Landscape Architect / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Landscape Architect License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Plans and designs outdoor spaces including parks and gardens.

What the Illinois data shows for Landscape Architects

Becoming a licensed landscape architect in Illinois means clearing a defined set of hurdles: board-approved training, a passing score on LARE (Landscape Architect Registration Exam), and 2 years of supervised work experience once the applicant turns 18. Illinois regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors or Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture".

Budget $374 to get started, plus $282 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For landscape architects, the reciprocity picture is: Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards reciprocity.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
21/100
Landscape Architect · Illinois

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$374
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$141/yr
$282 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors or Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture
Not specified
Exam Requirement
LARE (Landscape Architect Registration Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$374
Renewal Fee
$282
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Not Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Landscape Architect All Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Landscape Architect in Illinois? ▼
Illinois requires, passing an exam (LARE (Landscape Architect Registration Exam)), and an initial fee of $374.
How do I get certified as a Landscape Architect in Illinois? ▼
To become a licensed landscape architect in Illinois, you must meet the state's requirements and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Illinois licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Landscape Architect license to Illinois from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for landscape architects: Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards reciprocity. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Illinois licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Illinois require a background check for Landscape Architect licensing? ▼
Illinois doesn't condition landscape architect licensure on a criminal background check, though employers in the field may impose their own screening requirements.
What are the continuing education requirements for Landscape Architect in Illinois? ▼
Licensed landscape architects in Illinois must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $282.

Related Guides

What to do with this landscape architect license

Landscape Architect in Illinois, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a landscape architect-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Illinois's landscape architect requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Landscape Architect in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state landscape architect license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Illinois's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Illinois overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Illinois licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.