South Carolina Board of Landscape Architectural Examiners

S.C. Code of Regulations 76-6. Continuing Education Requirements.

1. ) Continuing Education: Each licensed landscape architect is required to meet the Continuing Education Requirements of the Board prior to renewing their license for the next biennial licensure period.
2. Fifteen (15) of the 20 hours must be in structured health/safety/welfare topics. Structured activities include technical presentations, workshops, or seminars in landscape architectural subjects provided by independent sponsors or held in conjunction with colleges, universities, conventions, or seminars. Links to approved activities are included in the “Resources” section.
3. A maximum of five (5) hours is allowed for practice related, self directed topics. Examples of self directed study include:
   • Public service that draws on landscape architectural expertise, such as design review boards, planning commissions, building codes advisory boards, urban renewal boards, or code study committees.
   • Authoring papers, articles, or books.
   • Individualized seminars, tutorials, video courses, or webinars that are pre-recorded and do not allow interaction with an instructor.
   • Double credit is issued for teaching landscape architectural courses or seminars. Credit can only be claimed once, and does not apply to full-time faculty.

   The registrant shall maintain a file of documentation for activities for a period of 4 years.

4. Approval of Activities:
   • Any activity offered by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Council of Landscape Architect Registration Boards (CLARB), courses approved by the Landscape Architect Continuing Education System (LA CES), and courses given by colleges and universities are automatically accepted.
   • Activity information, including the CE Reporting Form and copies of acceptable documentation, must submitted to the Board for approval if an individual is selected for a random audit. Examples of acceptable documentation are Certificates of Completion, Agendas, Sign in sheets (that provide the required details), meeting minutes (to confirm public service activities), and a copy of articles or papers published. For books, a synopsis and a link to a retailer should be provided.
   • Audit decisions by the Board will be final.
   • Licensees are given 45 days after notification of a disapproval to fulfill the deficient hours. Courses taken to fulfill a deficiency will apply toward the previous renewal period, and cannot be resubmitted for the current license renewal period.
5. Non Compliance: An individual who does not meet the CE requirements shall be placed on a probationary status for a length of time determined by the Board. Failure to complete the requirements during that period will result in cancellation of registration and prohibition from practicing landscape architecture in South Carolina.
6. Reinstatement to Active Registration: An individual wishing to have registration restored must submit documentation of 20 hours of continuing education during the biennial period.
7. Carry-over Credits: A maximum of ten (10) hours may carry over to the next biennial renewal period.
8. Exemptions:
   • A new licensee is exempt for their first renewal (not to exceed two years).
   • A licensee serving on temporary active duty in the armed forces of the United States for a period of time exceeding 120 days in a year. Documentation to substantiate this exemption must be submitted to the Board by January 1 of odd numbered years.
   • A licensee experiencing physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances as reviewed and approved by the Board. Documentation to substantiate this exemption must be submitted to the Board by January 1 of odd numbered years.
   • Licensees approved for Emeritus Status.

Licensees are encouraged to visit https://cebroker.com and set up a free account to track and submit continuing education for future license renewals.

Suggested Structured Activities:

• American Society of Landscape Architects
• Landscape Architect Continuing Education System
• Council of Landscape Architect Registration Boards (CLARB)
• Red Vector
• Ron Blank
• LEED Certification
• University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education (example: Landscape Planning Short Course)
• AEC Daily
• GibneyCE.com

Q. Is there a continuing education requirement for license renewals?

A. Licensees are required to report 20 hours of continuing education activities each biennial renewal period. Additional information on continuing education is available on the “Education” tab. 

Q. How do I report my continuing education hours?

A. You will certify on the license renewal form that you have met the continuing education requirement for the biennial period. Do not send documentation to the Board unless you are selected for an audit. A form for personal use in tracking hours is available on the Board website at Landscape Architecture Continuing Education Form.

Q. When are continuing education audits?

A. Continuing education audits are conducted after the biennial license renewal period ends in April of odd numbered years. You will be contacted by U.S. Mail if you are selected for an audit.

Q. Can you tell me if the course I plan to take will be approved for continuing education?

A. The Board does not pre-approve courses. It is the responsibility of the licensee to take courses that assist them in their practice, and to obtain documentation of the course that includes the course name, date, description, location, instructor name, and number of hours offered for the course.