Without licensure, landscape architects will be unfairly disadvantaged in the marketplace. Oftentimes, federal, state, and local contracts require the work to be completed by licensed individuals. The scope of landscape architectural practice includes site plans, plans of development, grading plans, vehicular roadways and pedestrian systems design, stormwater and erosion control plans, and the siting of buildings and structures, all work that localities and federal agencies require to be sealed by licensed professionals. Consequently, the scope of landscape architecture overlaps with other licensed design professionals including architects, engineers, and Class B land surveyors. As an employee of local government, I have used my education in Landscape Architecture to help evaluate development proposals from a big picture level down to the details. This experience allows me to focus on the context and relationships between uses, ensuring the design is creating functional and accessible spaces for people, and how the details all come together. 

Licensure of landscape architects ensures that professionals are qualified by virtue of their education, experience, and examination. Another benefit of requiring licensure is the continuing education expectations.  Numerous classes are offered locally, virtually and nationally which help licensed practitioners to stay up to date and share lessons learned with colleagues. While I am not yet a registered LA, I have actively pursued my licensure by completing the required years of experience under a licensed LA and taken the licensure exams over the last four years. I am looking forward to completing the process and being a licensed landscape architect.