U.S. states.
- Expert support—You'll receive proactive and personalized support in navigating the licensing landscape, from preparing and filing applications to staying on top of renewal deadlines.
We also offer a separate Software Suite, which includes several modules designed to help you oversee and manage different aspects of compliance, including licensing. Refer to the table below to learn about their capabilities:
| Module | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| License Manager | Offers a centralized platform to help you manage and track your individual and company licenses and renewal dates. |
| Entity Manager | Provides full visibility of all your entities and their compliance statuses, including pending license renewal dates. |
| Tax Manager | It assists firms in tracking their tax information and monitoring local, state, and federal tax registration. |
The Process of Ordering Harbor Compliance's Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions
At Harbor Compliance, we recognize that every client has unique licensing requirements, so we've developed three service options depending on the level of support you need:
- Fully managed—With this option, you can delegate the bulk of your licensing tasks to our expert team, letting us handle the entire process, from filing applications to tracking renewals.
- Self-managed—Here, we provide access to our proprietary software suite, allowing you to oversee the licensure process independently.
- Hybrid—This option allows you to handle some of the licensing process internally while outsourcing the rest to our team of experts.
Having decided on the service option that best suits your entity's needs, you can reach out to us to schedule a consultation using the steps below:
- Visit our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions page.
- Fill out the Contact Us form with details such as your name, email address, and phone number. You can also add your company name and website.
- Let us know when you'd like to meet, and feel free to leave any specific questions for our team.
Additional Harbor Compliance Services
Besides simplifying licensure processes for architecture, construction, and engineering firms, Harbor Compliance offers a range of services to help you meet various regulatory requirements and maintain good standing. The most popular services from our comprehensive portfolio are outlined in the table below:
| Category | Services |
|---|---|
| Entity lifecycle management | We assist firms throughout their entire lifecycle with services like filing for incorporation, reinstatement, dissolution and withdrawal, name reservation, and amendment. |
| Document filing and retrieval | With our services, firms can file their initial and annual reports in accordance with state requirements. We also help entities retrieve their certified copies from regulatory bodies. |
| Registered agent services | Our Registered Agent Service includes receiving legal notices on your behalf and forwarding them to you timely. |
| Business licensing support | We help organizations obtain their business licenses and file for license renewals. |
| BOI reporting | We help firms prepare and submit initial, updated, and corrected beneficial ownership information under the Corporate Transparency Act. |
| Nonprofit formation | We assist nonprofit organizations in filing for incorporation and tax exemptions. |
| Tax registration | We help organizations keep track of their payroll and sales and use tax registrations. |
Landscape License Florida FAQs
In this section, we'll answer some frequently asked questions about the Florida landscape license. For more information, visit our Information Center.
Florida doesn't require a qualifier to own a specific amount of shares. However, the qualifier must be an officer, director, or partner in the firm.
Yes. As long as the licensed individual is an officer, director, or partner within a business, they can act as the firm's qualifier.
Licensees can qualify their firms by filing an application with the DBPR and detailing the firm's relevant background information.
Partnering With Harbor Compliance To Manage Your Florida Landscape Licensure Journey
Firms and individuals who intend to work on landscape projects in Florida must have the legal authority to do so. Additionally, individuals must periodically renew their licenses and monitor changing state regulations to keep their firms in good standing.
At Harbor Compliance, we understand the complexities of licensure and have the tools, resources, and expertise to help you navigate this process with ease. If you'd like to get started with our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions, you can request a demo session of our cutting-edge software. Afterward, you can select and order the service option that meets your business's needs.
To get started with our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions, you can request a demo session of our software to see how it can streamline your licensing processes. Afterward, you can order the service option that best suits your licensing needs.
To check whether you meet other state requirements, get your free Harbor Compliance Score™ and proactively identify any red flags.
To learn more about architecture licenses in different states, check out the articles below:
