How To Get a Landscape Architecture License in NJ
Learn all there is to know about obtaining a landscape architecture license in NJ. Find out how Harbor Compliance helps firms obtain and manage licenses.
A Complete Guide to Getting a Landscape Architecture License in NJ
A landscape architect is an individual who has learned and trained in the field. However, to legally practice their services and use that title, all landscape architects in New Jersey also need to have a license.
To get one, professionals must meet certain state requirements, ranging from their educational background to their work experience. The same goes for landscaping companies offering services in the field—they are required to have a certification to operate.
That said, you do not need a state license to work as a general landscaper in New Jersey. You may still need to register your business with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and obtain a license on a county or city level.
To save you the effort, we’ve put together an all-in-one guide that outlines the journey of getting a landscape architecture license in NJ. This article will also explain how Harbor Compliance can expedite the process of obtaining the license for your firm.
New Jersey Landscape Architecture License Requirements
The state of New Jersey has very straightforward requirements for individuals seeking a landscape architect license or organizations wishing to attain a certificate of authorization (COA) in the field.
Individual License Requirements
There are only three primary requirements that individuals must meet to be eligible for a New Jersey landscape license:
- Education—Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree in architecture and complete a curriculum approved by the state’s official licensing board, New Jersey State Board of Architects.
- Experience—Individuals need to have a minimum of four years of work experience record in the field.
- Exam—All applicants have to appear for an examination (Landscape Architect Registration Examination) set by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards. Architects who already possess a license from another state can be exempt from taking this test.
Firm Certification Requirements
New Jersey companies are not allowed to provide landscaping services without a Certificate of Authorization, or COA. In order to get certified, a corporation must meet two requirements:
- Having at least one licensed landscape architect officer or full-time employee.
- Entering into a written contract with a New Jersey-based licensed landscape architect if there are no full-time licensed employees.
Apart from these requirements, landscaping companies should also provide:
- A filled-in COA application
- Certified copy of the Certificate of Formation
- Latest annual report filed with New Jersey’s Division of Revenue
- Copy of the contact with a New Jersey-based licensed landscape architect (if available)
- Application and certificate fee
Once applied and approved, the state will appoint a licensed landscape architect(s) to finalize and seal/sign any drawings or documents provided by a company.
Note: Organizations formed outside of New Jersey must submit a certified copy of a COA issued by New Jersey’s Division of Revenue along with a certified copy of the Certificate of Formation from the state where it was founded.
Attaining a New Jersey Landscape Architecture License
There are four types of license applications that individuals and companies need to fill out to get a license or COA:
- Initial license application—All first-time architects who do not hold a license must submit their online application through this portal.
- License application without the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE) exam—Applicants who are already licensed in another state can skip the LARE and fill out this form.
- Application for Certificate of Authorization—Businesses need to submit an application for a Certificate of Authorization to legally practice their services.
- Reinstatement application—This form is used to reinstate a lapsed application for both individuals and corporations.
Past employers must also fill out the reference form to detail their work experience/conduct and increase credibility.
Steps To Apply for a Landscape Architect License
Here are the steps landscape professionals need to follow to apply for a license:
- Fill out and submit the initial/without LARE exam application, and pay a $125 application fee.
- Send official college transcripts, a minimum of five-year experience reference forms, and LARE exam grades.
- Get in touch with the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards to send your council record to the New Jersey State Board of Architects.
- Provide any further information requested by the board if necessary.
- Submit the name form to the board and pay an initial license fee of $80/$160 (odd-numbered years/even-numbered years).
Steps To Apply for a Certificate of Authorization
There are two basic steps businesses must follow to apply for a COA:
- Fill in the application and pay a $100 application fee (+ an additional $250 or $500 license fee, depending on whether you’re applying during the second or first year of the renewal period).
- Send all supporting documents mentioned above to the board.
Note: Application and license fees can only be paid via money order or checks.
Renewing a New Jersey Landscape Architecture License
The table below shows the dates and renewal fees for both individual licenses and COAs.
| License Type | Expiry Date | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Individual License | May 31 of the even-numbered years | Renewal fee of $160 |
| Certificate of Authorization | May 31 of the odd-numbered years | Renewal fee of $500 |
Every individual landscape license and COA expires on the above dates, regardless of the initial license dates.
Requirements for Renewing a Landscape Architecture License
New Jersey landscape architects are required to accumulate at least 24 continuing education (CE) credits before the license renewal. Each credit equals one hour, and a total of 24 hours must be collected between each license period.
Keep in mind that extra credits cannot be transferred to the next license period. This means that you’ll have to accumulate the required hours in every new cycle. The only exception to this is the first renewal period, during which the license is first obtained.
Here are a few ways to earn CE credits:
- Seminars
- Courses
- Programs
- Conferences
There are more details about the requirements and processes you should be familiar with. However, keeping up with all the information and changes can be time-consuming, especially when you factor in other obligations.
In such cases, you can rely on Harbor Compliance—our vast database provides you with all the licensure information you need at your fingertips. And if you’re running a landscaping business, we can handle the application process and manage your licenses with ease.
Make Landscape Licensure Easier Than Ever With Harbor Compliance
At Harbor Compliance, we leverage our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions to ease the licensure workload for all architectural firms. Using our fully managed, hybrid, or self-managed service options, you can easily tailor the level of assistance you want.
Apart from landscape architectural firms, we also help companies in:
Benefits of Using Harbor Compliance’s Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions
Harbor Compliance is a holistic solution to all your firm’s licensing needs. Once on board, you get access to a team of experts who know the intricate challenges and state requirements for architectural firms in particular.
Our team is also responsible for handling all licensure tasks, from filling out the initial form to reminding you about renewal dates. We’re available throughout the day to provide quick responses to any concerns you may have.
The Process of Ordering Harbor Compliance’s Service
Here are all the steps you need to follow to order our service:
- Go to the Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions service page.
- Open the Contact Us form.
- Enter the requested information.
- Hit the Let’s talk button.
Additional Services by Harbor Compliance
If you need help meeting other New Jersey’s regulatory requirements, you can leverage some of the other services we offer. Consult the table below for more details:
| Service Category | Services |
|---|---|
| Business licensing support | We can manage your general business licenses and other industry-specific ones (construction, engineering, and more). |
| Registered agent | You can appoint us as your registered agent to let us accept legal notices on your behalf, ensuring they don’t go unnoticed. If you already have an agent, our Change of Agent Service lets you partner with us to complete the change without any effort needed on your part. |
| Nonprofit formation | Start a nonprofit using our incorporation service and manage other aspects like 501(c) tax exemption and charity registration under one roof. |
| Beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting | Leverage our BOI reporting service and keep track of the company’s ownership and leadership information. Reserve all business information on our Records Manager. |
| Tax registration | Meet your state’s requirements using our tax-related services (obtaining an EIN, sales and use tax registration, payroll tax registration, etc.). |
| Entity lifecycle management | Rely on our support for various tasks throughout your company’s lifecycle, such as name reservation, DBA management, amendments, initial and annual reports filing, and withdrawal. |
| Document filing and retrieval | Deliver documents on time with our reliable Drop-off Filing service. Retrieve key documents, such as certified copies, articles of reinstatement, certificates of good standing, and certificates of authority. |
New Jersey Landscape Architecture License FAQs
Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about New Jersey landscape licensing. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, visit our information center to learn more.
No. New Jersey allows all individuals to apply and get a professional/occupational license, such as a landscape architecture license, regardless of their citizenship. People with no records of their citizenship status do not need to provide a Social Security number during the application process.
Individuals must complete a four-year program and get a degree in landscape architecture before applying. Your university’s curriculum should also be Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board-accredited or approved by the New Jersey State Board of Architects.
In order to change an address, licensed professionals must submit the new address in a written letter to the board. This must be completed within one month from the date of changing an address to avoid facing penalties.
Make Landscape Architecture Licensing Effortless With Harbor Compliance
The state of New Jersey doesn’t allow professionals to practice landscape architecture or landscaping firms to offer services in the field without a license or COA. Since architecture is a highly regulated industry, getting certified often includes extensive and time-consuming research. Relying on a trustworthy partner, such as Harbor Compliance, can help your firm avoid regulatory issues.
Partner with us to get access to our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions, or contact us to schedule a free demo before making any decisions.
Want to see your current state-level regulatory standing? Our platform allows you to obtain a free Harbor Compliance Score™ and help identify areas where you can make changes.
Explore the table below to understand different architecture licensing requirements throughout the U.S.:
ARE (Architect Registration Examination) - Assesses candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required to be a practicing architect.
AXP (Architectural Experience Program) - NCARB program for architectural internship, a requirement for licensure that occurs after filling the educational requirements.
BEFA (Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect) - An alternative NCARB certification that allows foreign architects to independently practice architecture.
COA (Certificate of Authorization) - The most common name of the registration required for firms to practice architecture in a given state.
Design Firm - Architectural firm registration is sometimes grouped with engineering and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.
NCARB Certification - Licensed architects have the option to become Certificate holders to signify that they have met national standards established by U.S. licensing boards for protecting public health, safety, and welfare. Certification also facilitates reciprocal registration in all 54 jurisdictions, 11 Canadian jurisdictions, and can be used to support an application for licensure in other countries.
Reciprocity - This is when a licensed architect in one state can provide documentation (often a NCARB certificate) to more easily apply for licensure in another jurisdiction.
State Board - Often referred to as the State Architects Licensure Board or Board of Architects, an individual state’s board serves as the regulatory authority for architects. The board qualifies and licenses individuals seeking architectural licensure. The board is responsible for preserving the public health, safety, and welfare of individuals who occupy built environments.
National Architecture Accrediting Board
NAAB establishes criteria for and accredits professional architecture degree programs in the United States.
The American Institute of
Architecture Students (AIAS)
AIAS is an independent, student-run group that promotes excellence in architecture education, training, and practice.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
AIA is a voluntary professional organization for architects providing advocacy, information, and community.
The Association of Collegiate
Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
ACSA represents architectural education programs across the globe.
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
NCARB is the national organization representing the state registration boards.
