Wisconsin Considers Landscape Architecture Practice Act

The Wisconsin legislature is considering passage of a Landscape Architecture Practice Act. Licensure of landscape architects provides parity with the other design professions. Gov. James Doyle Jr., a two-term Democrat, would then only have to sign it. The governor will not seek a third term in Nov. 2010.

Wisconsin, Illinois, Maine and Massachusetts are the only four states left with only a landscape architecture Title Act, i.e., they have not legislated and passed a landscape architecture Practice Act regulated by a board of landscape architecture.

Vermont is the lone wolf, no Title Act, no Practice Act.

The Wisconsin Senate Committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs will hold an executive session in late Dec. on Assembly Bill 142 to amend the current landscape architecture Title Act.

Under the current Title Act a person may use the title “landscape architect” if he or she holds a certificate of registration as a landscape architect issued by the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers, and Land Surveyors.

To be granted a certificate requires a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in landscape architecture from school approved by the board and have at least two years of practical experience in landscape architecture, or have at least seven years of training and experience in the practice of landscape architecture including at least two years of courses in landscape architecture approved by the board, and four years of practical experience in landscape architecture.  Further, the person must successfully complete an examination by the board.