The Landscape Architect - A Consumer Guide
Landscape Architecture as a profession adapts and integrates the man-made environment with the natural environment while protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public. The profession is also concerned with providing energy and resource conservation, barrier-free design, and pleasant, functional outdoor spaces.
The Professional Landscape Architect Licensing Program is administered by the Land, Water and Conservation Division of the SC Department of Natural Resources. This Program offers the national registration exam for licensure as a Landscape Architect, registers qualified landscape architects, and handles consumer complaints and discipline problems.
Design services provided by a licensed Landscape Architect
- Preservation of the quality of existing natural landscapes
- Playgrounds, parks, arboretums, and other recreational areas
- Commercial and residential environments
- Urban renewal and revitalization
- Historic landscape preservation
- New community design
- Land reclamation
- Climate, ecosystem, and resource analysis
- Energy efficient design
- Circulation networks for vehicles and pedestrians
- Landscapes accessable to the handicapped and elderly
- Non-hazardous plant landscapes
- Erosion and sediment control
- Land and water conservation and resource management
- Shoreline conservation and protection
- Fire, pollution and vandal resistance
- Temperature and wind control
- Dry/wet tolerant landscapes
Landscape Architectural design and implementation services include:
- Analysis of site uses and constraints
- Analysis of client needs
- Development of preliminary drawings and review with client and local agencies
- Compliance with applicable codes and ordinances
- Consultation with other professionals, as necessary
- Development of construction drawings and specifications used to obtain bids and implement designs
- Observation, review, and inspection of work in progress for consistency with design specifications
Directory of Landscape Architects licensed in SC
To practice as a Landscape Architect or use the title "Landscape Architect" in South Carolina, an individual must be licensed. A corporation or partnership must obtain a Certificate of Authorization to practice Landscape Architecture.
License requirements for individuals:
- Accredited degree in landscape architecture and 2 years experience;
or 8 years experience - Pass Landscape Architect Registration Exam
- Annual license renewal
Certificate requirements for corporations and partnerships:
- Responsible landscape architect must be a corporate officer or partner and must be licensed as a landscape architect in South Carolina
- A copy of Articles of Incorporation or partnership agreement must be submitted
- Annual renewal contingent on license renewal of responsible landscape architect
- Annual Qualification Statement must be filed
Some of these publications are in the Adobe® Acrobat® (PDF) format. Adobe® Reader® is
required to open these files and is available as a free download from the Adobe®
Web site. 