Computer Testing SNAFU Addressed

The Partnership for the Advancement of Licensure (PAL) met Dec. 5, 2004. PAL, initiated in 2001, coordinates licensure activities between the ASLA, the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA, www.ssc.msu.edu/~la/cela), and the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB, www.clarb.org). CLARB reported on the problems encountered during the first computer-administered test in August 2004, which were serious enough to offer those testees the opportunity to cancel their scores and retake the exam in November 2004. One-hundred and seventeen people chose to retake the test, spread over 75 locations. This time around, CLARB reported only one problem at one center. CLARB has decided to switch testing vendors because of the problems experienced in 2004. Other topics included the need for greater standardization of continuing ed requirements. The consensus is that each state board needs to clearly specify what activities and subjects qualify for CE credits. The attendees also agreed it was important for PAL to be involved with legislative issues affecting the profession, not just licensing concerns.