Landscape Architect Business Cards for Licensed LA ASLA and Landscape Architecture Professionals

Licensed landscape architects are the design and planning professionals who create the outdoor environments where people live, work, play, and recover — designing parks and recreation facilities, urban streetscapes, campus landscapes, residential gardens, ecological restoration projects, transportation corridors, waterfronts, and the public realm that defines the quality of human settlements. Practicing at the intersection of art, ecology, engineering, and planning, landscape architects shape the outdoor spaces that buffer cities from climate extremes, protect ecosystems, support mental and physical health, and define the identity of places.

Landscape Architecture Credentials

RLA — Registered Landscape Architect

The primary professional licensure designation for landscape architects:

• Licensure is state-regulated: All 50 states and DC plus several territories have landscape architect licensure laws; "landscape architect" is a protected title in all licensed states
• Education:
• BLA (Bachelor of Landscape Architecture) — 4-year accredited undergraduate program; offered by approximately 70 LAAB-accredited programs
• MLA (Master of Landscape Architecture) — 3-year graduate program for those with non-LA undergraduate degrees; or 2-year post-professional MLA for those with BLA; offered at approximately 60+ programs
• Programs must be accredited by LAAB (Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board)
• Examination:
• LARE (Landscape Architect Registration Examination) — a multi-section national examination administered by CLARB (Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards); sections cover project and construction management, inventory and analysis, design, grading/drainage/stormwater, planting design, and construction documentation
• Experience:
• CLARB requires 2–4 years of supervised experience (LARPac program) before full LARE eligibility in most states
• State license: After completing LARE and experience requirements + state application, receive RLA designation

Card notation:

• "Jane Smith, RLA" — registered landscape architect
• "Jane Smith, MLA, RLA" — degree + license
• "Licensed Landscape Architect" as title
• State license number (optional but verifiable)

FASLA — Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects

Honorary fellowship in ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects):

• Awarded to ASLA members who have made significant contributions to the profession
• Elected by the ASLA Board of Trustees
• Less than 4% of ASLA members hold Fellow status
• Card notation: "RLA, FASLA" or "RLA, FASLA, AICP" (with additional credentials)

AICP — American Institute of Certified Planners

Some landscape architects also hold planning credentials:

• Awarded by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), the certification arm of APA (American Planning Association)
• Requires planning experience + AICP examination
• Relevant for landscape architects who practice urban planning, site planning, or environmental planning
• Card notation: "RLA, AICP"

LEED Credentials

Many landscape architects hold LEED credentials through USGBC (US Green Building Council):

• LEED AP BD+C (Building Design + Construction) — most common for design professionals
• LEED AP ND (Neighborhood Development) — for planning and urban design specialists
• LEED Green Associate — foundational LEED credential
• Card notation: "RLA, LEED AP" or "RLA, LEED AP BD+C"

SITES AP — Sustainable Sites Initiative

SITES (Sustainable Sites Initiative) is a sustainability rating system specifically for landscape and land development projects:

• Administered by GBCI (Green Business Certification Inc.)
• SITES AP (Accredited Professional) — demonstrates knowledge of SITES rating system
• Increasingly relevant as SITES adoption grows in sustainable landscape projects
• Card notation: "RLA, SITES AP"

Practice Areas in Landscape Architecture

Residential Design

Garden design and residential landscape:

• Private residential garden design
• Pool and outdoor living area design
• Entry garden and curb appeal
• Masterplan for larger residential properties
• Historic estate restoration

Scale range: From small urban yard redesigns to multi-acre estate landscapes

Client relationship: Direct client relationship; often involves significant lifestyle conversation; aesthetic is primary; budget is varied

Urban Design and Public Space

• Public park design
• Urban plaza and pedestrian streetscape design
• Waterfront and riverwalk development
• Urban trail and greenway systems
• Pocket parks and parklets
• Streetscape improvement programs

Campus Design

• University and college campus landscape master planning
• Hospital and healthcare campus grounds
• Corporate campus design
• School and K-12 grounds design

Planning and Environmental

• Green infrastructure and stormwater management (bioswales, rain gardens, permeable paving)
• Urban heat island mitigation
• Ecological restoration (wetland, prairie, riparian corridor)
• Habitat restoration
• Environmental site assessment and planning

Transportation Landscape

• Highway corridor beautification
• Interchange landscape design
• Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure landscape
• Sound wall design

Parks and Recreation Planning

• Park system master planning for municipalities
• Athletic field and recreation facility design
• Community park design
• Trail system planning and design

High-Rise and Urban Roof/Terrace

• Green roof design (extensive and intensive)
• Podium deck gardens
• Rooftop terrace design for commercial and residential buildings

Card Design for Landscape Architects

Communicating the Profession

Landscape architecture is relatively unknown as a distinct profession (many people confuse it with architecture or with lawn care). Cards may benefit from a brief descriptor:

• "Licensed Landscape Architect — Ecological Design | Urban Park Planning"
• "Landscape Architecture | Site Planning | Garden Design"
• "Landscape Architect | LEED AP | Green Infrastructure"

Visual Identity

Landscape architects often develop strong visual brands that reflect their design aesthetic:

• Nature-inspired color palette: Sage green, forest green, slate, warm gray, earth tones
• ASLA member: ASLA logo may be used by members; check usage guidelines
• Photography: A stunning project photo on the back of the card is perhaps the most powerful portfolio element available on a small format
• Clean, architectural aesthetic: Many LA firms use graphic design that mirrors contemporary architecture firms — clean, minimal, precise

Front/Back Use

Back panel options:

1. Project photography — single stunning landscape project image; portfolio in miniature
2. Practice area summary — residential, campus, urban design, park planning
3. Firm description — "Full-service landscape architecture from concept through construction administration"
4. ASLA logo + credentials — credential reinforcement + professional membership

Checklist

• [ ] Name + RLA designation
• [ ] MLA or BLA (if desired in credential string)
• [ ] FASLA (if fellow)
• [ ] LEED AP or SITES AP (if earned)
• [ ] AICP (if planning credential earned)
• [ ] "Licensed Landscape Architect" title
• [ ] Practice specialty / design focus (1–3 words)
• [ ] Firm name
• [ ] Phone
• [ ] Email
• [ ] Website with portfolio gallery
• [ ] Project photo on back (highly recommended)
• [ ] ASLA membership notation
• [ ] State license number (optional)