Top 5 Tips On How Do You Become a Certified Landscape Designer
A career in Landscape Architecture is an exciting and challenging one. The profession is very young, and the field continues to grow constantly. Being a landscape architect takes a certain skill set and has specific requirements.
A landscape architecture or landscape designer is a chartered profession like architecture, accountancy or surveying which requires at least a first degree and then to continue learning while you work in order to qualify fully as a chartered landscape architect. You will also need to be a member of the Landscape Institute, the professional body, qualifying authority and regulator for the profession.
Tip No 1: Gain the access through the Associate Membership pathway
In the UK, most of the landscape architects begin their career by completing an undergraduate or postgraduate entry course accredited by the Landscape Institute. Successful candidates will be awarded with the ‘Associate Membership’ of the LI (Landscape Institute).
After that, the graduates will undertake a period of mentored experience while working, as part of the Pathway to Chartership. This pathway helps to develop the knowledge, understanding and professionalism required.
Some choose to carry out self-study while most of the people choose to be in some kind of professional practice before the final oral examination. Successful candidates will become the full member, and is honored to carry the title of ‘Chartered Landscape Architect “.
Tip No 2: Yearly professional development is compulsory
All landscape architects are required to complete at least 20 hours continuing professional development each year to ensure one get posted on the most current thinking and practice in this profession.
Tip No 3: Essential relevant and professional work experience helps!
In the US, generally it will take at least four years of relevant and professional work experience before you apply to become a certified landscape designer. It helps to ease up the approval process or be exceptionally out-shined among the competitors with the same skill sets and experiences.
Tip No 4: owning the portfolio of three professionally completed projects
You will also need to have a portfolio of three professionally completed projects that you can submit for review in order to become a certified landscape designer.
Tip No 5: get yourself the CLT certification to elevate your profession
On the other hand, the Certified Landscape Technician (CLT) program is designed to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance, and design landscape professionals who demonstrate the knowledge essential to the Landscape Industry.
This Certification is an international, hands-on testing program administered by WALP (Washington Association of Landscape professionals) that recognizes proficiency in the landscape workforce, to upgrade the status of the landscape professional and provide the public with a means of identifying qualified landscape professionals.
There are a few modules which have been set for any candidate to participate in for an CLT program, such as the below, to further enhance your career advancement in the landscape Industry:
- The Softscape or Hardscape Installation Test demonstrates the skills are available for one to review a landscape blueprint and implement the design in the field.
- The Irrigation Test demonstrates a person’s skills to install and maintain an irrigation system and understands the fundamentals of water management.
- The Ornamental Maintenance Test shows that a person has the skill set to maintain a landscape project in a professional manner.
A landscape technician may find employment in landscape construction, nurseries, green houses, garden centre, yard and tree care, golf courses, public parks, cemeteries, and many other gardening related fields which has been identified as one of the most demanded professions in time to come.