Landscape Architect / North Carolina
2026 data North Carolina board official source

North Carolina Landscape Architect License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Plans and designs outdoor spaces including parks and gardens.

What the North Carolina data shows for Landscape Architects

To practice as a landscape architect in North Carolina, the state licensing board requires board-approved training, a passing score on LARE (Landscape Architect Registration Exam), and 2 years of supervised work experience. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under North Carolina's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors or Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture".

Upfront cost is $220, with renewal running $175 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
29/100
Landscape Architect · North Carolina

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
$220
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$88/yr
$175 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 North Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors or Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture
Not specified
Exam Requirement
LARE (Landscape Architect Registration Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$220
Renewal Fee
$175
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 North Carolina licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Landscape Architect in North Carolina? ▼
North Carolina requires, passing an exam (LARE (Landscape Architect Registration Exam)), and an initial fee of $220.
How do I get certified as a Landscape Architect in North Carolina? ▼
To become a licensed landscape architect in North Carolina, you must meet the state's requirements and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the North Carolina licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Landscape Architect license to North Carolina from another state? ▼
Landscape Architect licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards reciprocity. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The North Carolina licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does North Carolina require a background check for Landscape Architect licensing? ▼
North Carolina does not currently require a criminal background check for landscape architect licensing, though this may vary by employer or specific role.
What are the continuing education requirements for Landscape Architect in North Carolina? ▼
North Carolina ties continued landscape architect licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $175 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this landscape architect license

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

  • See how North Carolina'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 North Carolina's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. North Carolina overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the North Carolina 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.