Landscape architects in Iowa fall under the purview of the Landscape Architectural Examining Board, who facilitates licensing and registration, as well as disciplinary action for landscape architects. Find links to resources for landscape architects, licensing information, and updates here.
View the Disciplinary Index
Disciplinary action against non-licensees and discipline against licensees can be found in our online index. Search the index to locate information about a specific action.
Fees for examination subjects shall be paid directly to the testing service selected by CLARB.
Fee / License Type | Associated Costs |
---|---|
Exemption fee (This certificate of licensure is to be effective to the June 30 which is at least 12 months beyond the date of the application.) | $300 |
Wall certificate replacement fee | $25 |
Certificate of licensure fee (This certificate of licensure is to be effective the day of board action until June 30.) | $15 / month |
Biennial licensure fee (active) | $350 |
Biennial licensure fee (inactive) | $100 |
Late renewal fee (for renewals submitted on or after July 1 and before July 30) | $25 |
“Professional landscape architect, retired” status | No fee |
Reinstatement of lapsed licensure to active status | $100 + renewal fee + $25 per month or partial month of lapsed licensure; not to exceed $750 |
Reinstatement of inactive or retired status to active status (If less than 12 months from the next biennial renewal, one-half of the current active licensure fee shall be paid.) | $350 |
Prelicense determination fee | $25 |
The Landscape Architectural Examining Board was created in 1975. The law provides that the membership of the board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Five of these members must be professional landscape architects and two members must not be professional landscape architects who represent the general public.
Interested in applying to become a part of the board? Submit an application here.
Board Members
Landscape Architects

Ryan Anderson
Cedar Rapids, IA
Appointed May 1, 2021
Current Term Expires April 30, 2024

John Brehm
West Des Moines, IA
Appointed May 1, 2021
Current Term Expires April 30, 2024

Curtis Stemsrud
Grinnell, IA
Appointed May 1, 2023
Current Term Expires April 30, 2026

Brenda Nelson
Iowa City, IA
Appointed May 1, 2016
Current Term Expires April 30, 2025
Public Members

Maryam Maddahzad
Des Moines, IA
Appointed May 1, 2023
Current Term Expires April 30, 2026

Luke Martz
Ames, IA
Appointed May 1, 2022
Current Term Expires April 30, 2025
Board Staff
Renee Paulsen, Board Executive—515.725.9028
Demetria Witt, Licensing Specialist—515.725.9021
Lindsey Browning, Assistant Attorney General
Meeting Agendas & Minutes
Tentative Future Board Meeting Dates for 2023:
January 17, 2023
2023 | 2022 |
---|---|
January 17 |
April 5
|
April 17
|
July 28
|
|
October 13
|
- Administrative Rules 193D
- Iowa Code 544B
- Iowa Administrative Rules: 193 - Professional Licensing Bureau
- Iowa Code Chapter 17A - Iowa Administrative Procedure Act
- Iowa Code Chapter 272C - Continuing Education and Regulation - Professional and Occupational
- List of Criminal Offenses Directly Relating to the Profession of Landscape Architecture
- 2019 Iowa Building Code Official’s Handbook - New!
Pursuant to Executive Order 10, the Iowa Professional Licensing & Regulation Bureau will be reviewing its existing Administrative Rules in accordance with the schedule. More information about Executive Order 10 is available on the Department of Management’s website.
Agency Rules Administrator
The Agency Rules Administrator is the official responsible for the administration of the agency rulemaking process. If you have any questions about current or pending agency rules for the Board, contact the Agency Rules Administrator:
Agency Rules Administrator
Interior Design Examining Board
200 E Grand Ave, Ste. 350
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 725-9022
Fax: (515) 725-9033
Email: LandscapeArchitectureBoard@iowa.gov
The Iowa Legislature has tools available in order to keep up-to-date with the rulemaking process.
- Administrative Rules Agency Changes Subscription: To subscribe to receive a notice of any rule changes from an agency, visit https://www.legis.iowa.gov/subscribe/agencyChanges and select the agency (or agencies) from which you want to get notices.
- Rules Tracker: To track the progress of each rule-making document, visit https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/tracker.
- To learn more about the rule-making process, visit https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules/howDoRulesWork.
Paper applications are no longer accepted. To submit an online application, new and returning users should log into My Iowa PLB.
- License by Exam Application
- License by Exemption Application
- Reinstatement to Active Status Application
General Forms
For information about the L.A.R.E. examination, please visit the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) website.
- CLARB (Council of Landscape Architecture Registration Boards)
- 2022 Lapsed Licensees
- IAASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects Iowa Chapter)
- ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects)
- Continuing Education Requirements
- Continuing Education CE Audit Form for Non-HSW Courses (Please attach this form with your course materials)
- How to use the CE Audit Form for documenting non HSW continuing education
- Continuing Education Disallowed
- 2020 Professional Licensure Relief