Landscape Architects change to licensure

Effective May 13, 2009, Public Act 490  was enacted changing Landscape Architects in Michigan from a registration status to a licensed status.  Consequently, the department changed all registered landscape architects who were in active status according to the department's records on May 13, 2009, from a registration status to a licensed status.

During the next license renewal period for the occupation in the year 2010, the department will issue licenses to individuals who apply for license renewal. 

Also, Public Act 491 was enacted increasing the initial license application processing fee and per year license fee for landscape architects beginning May 13, 2009.  The licensure fees are as follows:

Initial license application processing fee: $200.00.

Per year license fee: $60.00

Late license renewal fee: $20.00

Verification of licensure to another jurisdiction: $15.00

Duplicate license - if license lost, stolen or destroyed: $10.00

The department is responsible for the licensure of individuals to practice landscape architecture in Michigan.  Article 22 of Public Act 299 of 1980 defines a landscape architect as a person qualified to practice landscape architecture.  Landscape architecture is defined, in part, in the Act as the performance of professional services such as consultation, investigation, research, planning, design, or responsible field observation in connection with the development of land areas where, and to the extent that the dominant purpose of the services is the preservation, enhancement, or determination of proper land uses, natural land resources, ground cover and planting. The Act also prohibits individuals from using the title "landscape architect" without being licensed as such.  However, the Act does not prohibit the use of the titles "landscape gardener", "landscape contractor", landscape designer", or "landscape operator".  See MCL 339.2201(b) and 339.2211.