CHAPTER 2. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS CERTIFICATION - Indiana Statutes

IC 25-4-2
     Chapter 2. Landscape Architects Certification

IC 25-4-2-1
Definitions; construction of chapter
     Sec. 1. (a) As used in this chapter, "board" means the board of registration for architects and landscape architects as established under IC 25-4-1-2.
    (b) As used in this chapter, "landscape architecture" means the practice of professional services such as consultation, investigation, reconnaissance, research, planning, design, or responsible supervision to develop land areas for the dominant purpose of preserving, enhancing, or determining:
        (1) proper land uses;
        (2) natural land features;
        (3) ground cover and planting;
        (4) naturalistic and aesthetic values;
        (5) the settings and approaches to structures or other improvements;
        (6) the natural environment of a facility, an individual building, or other structure;
        (7) site specific natural surface and subsoil drainage systems;
        (8) landscape grading, swales, curbs, and walkways; and
        (9) any inherent problems of the land relating to erosion, overuse, blight, or other hazards.
The term includes the location and arrangement of the proposed tangible objects and features that are incidental and necessary to accomplish the purposes of landscape architecture.
    (c) As used in this chapter, "practitioner" means an individual registered as a landscape architect under this chapter.
    (d) Except as provided in subsection (b), this chapter does not authorize a practitioner to:
        (1) engage in the design of mechanical lift stations, sewage treatment facilities, sanitary and combined sewers, storm water management projects, public, semi-public, and private utilities, or other structures or facilities with separate and self-contained purposes, if the design work is ordinarily included in the practice of architecture or engineering;
        (2) engage in the design of highways or traffic control devices;
        (3) engage in the scientific analysis of hazardous material contamination;
        (4) engage in topographic mapping or the certification of land surveys or final land plats for official approval or recording;
        (5) otherwise engage in the practice of architecture (as defined in IC 25-4-1);
        (6) otherwise engage in the practice of professional engineering (as defined in IC 25-31);
        (7) engage in the practice of land surveying (as defined in IC 25-21.5); or
        (8) engage in the practice of professional geology (as defined in

IC 25-17.6).
    (e) This chapter, except section 10(a)(1) and 10(a)(2) of this chapter, does not apply to:
        (1) the practice of landscape architecture by any person who acts under the supervision of a practitioner or by an employee of a person lawfully engaged in the practice of landscape architecture and who, in either event, does not assume responsible charge of design or supervision;
        (2) the practice of architecture or land planning and proper land usage by a duly registered professional architect or the doing of landscape architectural work by a registered architect or by an employee under the supervision of a registered architect;
        (3) the practice of engineering or land planning and proper land usage by a duly registered professional engineer and the doing of landscape architectural work by a registered professional engineer or by an employee under supervision of a registered professional engineer;
        (4) the practice of surveying or land planning and proper land usage by a registered land surveyor and the doing of landscape architectural work by a registered land surveyor or by an employee under supervision of a registered land surveyor;
        (5) the practice of landscape architecture by employees of the United States government while engaged within this state in the practice of landscape architecture for the United States government;
        (6) the practice of planning as is customarily done by regional, park, or urban planners;
        (7) the practice of arborists, foresters, gardeners, turf managers, home builders, horticulturists, farmers, and other similar persons;
        (8) the practice of any nurseryman or general or landscape contractor, including design, planning, location, planting and arrangements of plantings or other ornamental features; or
        (9) the practice of natural resource professionals, including biologists, geologists, or soil scientists.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.225, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.242-1985, SEC.3; P.L.23-1991, SEC.11; P.L.82-2000, SEC.13.

IC 25-4-2-1.5
Acceptance of landscape architect by state and political subdivisions
     Sec. 1.5. (a) The state and all of the state's political subdivisions shall:
        (1) accept the stamp of a landscape architect when the landscape architect is submitting plans for approval within the scope of practice of landscape architecture; and
        (2) allow the engagement of a landscape architect for work within the scope of practice of landscape architecture.
    (b) This section shall not be construed to restrict the practice of architects, professional engineers, or land surveyors in any way. As added by P.L.82-2000, SEC.14.

IC 25-4-2-2
Display of certificate; seal
     Sec. 2. (a) A practitioner shall display the practitioner's certificate of registration in a conspicuous place in the practitioner's principal office, place of business, or employment.
    (b) Each practitioner may, upon registration under this chapter, obtain a seal of the design authorized by the board, bearing the name of the practitioner, number of certificate of registration, and the legend "Registered Landscape Architect State of Indiana". The seal may be used only while the practitioner's registration is in effect.
    (c) Nothing in this chapter may be construed as authorizing the use or acceptance of the seal of a landscape architect as a substitute for the seal of an architect, engineer, or land surveyor.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.225, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.242-1985, SEC.4.

IC 25-4-2-3
Qualifications; evidence; examination; issuance of certificate
     Sec. 3. (a) To qualify for registration as a landscape architect, an applicant must:
        (1) submit evidence that the applicant is an individual who is at least eighteen (18) years of age;
        (2) submit evidence that the applicant has:
            (A) graduated from an accredited curriculum of landscape architecture presented by a college or school approved by the board; or
            (B) attained before January 1, 2003, at least eight (8) years of actual practical experience in landscape architectural work of a grade and character satisfactory to the board;
        (3) submit evidence that the applicant has paid the examination fee and the application fee set by the board;
        (4) provide an affidavit that indicates that the applicant does not have a conviction for:
            (A) an act that would constitute a ground for disciplinary action under IC 25-1-11; or
            (B) a felony that has a direct bearing on the applicant's ability to practice competently;
        (5) pass the examination required by the board under section 4 of this chapter after meeting the requirements in subdivisions (1) through (4); and
        (6) submit evidence that the applicant has at least three (3) years of diversified, actual, and practical experience in landscape architectural work of a grade and character satisfactory to the board.
    (b) The board shall issue a certificate of registration under this chapter to an applicant who meets the requirements in this section.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.225, SEC.2. Amended by Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.29; P.L.242-1985, SEC.5; P.L.214-1993, SEC.9;

P.L.82-2000, SEC.15; P.L.194-2005, SEC.17.

IC 25-4-2-4
Examinations
     Sec. 4. (a) The board shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 covering the subjects and scope of the examinations and covering other functions necessary to comply with this chapter. An applicant for registration as a landscape architect shall establish by written examination the applicant's competency to plan, design, specify, and supervise the installation of landscape architectural projects. The board may require that the written examination be supplemented by oral examinations.
    (b) Examinations shall be held at least once a year at a time and place fixed by the board.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.225, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.132-1984, SEC.12; P.L.242-1985, SEC.6; P.L.214-1993, SEC.10.

IC 25-4-2-5
Repealed
    (Repealed by P.L.234-1983, SEC.10.)

IC 25-4-2-6
Certification of persons licensed, certified, or registered in another state
     Sec. 6. The board may issue a certificate of registration to a landscape architect licensed, certified, or registered in another state if the applicant:
        (1) is an individual who is at least eighteen (18) years of age;
        (2) pays the fee established by the board; and
        (3) submits evidence satisfactory to the board that:
            (A) the out-of-state applicant meets the requirements in section 3 of this chapter or its equivalent, as determined by the board;
            (B) the applicant does not have a conviction for:
                (i) an act that would constitute a ground for disciplinary action under IC 25-1-11; or
                (ii) a felony that has a direct bearing on the applicant's ability to practice competently; and
            (C) the applicant has met the same or equivalent examination requirements in effect in Indiana at the time the applicant was registered in the other jurisdiction.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.225, SEC.2. Amended by Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.30; P.L.242-1985, SEC.7; P.L.214-1993, SEC.11; P.L.82-2000, SEC.16.

IC 25-4-2-7
Repealed
     (Repealed by P.L.82-2000, SEC.19.)

IC 25-4-2-8 Fees
     Sec. 8. (a) The board shall set the fees for issuance of a certificate of registration to a landscape architect and for the biennial renewal of registration. The fee for registration and for renewal of registration must be based upon the administrative costs of registering and regulating landscape architects. This fee must include the costs for:
        (1) office facilities, supplies, and equipment;
        (2) clerical assistance; and
        (3) administering and enforcing this article as set forth in IC 25-4-1-16(f).
    (b) Except as provided in IC 25-4-1-32, all fees collected under this chapter shall be paid by the Indiana professional licensing agency to the treasurer of state who shall deposit them in the general fund of the state.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.225, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.132-1984, SEC.13; P.L.242-1985, SEC.9; P.L.194-2005, SEC.18; P.L.177-2006, SEC.3.

IC 25-4-2-8.5
Landscape architect renewal of certificate of registration
     Sec. 8.5. (a) Every registered landscape architect who continues in active practice shall biennially, on or before the date established by the licensing agency under IC 25-1-6-4, renew the registered landscape architect's certificate of registration and pay the required renewal fee.
    (b) A landscape architect registered in Indiana who has failed to renew the landscape architect's certificate of registration for a period of not more than five (5) years may have the certificate of registration reinstated by meeting the requirements of IC 25-1-8-6(c).
    (c) A landscape architect registered in Indiana who has failed to renew the landscape architect's certificate of registration for a period of more than five (5) years may have the certificate of registration reinstated by satisfying the requirements for reinstatement under IC 25-1-8-6(d).
As added by P.L.105-2008, SEC.14.

IC 25-4-2-9
Repealed
     (Repealed by P.L.214-1993, SEC.91.)

IC 25-4-2-9.1
Discipline; display of revoked, suspended, or expired credentials
     Sec. 9.1. The board may discipline a person under IC 25-1-11 if that person displays to the public credentials issued by the board that:
        (1) have been revoked by the board under IC 25-1-11; or
        (2) have expired.
As added by P.L.240-1985, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.214-1993, SEC.12.

IC 25-4-2-10 Illegal use of title; offense; injunction
     Sec. 10. (a) Any person who:
        (1) renders or offers to render services to the public, if the words "landscape architecture" or "registered landscape architecture" are used to describe these services;
        (2) uses the title "registered landscape architect" or "landscape architect"; or
        (3) engages in the practice of landscape architecture described in section 1 of this chapter;
without a current registration issued under this chapter commits a Class B infraction. A person who affixes a registered landscape architect's seal to a plan, specification, or drawing that has not been prepared by a currently registered landscape architect or under the immediate supervision of a currently registered landscape architect commits a Class B infraction.
    (b) Each day a violation described in this section continues to occur constitutes a separate offense.
    (c) The board may appear in its own name in the courts of the state and apply for injunctions to prevent violations of this chapter.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.225, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.242-1985, SEC.11; P.L.82-2000, SEC.17; P.L.1-2001, SEC.31.

IC 25-4-2-11
Practice by firm
     Sec. 11. (a) For purposes of this section, "firm" means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or sole proprietorship.
    (b) The practice of or an offer to practice landscape architecture by a firm may occur through an individual if the individual:
        (1) is in direct control of the landscape architecture practice;
        (2) exercises direct supervision of all personnel who act on behalf of the firm in landscape architecture professional and technical matters; and
        (3) holds a current registration under this chapter.
No firm doing business in Indiana may use the term or title "landscape architect", "landscape architecture", or "landscape architectural" or advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that the firm employs a practitioner unless the firm employs a practitioner. The name of a practitioner employed by the firm must appear whenever the name of the firm is used in the professional practice of landscape architecture. Any plans, sheets of designs, or specifications prepared by the personnel of the firm must carry the signature and seal of the practitioner who is responsible for supervising the landscape architecture work.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.225, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.242-1985, SEC.12; P.L.82-2000, SEC.18.

IC 25-4-2-12
Standards of competency
     Sec. 12. The board shall adopt standards of competency for the

practice of landscape architecture in accordance with IC 4-22-2.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.225, SEC.2.

IC 25-4-2-13
Continuing education and training; requirements
     Sec. 13. (a) The board may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to do the following:
        (1) Require continuing education and training for landscape architects.
        (2) Set minimum requirements for continuing education and training for landscape architects.
        (3) Set minimum requirements for continuing education instructors approved by the board.
    (b) The rules adopted under this section must require a landscape architect to comply with the following:
        (1) The landscape architect shall provide the board with a sworn statement signed by the landscape architect that the landscape architect has fulfilled the continuing education requirements required by the board.
        (2) The requirements under IC 25-1-4.
As added by P.L.23-2003, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.157-2006, SEC.24.