HB267 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Parker MooreRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

To provide further for the practice of landscape architecture

Summary

HB267 updates Alabama's landscape architecture licensing rules by clarifying definitions, exam and fee structures, adding reciprocity with other states, and updating language.

What This Bill Does

Clarifies key terms (board, landscape architect, landscape architecture) and references CLARB as the examiner for licensure. Updates licensure requirements, including education/experience paths (with options for degrees, board-approved alternatives, or substantial practical experience) and a board-approved exam (which may be digital) along with continuing education for licensees. Creates a pathway for licensure by reciprocity from other states or countries if qualifications are substantially equivalent and recognition is similar, with payment of current fees and required supporting evidence. Sets and updates fee amounts for applications, exams, certificates, renewals, reinstatement, delinquency, and related services, and adds nonsubstantive language revisions to modernize the code. Effective date is October 1, 2024.

Who It Affects

• Aspiring and current landscape architects in Alabama: they must follow clarified education/experience paths, take a board-approved (potentially CLARB) exam, meet continuing education requirements, and pay the updated fees.
• Landscape architects licensed in other states or countries seeking Alabama licensure by reciprocity: they can obtain Alabama licensure if their qualifications are substantially equivalent and similarly recognized, by paying the current fee and providing required evidence.

Key Provisions

• Defines key terms: BOARD (Alabama State Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects), LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, and CLARB (Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards).
• Clarifies the scope of landscape architecture and distinguishes it from architecture, engineering, and land surveying; allows licensed landscape architects to perform related services while maintaining that certain separate-engineering/architectural projects remain outside this practice.
• Establishes licensure pathways: degree in landscape architecture or board-approved alternatives; experience requirements; possible exemption paths including substantial practical experience (with specifics on years and prior to certain dates).
• Exam requirements: CLARB to develop and administer the licensure exam; board to hold exams at least yearly; exam may be digital and may include oral components.
• Reciprocity: board may grant Alabama licenses by reciprocity if the other state/country has substantially equivalent qualifications and offers similar recognition to Alabama licenses; applicant must pay current fees and provide required evidence.
• Fees: specifies amounts for application ($150), examination (cost-based not exceeding actual costs), original/duplicate certificates ($50 each), annual license ($150), delinquent fees ($50), supplemental exam/attestation ($150), reinstatement ($300), and inactive status ($75).
• Continuing education: board must adopt a continuing education program for licensees as a condition of license renewal.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective October 1, 2024, with nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update language.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Authorities, Boards, & Commissions