Landscape architects usually earn a bachelor’s (BLA) or master’s (MLA) degree in landscape architecture from a program accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board, work under a licensed landscape architect for a period set by their state, and pass the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE). Every state licenses landscape architects, and the years of experience required vary from state to state.
What the job looks like on an ordinary week
Landscape architects design outdoor places: parks, plazas, streetscapes, school and hospital grounds, waterfronts, trails, housing developments and private gardens. The surprise for many students is how technical it is.
- Design: concept sketches, planting plans and renderings, often presented to clients or community groups.
- Technical drawings: grading, drainage and stormwater plans, materials, details and construction documents built in CAD and 3D software.
- Coordination: working with architects, civil engineers, planners and contractors so the site actually works.
- Site visits: checking construction, approving plant material and solving problems when the ground does not match the drawings.
Landscape architects are different from landscape designers, who usually focus on residential gardens and are not licensed, and from landscaping crews, who build and maintain sites. All three are real careers; only one requires the license.
School: the BLA or the MLA
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA): often four or five years, built around design studios, plant knowledge, grading, history and construction.
- Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA): about three years for people whose first degree is in another field, and shorter for those with a related bachelor’s. This is a common route for career changers.
- Studio culture: expect long project nights, critiques of your work in front of the class and a portfolio that grows every semester.
- Related degrees: horticulture, environmental design or art can be a strong lead-in to an MLA. See what you can do with an art degree.
How licensing works
The LARE is a multi-section national exam administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). It covers project management, site inventory and analysis, design, and grading, drainage and construction documentation. State boards decide when you can sit for it and how many years of supervised experience you need; some allow extra years of experience in place of an accredited degree, though that path is longer. Once licensed, you can legally use the title landscape architect and stamp drawings. Check your state licensing board for its current rules and continuing education requirements.
Steps from high school to a license
- Take art, drawing, biology, earth science and geometry. Learn to sketch quickly by hand.
- Spend a summer working at a plant nursery or on a landscaping crew to learn plants and how sites get built.
- Build a small portfolio of drawings, photos and design projects for college applications.
- Enroll in an accredited BLA program, or earn another degree and apply to an MLA.
- Complete at least one internship with a design firm or public parks department.
- Work under a licensed landscape architect, track your hours carefully and start the LARE sections when your state allows.
Testing the fit early
- Go to a public meeting about a new park or street redesign and look at the drawings on the wall.
- Volunteer with a community garden, tree planting group or trail crew.
- Take a summer design program or an intro CAD class to see whether you enjoy the screen time as much as the outdoor time.
- Ask for informational interviews with a landscape architect at a private firm and one at a city or county.
Who thrives and why people switch
The people who thrive love plants and places, can draw, and are comfortable with the engineering side of grading and drainage. They also like collaboration, because no site is designed alone. People switch out because studio and deadline hours run long, the work slows when construction slows, and the early years involve a lot of drafting other people’s ideas. Many move into urban design, planning, ecological restoration or construction management. If this mix of art and outdoors appeals to you, browse careers for creative people and careers for people who like working outdoors.
For career changers
The MLA was built for people coming from other fields, including art, architecture, biology, engineering and horticulture. Before applying, take a drawing or design class to build a portfolio, and talk with practicing landscape architects about the work. Our guides to changing careers and deciding on grad school help with the bigger decision. For current pay and job outlook, check the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor helps a student or career changer explore whether landscape architecture fits, plan the portfolio and applications, keep up through demanding studio semesters and stay organized through the experience years and exam prep. Mentors are not credentialed career counselors, admissions counselors or licensing experts; they help you do the research and the work yourself. See our career and education mentoring and mentoring for college students.
Related
- All career path guides
- How to become an architect
- How to become an urban planner
- How to become an interior designer
- How to become an environmental scientist
- How to become a wildlife biologist
Common questions
Do all states require a landscape architect license?
Yes. Every state licenses landscape architects, though the education and experience rules differ. Without a license you cannot call yourself a landscape architect in most states.
How long does it take to become a landscape architect?
Usually four or five years for a BLA or about three for an MLA, plus the supervised experience your state requires before or during the exam. Many people are licensed within a few years of graduating.
What is the difference between a landscape architect and a landscape designer?
Landscape architects are licensed and design public and complex sites, including grading and drainage. Landscape designers usually focus on residential gardens and do not need a license.
Do I need to be good at drawing?
You need to communicate ideas visually, and quick hand sketching helps a lot. Most technical drawing is done in software, which programs teach.
Get started
Thinking about a design career and want help building a plan? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.