Business - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can a landscape architect start a Limited Liability Company (LLC)?

  No. The Landscape Architects Practice Act (Act) does not provide guidance regarding the establishment of LLCs. The regulation of business entities falls outside of the jurisdiction of the LATC. More information regarding LLCs may be found in the California Corporations Code. According to section 17375 of the California Corporations Code, a domestic or foreign LLC may NOT render professional services. "Professional Services" are defined in California Corporations Code sections 13401(a) and 13401.3 as:

  “Any type of professional services that may be lawfully rendered only pursuant to a license, certification, or registration authorized by the Business and Professions Code, the Chiropractic Act, the Osteopathic Act or the Yacht and Ship Brokers Act.”

  Landscape architects render professional services according to Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 5615 and therefore may not form a business as an LLC. More information regarding business entities in California may be found with the Office of Secretary of State.

• Is a landscape architect required to notify the LATC when establishing a corporation?

  No. The LATC issues licenses to individuals not to businesses or corporations. For more information on how to establish a corporation, please contact the California Secretary of State’s Office at (916) 653-6814.

• Can an unlicensed person own a landscape architecture firm/business?

  If the name of a licensed landscape architect employed by the firm appears in all advertisements and presentments to the public in connection with landscape architectural services, and that licensed landscape architect oversees the preparation of all construction documents and site alteration plans in accordance with BPC section 5615, an unlicensed individual may own a landscape architecture firm or business (California Code of Regulations [CCR] section 2671).