Continuing Education

Q. How many hours are required to renew a license?
A. Licensees are required to report ten hours of continuing education activities for renewals due on January 31, 2013. These hours can be in any area related to health, safety and welfare or professional development courses. Licensees will be required to report Twenty hours of continuing education activities for renewals due on January 31, 2015 and thereafter. Fifteen of these hours must be in health, safety and welfare topics and the remaining five hours may be in practice related topics that enhance and expand the skills, knowledge and abilities of practicing landscape architects. Of the twenty hours required in 2015 and thereafter, a minimum of twelve hours must be in structured activities and eight hours may be earned in self-directed study.
Q. Are carry-over hours allowed?
A. Yes, licensees are allowed to carry over ten hours of activities to the next reporting period.
Q. What kinds of courses are acceptable?

• Courses organized, sponsored, or approved by ASLA, CLARB and LA CES are automatically accepted by the Board.

• Technical presentations, workshops, or seminars on landscape architectural subjects which are provided by independent sponsors or held in conjunction with colleges, universities, conventions or seminars.

• Participation in public service activities that draw upon landscape architectural expertise.

• Authoring papers, articles or books.

• Participating in or attending individualized seminars, tutorials, or video courses.

• Teaching or taking landscape architectural courses.

Q. How will continuing education be reported?
A. Continuing education will be reported on the license renewal form. Back up documentation for continuing education is only required if a licensee is selected for an audit.
Q. What kinds of records should be maintained to substantiate continuing education credit?
A. Certificates of completion, agendas, or sign in sheets that show the number of hours credited for the course are acceptable. Please note that licensees are required to maintain these records for a period of four years.
Q. What if continuing education activities are disallowed?
A. The Board has final authority with respect to approval of courses, credit, continuing education hour value of courses, and other value of content. The licensee will have 180 calendar days after the date of notification to substantiate the original claim or to earn other continuing education credit to fulfill the minimum requirement if the Board disallows a continuing education claim.
Q. What is the penalty for not meeting the continuing education requirement?
A. Failure to fulfill the continuing education requirement or to reply to an audit will be considered a violation of the Landscape Architectural Registration Law and will be subject to disciplinary action.
Q. Are there exemptions to the continuing education requirement?
A. Yes, continuing education may be waived for the following reasons:

• A new licensee is exempt for their first reporting period (not to exceed 2 years).

• A licensee serving on tem porary active duty in the armed forces of the United States for a period of time exceeding 120 days in a year.

• A licensee experiencing physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances as reviewed and approved by the Board.

• Licensees approved for Emeritus Status.

Documentation may be required to substantiate a claim to waive the continuing education requirement.

Q. Who can I contact with questions regarding continuing education?
A. Please see the SC Code of Regulations, Section 76-6 for additional information on the continuing education requirement and contact Sherri Moorer at (803) 896-4618 or at sherri.moorer@llr.sc.gov with questions.