Continuing education

(a) Each landscape architect shall meet the continuing education requirements set forth in this section as a condition of license renewal. Continuing education obtained by a landscape architect shall maintain, improve, or expand the knowledge and skills obtained prior to initial licensure, and shall develop additional knowledge and skills relevant to the practice of landscape architecture in the promotion of the health, safety, and welfare of the general public. (b) On or before July 31 of every even numbered year, each landscape architect shall attach to the license renewal application a certificate signed under penalty of false statement stating that the landscape architect has participated in not less than twenty-four (24) contact hours of continuing education activity. The certificate shall list the course name, the course provider and the date the course was taken. At least six (6) contact hours of the biennial continuing education requirement shall be earned by attendance at a live presentation of a continuing education program. A contact hour is defined as not less than fifty (50) minutes of instruction or its equivalent. A collegiate semester credit shall be the equivalent of forty-five (45) contact hours. (c) Continuing education activities which satisfy the professional development intent of this section shall include, but not be 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 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. (d) A landscape architect shall maintain a record of continuing education activities, including dates, subjects, and other appropriate documentation for a period of five years. A record maintained by CLARB or the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System of the American Society of Landscape Architects ("LA CES") shall be acceptable as proof of participation when such record is submitted to the department by CLARB or LA CES 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 department. A landscape architect shall, upon the request of the department, make available documentation to prove compliance with all continuing education requirements. (e) Failure by a landscape architect to fulfill continuing education requirements shall result in the suspension of the license to practice landscape architecture or other action authorized by law. The board or department may reinstate the license or rescind any other penalty when the continuing education requirement has been fulfilled. (f) A landscape architect shall not be required to meet the provisions of this section for the first biennium in which the landscape architect is initially licensed in this state. (g) Continuing education credits earned in any biennial continuing education period may not be carried forward into a later period for continuing education credit. (h) A landscape architect who is unable to comply with the requirements of this section due to extenuating circumstances may apply for a waiver or an extension of time to fulfill such requirements. (i) A landscape architect submitting a renewal application who has not held a license for more than two years shall provide proof that the landscape architect has completed the requirements for continuing education for each biennial period prior to the year of the renewal application. If the landscape architect cannot provide such proof, the board may authorize the department to issue a renewal license subject to the landscape architect completing such continuing education activities as required by the board within a certain time period.