Become a Landscape Architect

Prepare for LARE

Are you registered to take an L.A.R.E. exam, but don’t feel fully prepared? Or are you thinking about taking L.A.R.E. exams within the next 12 months? If you need some extra help, ASLA National has you covered!

Announcement: 

In 2022, CLARB announced changes to the L.A.R.E. blueprint, effective December 2023. Candidates for examination are highly advised to become familiar with these changes prior to registering for an exam in 2023.

1. Understand the LARE Prep

The Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.) is unlike any test you have ever taken. It is designed to test your competence to practice landscape architecture. It is not a design competition. As a professional licensing exam, it tests your knowledge, skills, and abilities that directly relate to protecting public health, safety, and welfare.

The LARE is divided into four sections. A candidate for licensure must pass all of them in order to qualify to become licensed. Research shows that candidates who take sections 1 and 2 closer to graduation are more successful than those who wait. For section 4, candidates with several years of experience are more successful. There was no clear determinant of success for Section 3. The bottom line: if you think you are ready and your state allows you to take the exam before meeting the experience requirements, don't hesitate to sign up to take the exam.

The Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (aka CLARB) writes, administers, and grades the LARE. If you have any questions regarding the LARE. process or procedures, contact CLARB at info@clarb.org.

ASLA wants to help guide you through the examination process and ultimately succeed in becoming a licensed landscape architect. Take the time to review the resources provided in this section. If you have any questions or suggestions on materials that could be helpful in support of LARE preparation, contact LAREprep@asla.org.

2. Find out If You are Eligible for Licensure 

Each state sets its own requirements for licensure and the eligibility requirements for taking the LARE. Many states now allow applicants to begin taking the exam after graduation - but not all. Additionally, many states have a rolling 5-year clock for taking the exam, meaning that you must pass all sections within 5 years of taking the first section. It is always advisable to check with the licensure board in the jurisdiction where you wish to become licensed to confirm requirements. 

CLARB has an excellent resource providing state board information and the latest information on state rules regarding when applicants can begin taking the exam. 

3. Create a Study Strategy

ASLA offers a wealth of resources at discounted rates for members. New materials are in development, so check back throughout your exam experience for more information. Select the links below to begin your study strategy.

LARE Prep webinars for sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the exam, as well as an overview presentation, Demystifying the LARE – What to Expect and How to Study  

• Section 1: Project and Construction Management: Resources include practice questions and webinar

• Section 2: Inventory and Analysis: resources include practice questions and webinar

• Section 3: Design: Resources include content-related materials, practice vignettes

• Section 4: Grading, Drainage, and Construction Documents: Resources include content-related materials, practice vignettes 

4. Find a LARE Review Session  

If you are a provider of LARE Prep classes and would like your dates included on our review session map, please submit your information to lareprep@asla.org. Please note, eligibility to be included requires the instructor to be an ASLA member. 

5. Take the Exam

The LARE is administered three times a year over a two-week period in April, August, and December. Please visit CLARB's Dates, Deadlines and Fees webpage for more information.

Exams are administered at Pearson VUE test centers (on behalf of CLARB) throughout the United States and Canada. Exam candidates register for the exams by visiting the CLARB website.

Effective October 2020, CLARB now offers remote proctoring as an additional testing option to all section 1 and section 2 L.A.R.E. candidates in all jurisdictions where the L.A.R.E. is administered.