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01-30-26 | News
Under HB 607, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will provide licensing authority to landscape architects, rather than the Board of Landscape Architecture. The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the professional boards will be transferred to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation as well.
By transferring licensure power from professional boards to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the bill removes continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. It introduces new provisions for issuing provisional licenses to professionals from other states or territories. Updates to disciplinary procedures include penalties for violations, appraisal standards, background checks, and compliance requirements were added to the licensure requirements too. The lawmakers' goal for the proposed bill is to simplify the licensure renewal pathway by law, removing the post-licensure education requirements. However, according to CLARB, the bill does the opposite in practice.
HB 607 is a direct threat to Floridian landscape architecture firms. By removing and revising the licensure requirements, the bill weakens the landscape architect profession. Strong licensure and continuing education standards create a skilled talent pipeline, and a stable market for complex design work. Risk mitigation and compliance standards reduce the risks of certain projects, keeping the projects on schedule and within budget. Without these standards, public trust in the built environment is lost, stunting economic growth and community development.
The bill is expected to take effect on July 1st, 2026. As of January 14th, 2026, the bill is in the Commerce Committee of the Florida House of Representatives. CLARB urges Florida firm owners to write a short 2-3 paragraph letter to Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez and Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, as it may firmly influence the outcome.
CLARB Urges Florida Firm Owners to Fight Deregulation Bill
Bill HB 607
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The Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) is asking Florida firm owners to write letters of opposition to the state capitol in response to Bill HB 607. According to CLARB, the bill is a direct threat to landscape architect licensure; it proposes the elimination of the professional board and continuing education for landscape architects. It renames and restructures boards within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, revising the licensure renewal periods and removing continuing education requirements from certain professions, including landscape architecture.
Under HB 607, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will provide licensing authority to landscape architects, rather than the Board of Landscape Architecture. The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the professional boards will be transferred to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation as well.
By transferring licensure power from professional boards to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the bill removes continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. It introduces new provisions for issuing provisional licenses to professionals from other states or territories. Updates to disciplinary procedures include penalties for violations, appraisal standards, background checks, and compliance requirements were added to the licensure requirements too. The lawmakers' goal for the proposed bill is to simplify the licensure renewal pathway by law, removing the post-licensure education requirements. However, according to CLARB, the bill does the opposite in practice.
HB 607 is a direct threat to Floridian landscape architecture firms. By removing and revising the licensure requirements, the bill weakens the landscape architect profession. Strong licensure and continuing education standards create a skilled talent pipeline, and a stable market for complex design work. Risk mitigation and compliance standards reduce the risks of certain projects, keeping the projects on schedule and within budget. Without these standards, public trust in the built environment is lost, stunting economic growth and community development.
The bill is expected to take effect on July 1st, 2026. As of January 14th, 2026, the bill is in the Commerce Committee of the Florida House of Representatives. CLARB urges Florida firm owners to write a short 2-3 paragraph letter to Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez and Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, as it may firmly influence the outcome.
Filed Under:JANUARY 2026,LIGHTING,CLARB,BILL HB 607,FLORIDA, LASN
