ASLA & CLARB Share Hope For Licensure
First Licensure Summit of 2026
The first licensure of summit of 2026 jointly hosted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) shared a few threats to licensure alongside many legislative wins across the country. ASLA State Government Affairs Director Bradley Rawls and new Manager Cole Calloway shared that Montana Executive Order No. 1-2026 was the main cause for concern, as the order calls for the formation of a task force to assess all professional licenses with the goal of "identifying and removing burdens and barriers faced by licensees that are not necessary to protect the public." This order comes in a state where landscape architecture has historically and repeatedly been targeted for deregulation. There is hope in the fact that the order also calls for this task force to seek input from the community and licensed professionals in question, giving the Idaho/Montana ASLA Chapter the opportunity to engage with their policymakers and the general public.
Three states - Illinois (H.B.5428), Oklahoma (S.B.1455), and Alaska (H.B.314/S.B.246) - feature bills regarding sunset extension, practice act extension, and board reauthorization, respectively, but all are expected to pass. A few states recently defended licensure due to strong chapter involvement, namely deregulation bills in Florida (H.B.607) and Michigan (H.B.4879) as well as revised language limiting the scope of practice regarding contract supervision and administration in Virginia (H.B.1254). Two states have current bills featuring proactive legislation, the first featuring an update to state terminology to adopt the "Professional Landscape Architect" designation in Maryland (H.B.485/S.B.256) and the second in Rhode Island (H.B.77739), which would establish a Green Buildings Act Commission with a dedicated seat for a Landscape Architect. There is general optimism that both with pass.
CLARB Member Relations and Advocacy Manager Zach Druge shared an overview of the Uniform Standard components and an update that eight jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada have completed full alignment with the Uniform Standard: Alaska, Alberta, Illinois, Maine, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. This year, Hawaii (S.B.2607), Colorado, and Oklahoma have bills or regulation updates expected to approve the Uniform Standard for these jurisdictions. Alabama and New Mexico have reintroduced previously stalled Uniform Standard bills, North and South Carolina are preparing to introduce bills for the first time, and Uniform Standard has been included in the sunset review for Washington State. Decisions on these jurisdictions will be made and go into effect in 2027.
Two ASLA chapter board members then shared their state's experiences with recent and upcoming legislation days to encourage and inspire attendees. Representing a large chapter, Kevin White, PLA - ASLA Florida's Member-At-Large for Advocacy and Licensure and 2019 Past-President - shared how a group of ten chapter leaders and students split up to attend 11 legislative appointments, a luncheon, and an evening social with legislators to continue long-term relationships while introducing new initiatives. White shared that legislators respond positively to student presence and these conversations lay the groundwork for later proclamations, site tours, and showcases in legislators' districts throughout the year. The ASLA Florida chapter is using April as a month to build the foundation for year-round engagement. ASLA Louisiana President Nick Musso, PLA, shared how their smaller chapter relies greatly on connections within larger engineering firms and ASLA National leadership to stay on top of important legislation. Thanks to their recent efforts, a resolution will be read in April on both state House and Senate floors declaring landscape architecture a profession. The group will also have a table in the lobby of the Louisiana State Capitol to provide another opportunity to engage with legislators. Musso commented that Louisiana does not experience many threats to licensure, but their biggest challenge is getting the public to recognize what Landscape Architects do. One of their efforts this year will center on strong, consistent messaging among Landscape Architects, particularly surrounding coastal restoration, flood mitigation, and economic development.
The next ASLA and CLARB licensure summit will take place in the summer.
To watch the summit, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XR2QnuubwI
