1. Board. – The North Carolina Board of Landscape Architects.
2. Landscape architect. – A person who, on the basis of demonstrated knowledge acquired by professional education or practical experience, or both, has been granted, and holds a current certificate entitling him or her to practice "landscape architecture" and to use the title "landscape architect" in North Carolina under the authority of this Chapter.
3. Landscape architecture or the practice of landscape architecture. – The performance of services 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 features, ground cover and planting, naturalistic and aesthetic values, the settings, approaches or environment for structures or other improvements, natural drainage and the consideration and determination of inherent problems of the land relating to the erosion, wear and tear, blight or other hazards. This practice shall include the preparation of plans and specifications and supervising the execution of projects involving the arranging of land and the elements set forth in this subsection used in connection with the land for public and private use and enjoyment, embracing the following, all in accordance with the accepted professional standards of public health, safety and welfare:
     (a)   The location and orientation of buildings and other similar site elements.
     (b)   The location, routing and design of public and private streets, residential and commercial subdivision roads, or roads in and providing access to private or public developments. This does not include the preparation of construction plans for proposed roads classified as major thoroughfares or a higher classification.
     (c)   The location, routing and design of private and public pathways and other travelways.
     (d)   The preparation of planting plans.
     (e)   The design of surface or incidental subsurface drainage systems, soil conservation and erosion control measures necessary to an overall landscape plan and site design. (1969, c. 672, s. 1; 1997-406, s. 1; 2001-496, s. 12.1(a).)

1. Administer and enforce the provisions of this Chapter.
2. Adopt rules to administer and enforce the provisions of this Chapter.
3. Examine and determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for registration and renewal of registration.
4. Determine the qualifications of firms, partnerships, or corporations applying for a certificate of registration.
5. Issue, renew, deny, suspend, or revoke certificates of registration and conduct any disciplinary actions authorized by this Chapter.
6. Establish and approve continuing education requirements for persons registered under this Chapter.
7. Receive and investigate complaints from members of the public.
8. Conduct investigations for the purpose of determining whether violations of this Chapter or grounds for disciplining registrants exist.
9. Conduct administrative hearings in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.
10. Maintain a record of all proceedings conducted by the Board and make available to registrants and other concerned parties an annual report of all Board action.
11. Employ and fix the compensation of personnel that the Board determines is necessary to carry out the provisions of this Chapter and incur other expenses necessary to perform the duties of the Board.
12. Adopt and publish a code of professional conduct for all registrants.
13. Adopt a seal containing the name of the Board for use on all certificates of registration and official reports issued by the Board.
14. Retain private counsel subject to G.S. 114-2.3. (1997-406, s. 4; 1997-456, s. 27; 2002-168, s. 7.)

1. Shall be at least 18 years of age.
2. Shall be of good moral character.
3. Shall be a graduate of a Landscape Architect's Accreditation Board (LAAB) accredited collegiate curriculum in landscape architecture as approved by the Board.
4. Shall have at least four years' experience in landscape architecture.

    Application..................................................... $100.00
    License by reciprocity or comity ................................ 250.00
    Annual license renewal .......................................... 100.00
    Late renewal penalty ............................................. 50.00
    Reissue of certificate ........................................... 25.00
    Corporate certificate.............................................250.00
    

1. Obtains a certificate of registration by fraudulent misrepresentation.
2. Uses or attempts to use another's certificate of registration to practice landscape architecture.
3. Uses or attempts to use another's name for purposes of obtaining a certificate of registration or practicing landscape architecture.
4. Has demonstrated gross malpractice or gross incompetency as determined by the Board.
5. Has been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to a crime that indicates that the person is unfit or incompetent to practice landscape architecture or that indicates the person has deceived or defrauded the public.
6. Has been declared mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction.
7. Has willfully violated any of the provisions of this Chapter or the Board's rules.

1. The nature, gravity, and persistence of the particular violation.
2. The appropriateness of the imposition of a civil penalty when considered alone or in combination with other punishment.
3. Whether the violation was willful.
4. Any other factors that would tend to mitigate or aggravate the violations found to exist. (1969, c. 672, s. 7; 1973, c. 1331, s. 3; 1987, c. 827, ss. 1, 71; 1997-406, s. 8.)