CHAPTER 544B
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

Referred to in §10A.506, 26.3, 26.14, 26A.3, 103.22, 105.11, 272C.1, 272C.6, 669.14, 714H.4

This chapter not enacted as a part of this title;

transferred from chapter 118A in Code 1993

  
     
544B.1  Definitions.
  As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
  1.  “Board” means the landscape architectural examining board established pursuant to section 544B.3.
  2.  “Practice of landscape architecture” means the performance of professional services such as consultations, investigations, reconnaissance, research, planning, design, or responsible supervision in connection with projects involving the arranging of land and the elements thereon for public and private use and enjoyment, including the alignment of roadways and the location of buildings, service areas, parking areas, walkways, steps, ramps, pools and other structures, and the grading of the land, surface and subsoil drainage, erosion control, planting, reforestation, and the preservation of the natural landscape and aesthetic values, in accordance with accepted professional standards of public health, welfare, and safety. This practice shall include the location and arrangement of such tangible objects and features as are incidental and necessary to the purposes outlined in this chapter but shall not include the design of structures or facilities with separate and self-contained purposes for habitation or industry, or the design of public streets and highways, utilities, storm and sanitary sewers, and sewage treatment facilities, such as are ordinarily included in the practice of engineering or architecture; and shall not include the making of land surveys or final land plats for official approval or recording. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as authorizing a professional landscape architect to engage in the practice of architecture, engineering, or land surveying.
  3.  “Professional landscape architect” means a person who has obtained a license pursuant to section 544B.2, and who engages in the practice of landscape architecture as defined in this section.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.1]
C93, §544B.1
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §1, 2; 2003 Acts, ch 108, §102

     
544B.2  License required.
  A person shall not engage in the practice of landscape architecture, or use the title “landscape architect”, “professional landscape architect”, “landscape architecture designer”, or use other titles or words, letters, figures, signs, cards, advertisements, symbols, or other devices to represent that the person or a business associated with the person is authorized to practice landscape architecture, without first obtaining a license as a professional landscape architect from the board pursuant to this chapter. Every holder of a license as a professional landscape architect shall display it in a conspicuous place in the holder’s principal office.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.2]
C93, §544B.2
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §3
Referred to in §544B.1

  
     
544B.3  Landscape architectural examining board created.
  1.  A landscape architectural examining board is created within the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing. The board consists of five members who are professional landscape architects and two members who are not professional landscape architects and who shall represent the general public. Members shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate. Four of the five professional members shall be actively engaged in the practice of landscape architecture or the teaching of landscape architecture in an accredited college or university, and shall have been so engaged for five years preceding appointment, the last two of which shall have been in Iowa. One of the five professional members shall be actively engaged in the practice of landscape architecture or the teaching of landscape architecture in an accredited college or university, and may have been so engaged for fewer than five years preceding appointment but at least one year preceding appointment. Associations or societies composed of professional landscape architects may recommend the names of potential board members to the governor. However, the governor is not bound by the recommendations. A board member shall not be required to be a member of any professional association or society composed of professional landscape architects.
  2.  Appointments shall be for three-year terms and shall commence and end as provided in section 69.19. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment of the governor and are subject to senate confirmation. Members shall serve no more than three terms or nine years, whichever is less.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.3]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §728
C93, §544B.3
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §4; 2006 Acts, ch 1177, §43; 2019 Acts, ch 110, §1; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §1697
Referred to in §544B.1
Confirmation, see §2.32

     
544B.4  Organization of the board — meetings — quorum.
  The board shall elect annually from its members a chairperson and vice chairperson. The duties of the officers are those usually performed by such officers. The board shall hold at least one meeting each year at the location of the board’s principal office, and meetings shall be called at other times by division staff at the request of the chairperson or four members of the board. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum. No action at any meeting can be taken without the affirmative votes of a majority of the members of the board.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.4]
88 Acts, ch 1158, §27; 90 Acts, ch 1168, §24
C93, §544B.4

  
     
544B.5  Duties.
  The board shall enforce this chapter and shall make rules for the examination of applicants for licensure. The board shall keep a record of its proceedings. The board shall adopt an official seal which shall be affixed to all certificates of licensure granted. The board may make other rules, not inconsistent with law, as necessary for the proper performance of its duties. The board shall maintain a roster showing the name, place of business, and residence, and the date and number of the certificate of licensure of every professional landscape architect in this state. The director of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing shall hire and provide staff to assist the board in implementing this chapter.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.5]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §729
C93, §544B.5
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §5; 2006 Acts, ch 1177, §44; 2019 Acts, ch 110, §2; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §1698

  
     
544B.6  Annual report.  Repealed by 
98 Acts, ch 1119, §11
. 

     
544B.7  Expenses — compensation.
  Members of the board are entitled to receive reimbursement of actual expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties within the limits of funds appropriated to the board. Each member of the board may also be eligible to receive compensation as provided in section 7E.6.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.7]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §730
C93, §544B.7

  
     
544B.8  Examination.
  1.  A person applying for a certificate of licensure as a professional landscape architect shall satisfactorily pass an examination in technical and professional subjects prescribed by the board. The board may adopt the uniform standardized examination and grading procedures of a national certification body recognized by the board. The examination may be conducted by representatives of the board. The identity of a person taking the examination shall be concealed until after the examination is graded. The fee for examination shall be based on the annual cost of administering the examinations. The public members of the board shall be allowed to participate in administrative, clerical, or ministerial functions incident to giving the examination, but shall not determine the content of the examination or determine the correctness of the answers.
  2.  An applicant who has failed the examination may request in writing information from the board concerning the applicant’s examination grade and subject areas or questions which the applicant failed to answer correctly, except that if the board administers a uniform, standardized examination, the board shall only be required to provide the examination grade and such other information concerning the applicant’s examination results which are available to the board.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.8]
C93, §544B.8
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §6; 2019 Acts, ch 110, §3

  
     
544B.9  Applications.
  1.  Any person may apply for a certificate of licensure or may apply to take an examination for such certification. Applications for licensure shall be on forms prescribed and furnished by the board, shall contain statements made under oath, showing the applicant’s education and detail summary of the applicant’s pertinent practical landscape architectural work and experience. The board shall not require that a recent photograph of the applicant be attached to the application form. An applicant shall not be ineligible for licensure on the basis of membership in any protected class under chapter 216. The board may consider the past felony record of an applicant only if the felony conviction relates directly to the practice of landscape architecture. Character references may be required but shall not be obtained from professional landscape architects. Each applicant for licensure as a professional landscape architect shall meet one of the following requirements:
  a.  Graduation from a course in landscape architecture in a school, college, or university offering an accredited minimum four-year curriculum in landscape architecture, and a minimum of three years of practical experience in landscape architectural work which in the opinion of the board is of satisfactory character, at least one year of which must be under the supervision of a professional landscape architect or a person who becomes a professional landscape architect within one year after July 1, 2002.
  b.  Graduation from a nonaccredited course of landscape architecture of a minimum of four years in a school, college, or university and a minimum of four years of practical experience in landscape architectural work which in the opinion of the board is of satisfactory character, at least one year of which must be under the supervision of a professional landscape architect.
  c.  A minimum of ten years of practical experience in landscape architectural work which in the opinion of the board is of satisfactory character to properly prepare the applicant for the examination.
  2.  A satisfactorily completed year of study in an accredited course of landscape architecture in an accredited school, college, or university may be accepted in lieu of one year of practical experience.
  3.  A master’s degree from an accredited school, college, or university may be accepted in lieu of one year of practical experience.
  4.  Any four-year college or university degree may be accepted in lieu of two years of practical experience.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.9]
C93, §544B.9
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §7; 2012 Acts, ch 1023, §157; 2019 Acts, ch 110, §4

  
     
544B.10  Foreign licensees.
  Any applicant who holds a license or certificate to practice landscape architecture issued to the applicant upon examination by a national certification body recognized by the board as prescribed by rule, or by a board of examiners in any other state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or of any foreign country, if the requirements for such license or certificate were, at the time it was issued, in the opinion of the board, equal to or higher than the requirements of this state, may be licensed without further examination.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.10]
C93, §544B.10
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §8; 2019 Acts, ch 110, §5

  
     
544B.11  Licensure.
  When an applicant has complied with the application requirements of this chapter and has passed the examination prescribed by the board, or is a foreign registrant and has qualified for licensure under this chapter, and has paid the required licensure fee, the secretary shall enroll the applicant’s name and address in the roster of professional landscape architects and issue to the applicant a certificate of licensure.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.11]
C93, §544B.11
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §9; 2019 Acts, ch 110, §6
Referred to in §544B.20

  
     
544B.12  Seal.
  Every professional landscape architect shall have a seal which shall contain the name of the landscape architect and the words “Professional Landscape Architect, State of Iowa”, and such other words or figures as the board may deem necessary. All landscape architectural plans and specifications, prepared by such professional landscape architect or under the supervision of such professional landscape architect, shall be dated and bear the legible seal of such professional landscape architect. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to permit the seal of a professional landscape architect to serve as a substitute for the seal of a licensed architect, a licensed professional engineer, or a licensed professional land surveyor whenever the seal of an architect, engineer, or land surveyor is required under the laws of this state.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.12]
C93, §544B.12
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §10; 2003 Acts, ch 44, §95; 2007 Acts, ch 126, §97; 2012 Acts, ch 1009, §27; 2017 Acts, ch 131, §7; 2019 Acts, ch 110, §7

     
544B.13  Renewals.
  Certificates of licensure shall expire in intervals as determined by the board. Professional landscape architects shall renew their certificates of licensure and pay a renewal fee in the manner and amount prescribed by the board. A person who fails to renew a certificate by the expiration date shall be allowed to do so within thirty days following its expiration, but the board may assess a reasonable penalty.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.13]
C93, §544B.13
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §11; 2012 Acts, ch 1009, §28

     
544B.14  Fees.
  1.  The board shall set the fees for a certificate of licensure as a professional landscape architect, and for renewal of a certificate. The fee for a certificate of licensure and for renewal of a certificate shall be based upon the administrative costs of sustaining the board which shall include, but shall not be limited to, the costs for:
  a.  Per diem, expenses, and travel for board members.
  b.  Office facilities, supplies and equipment.
  c.  Staff assistance.
  2.  All fees shall be collected by the secretary, paid to the treasurer of state, and deposited in the licensing and regulation fund created in section 10A.507.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.14]
90 Acts, ch 1168, §25; 90 Acts, ch 1261, §41
C93, §544B.14
94 Acts, ch 1107, §92; 2002 Acts, ch 1045, §12; 2012 Acts, ch 1023, §157; 2023 Acts, ch 108, §47

     
544B.15  Suspension, revocation, or reprimand.
  The board may by a five-sevenths vote of the entire board, suspend for a period not exceeding two years, or revoke the certificate of licensure of, or reprimand any licensee who is found guilty of the following acts or offenses:
  1.  Fraud in procuring a certificate of licensure.
  2.  Professional incompetency.
  3.  Knowingly making misleading, deceptive, untrue, or fraudulent representations in the practice of the licensee’s profession or engaging in unethical conduct or practice harmful or detrimental to the public. Proof of actual injury need not be established.
  4.  Habitual intoxication or addiction to the use of drugs.
  5.  Conviction of a felony related to the profession or occupation of the licensee that would affect the licensee’s ability to practice professional landscape architecture. A copy of the record of conviction or plea of guilty is conclusive evidence.
  6.  Fraud in representations as to skill or ability.
  7.  Use of untruthful or improbable statements in advertisements.
  8.  Willful or repeated violations of the provisions of this chapter.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.15]
85 Acts, ch 195, §14
C93, §544B.15
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §13
Referred to in §272C.3, 272C.4

  
     
544B.16  Complaints — procedure.
  A person may file a complaint with the board against a professional landscape architect or the board may initiate a complaint. Unless the complaint is dismissed by the board as unfounded or trivial, the board may request the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing to conduct an investigation into the complaint. The department of inspections, appeals, and licensing shall report its findings to the board, and the board shall hold a hearing within sixty days after the date on which the complaint is filed. The board shall fix the time and place for such hearing and shall cause a copy of the complaint, together with a notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing, to be served on the accused at least thirty days before the date fixed for the hearing. Where personal service cannot be effected, service may be effected by publication. At such hearing, the accused shall have the right to appear personally or by counsel, to cross-examine witnesses against the accused, and to produce evidence and witnesses in defense. After the hearing, the board may suspend or revoke the certificate of licensure. The board may restore the certificate of licensure to any person whose certificate of licensure has been revoked. Application for the restoration of a certificate of licensure shall be made in such manner, form, and content as the board may prescribe.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.16]
88 Acts, ch 1158, §28
C93, §544B.16
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §14; 2019 Acts, ch 110, §8; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §2029
Referred to in §272C.5

     
544B.17  Attorney general to assist and witnesses.
  The board is entitled to the counsel and services of the attorney general or such assistance as the attorney general may so designate. The board may compel the attendance of witnesses, pay witness fees and mileage, and take testimony and affidavits and administer oaths concerning any matter within its jurisdiction.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.17]
C93, §544B.17

     
544B.18  Unlawful practice.
  Any person who uses the words “landscape architect”, “professional landscape architect”, or “landscape architecture designer”, or any word or any letters or figures indicating or tending to imply that the person using the same is a professional landscape architect, without having a valid certificate of licensure as a professional landscape architect issued pursuant to this chapter, or who knowingly assists such a person, is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.18]
C93, §544B.18
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §15

  
     
544B.19  Injunction.
  In addition to any other remedies, and on the petition of the board or any person, any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter may be restrained and permanently enjoined from committing or continuing the violations.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.19]
C93, §544B.19
98 Acts, ch 1119, §10; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §312

  
     
544B.20  Scope of chapter.
  Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed:
  1.  To apply to a professional engineer duly licensed under the laws of this state.
  2.  To apply to an architect licensed under the laws of this state.
  3.  To prevent a licensed architect or licensed professional engineer from doing landscape planning and designing.
  4.  To affect or prevent the practice of land surveying by a professional land surveyor licensed under the laws of this state.
  5.  To apply to the business conducted in this state by any planner, agriculturist, soil conservationist, horticulturist, tree expert, arborist, forester, nursery or landscape nursery person, gardener, landscape gardener, landscape contractor, garden or lawn caretaker, tiling contractor, grader or cultivator of land, golf course designer or contractor, or similar business. However, such person shall not use the designation landscape architect or any title or device indicating or representing that such person is a professional landscape architect or is practicing landscape architecture unless such person is licensed under the provisions of section 544B.11.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.20]
C93, §544B.20
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §16; 2007 Acts, ch 126, §98; 2012 Acts, ch 1009, §29; 2017 Acts, ch 131, §7

     
544B.21  Examination not required.
  Any person who is registered pursuant to this chapter on July 1, 2002, shall be issued a license to practice as a professional landscape architect.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §118A.21]
C93, §544B.21
2002 Acts, ch 1045, §17