ASLA Holds First Licensure Summit

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Acknowledging the public's growing interest in the profession of landscape architects, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) hosted its inaugural Licensure Summit, Nov. 2-4, 2001, to kick off its professional licensure campaign, "50 by 2010," for ASLA chapters nationwide.

"The general rule for regulating a profession is this: if an occupation directly affects the public health, safety, or welfare, it should be licensed," explained Nancy Somerville, ASLA executive vice president. "Landscape architecture certainly falls under this rule."

Over the past 10 years, nearly 20 states have adopted or upgraded to practice laws. No laws have been repealed or downgraded during that time. Currently, 46 states regulate the landscape architecture profession. Of these, 32 are practice acts, which restrict the practice of landscape architecture to qualified individuals. No unqualified or untrained person may perform the work of a landscape architect, as defined by state law. Fourteen states have title acts, a type of regulation whereby only qualifying individuals can use the title of landscape architect, but which does not restrict landscape architectural practice to landscape architects.

"The ASLA '50 by 2010' campaign is a comprehensive program to bring universal practice acts to each and every state," Somerville explained. "It is designed to acknowledge the needs of every state, including upgrading to a practice act, preparing a sunset defense, or creating a new law.

The summit, which was sponsored by Design Professionals Insurance Companies and McGraw-Hill Construction Information Group, brought together landscape architects from 45 states representing the ASLA, the Council of Landscape Architecture Registration Boards (CLARB) and the Council of Educators of Landscape Architecture (CELA). It was coordinated under the auspices of the Partnership for the Advancement of Licensure (PAL), a new collaborative effort by the three organizations to coordinate licensure efforts. Of the 60 participants, more than 25 percent also work with CELA or CLARB.

"Every participant brings a different experience to the group and by coming together we coordinate efforts so no one has to reinvent the wheel," related Amy Schneckenberger, ASLA, Vice President of Public Affairs.

During the two-day event, summit attendees shared their experiences in licensure efforts, discussed strategies and reviewed a number of licensure support resources compiled by PAL members. The first day of the summit focused on the numerous issues that ASLA chapters may confront as they advocate for landscape architecture licensure in their state. Of particular importance were relationships with other design professions, fund raising, gathering factual information and organizing members to action. The second day of the summit featured a
discussion of "ASLA's 50 by 2010" campaign and a review of the Licensure Support Resource Guide, a compendium of resources available to support the state licensure efforts.

Participants indicated a strong desire to make the summit an annual event.

"It was very helpful to get several different perspectives on this important issue," advised John Carman, CLARB President. "Licensure requires a long-term commitment and it is important that we share and learn from the experiences of landscape architects who have been in the trenches on this issue."

More information about the ASLA "50 by 2010" campaign, as well as other information about professional licensure of landscape architects can be found online at http://www.asla.org/nonmembers/public_affairs.cfm and http://www.clarb.org/.