CONTINUING EDUCATION CORRESPONDENCE
Since 1998, landscape architects in Connecticut have been required to obtain continuing education credit. The following correspondence here presented herein as a historical reference to the initial requirements and intent of the regulations. Current guidance and information is available through the Department of Consumer Protection website.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION
Board of Landscape Architects
April 9, 1999
TO: Connecticut Licensed Landscape Architects
FROM: Connecticut Board of Landscape Architects
RE: Changes in Statutes and Regulations concerning the practice of landscape architecture
On several occasions over the past year, you were informed of pending changes in the State regulations governing the practice of landscape architecture in Connecticut, We are pleased to transmit a copy of the revised statutes and regulations for your use.
You will note there are significant changes in the regulations, particularly with respect to professional conduct and the requirements for continuing education. As previously advised, all licensees are required to have a total of 24 contact hours of continuing education by the July 2000, renewal period. The Board offers the following guidance to assist you in
meeting your continuing education obligation:
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It is the obligation of each licensee to maintain a record of the continuing education courses. At the time of the license renewal period in July 2000,you will be asked to simply list the courses on the renewal form provided
at the time of renewal. -
The reporting system is an honor system and it is expected that, as licensed professionals, the system will be respected by each licensee. However, the Department of Consumer Protection may audit continuing education activities of a percentage of licensees. Therefore, it is important that you keep records of courses taken, including registration forms,cancelled checks, and completion certificates, if any.
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The Board does to intend to pre-approve specific continuing education courses, seminars, or other activates except for "self-guided" courses or individual research. The basic principle is that continuing education must be directed to the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the consumer. Attached is a list of subject matter or knowledge which have been identified, in the task analysis conducted by the National Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards as year, as being essential to the practice of landscape architecture. Continuing education courses which address any of these knowledge's will be acceptable to the Board.
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You are required to accumulate 24 contact hours of continuing education each 2-year period. At least 6 contact hours of each 2-year continuing education period shall be earned by attendance at a live presentation of a
continuing education program. A contact hour is defined as not less than (50) minutes of instruction or its equivalent. A college semester credit shall be the equivalent of forty-five (45) contact hours. Generally speaking, an all day seminar would be considered six (6) contact hours. Continuing education activities which satisfy the professional
development intent of the regulations shall include, but are not limited to, college or university courses; activities conducted by professional programs or organizations which award continuing education credits; portions of technical meetings or seminars related to the technical element of the practice of landscape architecture; preparation and/or presentation of technical research papers at technical meetings; participation in the study and examination in technical subjects sponsored by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB); and participation in the preparation of the Landscape Architect Registration Examination sponsored by CLARB. Self-directed study or research may be acceptable with the prior approval of the Board. Continuing education credits obtained for the continuing education requirements of other States shall be acceptable if the credits meet the standards of Connecticut's continuing education requirement. -
The Board recognizes that presenters at professional seminars or conferences need to research the topic and prepare the lecture notes. This is a legitimate continuing education activity provided, however, that the subject matter is directed to health, safety, and welfare. A general rule is that each one-hour of lecture will be counted as six contact hours. The lecture or course must be professional in nature. Casual talks to local service organizations or garden clubs, for example, will not be given continuing education credit.
The board hopes to keep the continuing education process as simple as possible and we hope that you will view continuing education not as a chore,but as an opportunity to advance your knowledge of landscape architecture
for the good of consumers that we serve.
Should you have any questions, please contact the Board at (860) 713-6135
The following should be used as a guide to the subject matter considered by the Board of Landscape Architects as appropriate for meeting the continuing education requirements. This list was taken from "The Practice of Landscape Architecture, A Study of the Activities and Knowledge Areas for the Licensed Landscape Architect" published by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards, 1998.
(A) LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES
planning and land use law
basic construction law
governmental policies and laws that affect the use and/or development of land
development restrictions (e.g., zoning, easements, covenants, codes
construction contracts and the responsibilities
professional liability issues
the bid evaluation process, including alternates, unit prices, bidder qualifications, bonds, etc.
legal aspects of the bidding process, such as bid form, bid bond, addenda, etc.
ethical standards for professional practice
(B) INVENTORY
information sources, such as existing documentation, land surveys, land use plans, aerial surveys, zoning
sources of information on specific site uses, such as sports fields, amphitheater seating, picnic areas, loading docks, etc.
surveying practices
(C) ANALYSIS
mathematics
geology
historical patterns of land use
sociological and cultural influences on design
behavioral factors relating to design
psychological and sensory implications of landscape design
natural site conditions
floodplain management principles
stormwater management technologies
water supply and conservation technologies
characteristics of fire hazard areas
visual analysis methods and techniques
topography
hydrology
hydraulics (e.g., stormwater collection systems, pumping systems)
soils (e.g., pedology, mechanics)
D) DESIGN ISSUES
basic design principles (e.g., scale, function, balance)
aesthetic principles of landscape design
regional, urban, and community planning principles
the influences of internal and external views on land use and development (e.g., views, vistas, viewsheds)
functional relationships among program elements
the influences of transportation systems on land use and development
roadway alignment design principles
intersection and stopping site distance considerations (e.g., vision cones)
elements of vehicular and pedestrian circulation systems and their design requirements
code requirements and design principles for universal accessibility
how previous, existing, or potential uses surrounding a site affect land use and development
micro and macro climatic conditions and systems (e.g., wind, solar access)
principles of sustainability (i.e., at regional, local and site scales)
characteristics of plant material (e.g., size, shape, texture, color)
plant materials including hardiness, moisture requirements, soil requirements, etc.
landscape maintenance techniques, materials, equipment, and practices
noise attenuation and mitigation techniques
(E) CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND PROCESSES
construction methods and techniques
construction equipment and technologies
sequencing of design, approval, permitting and construction activities
methods of installation of construction materials
principles of grading and drainage
wetland creation and mitigation
materials and techniques for erosion and sedimentation control
utility systems and their design requirements
irrigations types and systems
the elements of lighting systems, including light sources and their design requirements
factors influencing selection of plant materials (e.g., availability, cost, maintenance, location, survivability, dependability)
(F) DOCUMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION
common graphic symbols
coordinate systems and layout techniques and conventions
components of specifications for a project
specification types (e.g., material, workmanship, performance, proprietary)
general and supplemental conditions, special provisions, and technical specifications
(G) DETAILS
typical construction details (e.g., material, fasteners, finishes, assemblies)
site construction materials, including availability, costs, basic characteristics and applications
site ammenities (e.g., benches, kiosks, waste receptacles)
pools, fountains, and their design requirements
playground equipment and their design requirements
decks, walls, and overhead structures
structural considerations below grade (e.g., soil bearing, footing, foundation systems)
structural considerations above grade (e.g., walls, handrails, spans, decking)
pavement design and materials
structural considerations for small structures
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION
Board of Landscape Architects
September 14, 1998
TO: Landscape Architect Licensees
State of Connecticut
FROM: Board of Landscape Architects
RE: Continuing Education
Public Act 97-174 established mandatory continuing education for maintaining a landscape architecture license in the State of Connecticut. The Department of Consumer Protection has proposed new regulations implementing this statutory requirement. We anticipate that the Regulation Review Committee of the General Assembly will approve the new regulations in October of 1998. The purpose of this memorandum is to alert you to the new requirements, and to explain what you must do to comply.
PURPOSE
The General Assembly included a continuing education requirement to the Statutes governing the practice of Landscape Architecture in an effort to promote health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Connecticut. By requiring all licensed landscape architects to be exposed to a minimal amount of pertinent technical information on an ongoing basis, there will be greater assurance that these professionals will be keeping current with the latest technology affecting their practice. The requirement for continuing education may also made it easier for Connecticut landscape architects to obtain a license by reciprocity from other jurisdictions in the future.
REQUIREMENTS
The new regulations will require each licensed landscape architect to obtain twenty four (24) continuing education units within a two-year period, the first such period ending on July 31, 2000. Six (6) of these twenty four continuing education units shall be earned by attendance at live presentations. One continuing unit (CEU) is the equivalent of one contact hour (50 minutes of instruction) of technical presentation acceptable to the Board. As a guideline, the Board will generally deem acceptable presentations on any technical aspect of the profession (not office management or business development) that relates to the general health,safety, and welfare of the public. For example, most instruction or study concerning drainage, soil erosion and sediment control, playground development, view shed analysis, ADA requirements, planting, etc. would be acceptable. A full day presentation would typically receive 6 CEU's representing the actual number of presentation hours net of time spent in registration, breaks, and other administrative aspects.
The following paragraphs from the proposed regulations provide a more detailed description of the type of continuing education which will be acceptable and the responsibilities of the licensee for keeping records.
(a) Continuing education activities which satisfy the professional development intent of this section shall include, but are
not limited to, college or university courses; activities conducted byprofessional programs or organizations which award continuing education credits; portions of technical meetings or seminars related to the technical elements of the practice of landscape architecture; preparation and/or presentation of technical research papers at technical meetings; participation in the study and examination in technical subjects sponsored by CLARB; and participation in the preparation of the LARE sponsored by CLARB. Self-directed study or research may be acceptable with the prior approval of the Board. Continuing education credits obtained for the continuing education requirements of other states shall be accepted if the credits meet the standards of this subsection.
(b) A landscape architect shall maintain a record of continuing education activates, including dates, subjects, and other appropriate documentation for a period of five years. A CLARB maintained record shall be acceptable of proof of participation when such record is submitted to the Board by CLARB on the landscape architect's behalf. In lieu of maintaining a record of activity through CLARB, a landscape architect may provide evidence of having fulfilled the continuing education requirements on forms provided by the Board. A landscape architect shall, upon request of the Department, make available documentation to prove compliance with all continuing education requirements.
As a Board, we look forward to the prospect of promoting health, safety, and welfare of the people of Connecticut through the implementation of these continuing education requirements. A copy of the new regulations will be sent to each currently licensed landscape architect once they have been adopted. If you have any questions in the interim, please do not hesitate to contact the Board Administrator, Robert M. Kuzmich, R.A., at (860) 713-6143 or robert.kuzmich@ct.gov.