Landscape Architects Technical Committee

Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 607 on September 28, 2021. SB 607 requires that all candidates for initial licensure submit fingerprints prior to the issuance of a landscape architect license. Therefore, pursuant to California law (Bus. & Prof. Code § 5650.5), starting on January 1, 2022 all new applicants for licensure by the Landscape Architects Technical Committee (LATC) are required to submit a full set of fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a federal and state criminal history record check. Fingerprints are compared to the records of the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to determine if the applicant has a criminal history.

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has learned of an attempted scam aimed at licensees of DCA’s boards and bureaus. In the scheme, an individual falsely identifying themselves as an employee of the Acupuncture Board has contacted licensees and attempted to gather personal information.

If you receive a call from an individual claiming to be an employee of the Acupuncture Board (or any other DCA board or bureau) and they attempt to gather personal information, please consider the following:

• If you receive a call, simply take down the caller’s information (including name, title, phone number and email address), let them know you will follow-up directly with the department/board/bureau, and end the call.
• You may also consider ending the call without explanation if it appears suspicious or to be a scam.
• Contact the board or bureau responsible for issuing your license. Contact information for all DCA boards and bureaus can be found via this webpage: https://www.dca.ca.gov/about_us/entities.shtml
• If you don’t know who to contact at DCA, call the Consumer Information Center at (800) 952-5210 for assistance and to get directed to the appropriate entity.
• NEVER disclose any personal information, i.e. social security numbers, date of births, or credit/debit card numbers, without first taking steps to verify that the person requesting the information has a legitimate need for it.
• Be aware that DCA staff will never ask for credit/debit card numbers or information over the phone.

LATC license processing data, including average timeframes for processing initial applications and license renewals, is made available in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 139.5 (SB 878, Jones, Chapter 131, Statutes of 2020).
(April—June 2022)

Learn more about how to get vaccinated by visiting the state’s COVID-19 website. The state’s website has information on vaccination eligibility, how to sign up for an appointment via MyTurn.ca.gov, local health jurisdiction resources, and more. Additionally, CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreen pharmacies now offer limited appointments for free COVID-19 vaccinations in select areas. Visit https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/#How-to-get-vaccinated for more information.

Federal Retail Pharmacy Program & Vaccine Appointments: The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program has been activated with select pharmacy partners. California’s current pharmacy partners are CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Albertsons. Pharmacy partners are now offering COVID-19 vaccines in their select store locations. For eligibility and scheduling, visit the California Department of Public Health’s Federal Retail Pharmacy Program page.

Starting January 1, 2021, individuals in the following categories who apply for licensure by the Landscape Architects Technical Committee may seek an expedited licensure process.

1. Refugees pursuant to section 1157 of title 8 of the United States Code;
2. Those granted asylum by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General of the United States pursuant to section 1158 of title 8 of the United States Code; or,
3. Individuals with a special immigrant visa that have been granted a status pursuant to section 1244 of Public Law 110-181, Public Law 109-163, or section 602(b) of title VI of division F of Public Law 111-8.

In order to receive the expedited licensure process, individuals must provide documentation of their refugee, asylee, or special immigrant visa status when submitting their application package. Please note that this does not mean a license must be issued, but simply that the process will be expedited.

Click here for information and documentation examples.

Individuals interested in obtaining a license to practice landscape architecture must submit a completed Eligibility Application (PDF, 215K) to the LATC. Eligibility applications and all required documents must be postmarked no later than 45 days before the date of any Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE) section they wish to take.

See the chart below for upcoming eligibility deadlines and LARE administration dates:

In addition to passing the LARE, California candidates are required to pass the California Supplemental Examination (CSE) before obtaining licensure. The CSE is a multiple-choice examination of subject areas that are unique to the practice of landscape architecture in California. Once candidates have passed all sections of the LARE they may apply for and take the CSE.