{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-409.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-409.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-409.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-409.html"}],"law_id":82740,"edition_id":1,"section_id":82740,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-409","catch_line":"Practice of landscape architecture; license required","history":"1970, c. 671, \u00a7 54-17.1; 1974, c. 534; 1980, c. 757; 1982, c. 590; 1984, c. 437; 1988, c. 765; 2000, c. 990; 2006, c. 643; 2009, c. 309.","full_text":"A\n\nBeginning July 1, 2010, a person who engages in the practice of landscape architecture as defined in § 54.1-400 and who holds himself out as a landscape architect shall hold a valid license prior to engaging in such practice. Resulting site plans, plans of development, preliminary plats, drawings, technical reports, and specifications, submitted under the seal, stamp or certification of a licensed landscape architect, shall be accepted for review by local and state authorities, in connection with both public and private projects. However, no landscape architect, unless he is also licensed as a land surveyor, shall provide boundary surveys, plats or descriptions for any purpose, except in conjunction with or under the supervision of an appropriately licensed professional, who shall provide certification, as required. Landscape architects shall only engage in projects which they are qualified to undertake based on education, training, and examination and in accordance with the practice of landscape architecture as defined in § 54.1-400.\n\t\t\tAny person who (i) holds a valid certification as a landscape architect issued by the Board on June 30, 2010, and (ii) is a Virginia-certified landscape architect in good standing with the Board, shall be licensed to practice landscape architecture as of July 1, 2010.B\n\nNothing contained herein or in the definition of “practice of landscape architecture” or in the definition of “landscape architect” in § 54.1-400 shall be construed to restrict or otherwise affect the right of any architect, professional engineer, land surveyor, nurseryman, landscape designer, landscape contractor, land planner, community planner, landscape gardener, golf course designer, turf maintenance specialist, irrigation designer, horticulturist, arborist, or any other similar person from engaging in their occupation or the practice of their profession or from rendering any service in connection therewith that is not otherwise proscribed.C\n\nAny person, partnership, corporation, or other entity that is not licensed to practice landscape architecture in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and that advertises or promotes through the use of the words “landscape architecture” or any modification or derivation thereof in its name or description of its business activity in a manner that indicates or implies that it practices or offers to practice landscape architecture as defined in this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of § 54.1-111. Nothing contained herein or in the definitions of “landscape architect” or “practice of landscape architecture” in § 54.1-400 shall be construed to restrict or otherwise affect the right of any person undertaking the occupations or professions referred in subsection B of this section to engage in their occupation, or the practice of their profession, or from rendering any service in connection therewith that is not otherwise proscribed.D\n\nAny person, partnership, corporation, or other entity offering to practice landscape architecture without being registered or licensed to practice landscape architecture in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, shall be subject to the provisions of § 54.1-111. Nothing contained herein or in the definitions of “landscape architect” and “practice of landscape architecture” in § 54.1-400 shall be construed to restrict or otherwise affect the right of any person undertaking the occupations or professions referenced in subsection B of this section to engage in their occupation, or the practice of their profession, or from rendering any service in connection therewith that is not otherwise proscribed.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":296409,"text":"Beginning July 1, 2010, a person who engages in the practice of landscape architecture as defined in § 54.1-400 and who holds himself out as a landscape architect shall hold a valid license prior to engaging in such practice. Resulting site plans, plans of development, preliminary plats, drawings, technical reports, and specifications, submitted under the seal, stamp or certification of a licensed landscape architect, shall be accepted for review by local and state authorities, in connection with both public and private projects. However, no landscape architect, unless he is also licensed as a land surveyor, shall provide boundary surveys, plats or descriptions for any purpose, except in conjunction with or under the supervision of an appropriately licensed professional, who shall provide certification, as required. Landscape architects shall only engage in projects which they are qualified to undertake based on education, training, and examination and in accordance with the practice of landscape architecture as defined in § 54.1-400.\n\t\t\tAny person who (i) holds a valid certification as a landscape architect issued by the Board on June 30, 2010, and (ii) is a Virginia-certified landscape architect in good standing with the Board, shall be licensed to practice landscape architecture as of July 1, 2010.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":296410,"text":"Nothing contained herein or in the definition of “practice of landscape architecture” or in the definition of “landscape architect” in § 54.1-400 shall be construed to restrict or otherwise affect the right of any architect, professional engineer, land surveyor, nurseryman, landscape designer, landscape contractor, land planner, community planner, landscape gardener, golf course designer, turf maintenance specialist, irrigation designer, horticulturist, arborist, or any other similar person from engaging in their occupation or the practice of their profession or from rendering any service in connection therewith that is not otherwise proscribed.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":296411,"text":"Any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity that is not licensed to practice landscape architecture in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and that advertises or promotes through the use of the words “landscape architecture” or any modification or derivation thereof in its name or description of its business activity in a manner that indicates or implies that it practices or offers to practice landscape architecture as defined in this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of § 54.1-111. Nothing contained herein or in the definitions of “landscape architect” or “practice of landscape architecture” in § 54.1-400 shall be construed to restrict or otherwise affect the right of any person undertaking the occupations or professions referred in subsection B of this section to engage in their occupation, or the practice of their profession, or from rendering any service in connection therewith that is not otherwise proscribed.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":296412,"text":"Any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity offering to practice landscape architecture without being registered or licensed to practice landscape architecture in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, shall be subject to the provisions of § 54.1-111. Nothing contained herein or in the definitions of “landscape architect” and “practice of landscape architecture” in § 54.1-400 shall be construed to restrict or otherwise affect the right of any person undertaking the occupations or professions referenced in subsection B of this section to engage in their occupation, or the practice of their profession, or from rendering any service in connection therewith that is not otherwise proscribed.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14278,"edition_id":1,"name":"Architects, Engineers, Surveyors and Landscape Architects","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13996,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:35","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:35","permalink":{"id":240555,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14278,"identifier":"1","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1","url":"\/54.1\/II\/4\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13996,"edition_id":1,"name":"Architects, Engineers, Surveyors, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12755,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:33","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:33","permalink":{"id":240553,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13996,"identifier":"4","token":"54.1\/II\/4","url":"\/54.1\/II\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12755,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and Boards Within the Department","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12754,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239415,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12755,"identifier":"II","token":"54.1\/II","url":"\/54.1\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12754,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12754,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":76379,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-400","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/54.1-400\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-400","metadata":false},{"id":55543,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-401","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/54.1-401\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-401","metadata":false},{"id":55882,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-402","catch_line":"Further exemptions from license requirements for architects, professional engineers, and land surveyors","url":"\/54.1-402\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-402","metadata":false},{"id":76750,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-402.1","catch_line":"State and local government employees; license exemptions for persons employed prior to March 8, 1992","url":"\/54.1-402.1\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-402.1","metadata":false},{"id":63753,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-402.2","catch_line":"Cease and desist orders for unlicensed activity; civil penalty","url":"\/54.1-402.2\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-402.2","metadata":false},{"id":67074,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-403","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Board members and officers; quorum","url":"\/54.1-403\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-403","metadata":false},{"id":77321,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-404","catch_line":"Regulations; code of professional practice and conduct","url":"\/54.1-404\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-404","metadata":false},{"id":56833,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-404.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-404.1\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-404.1","metadata":false},{"id":59827,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-404.2","catch_line":"Continuing education","url":"\/54.1-404.2\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-404.2","metadata":false},{"id":69257,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-405","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Examinations and issuance of licenses and certificates","url":"\/54.1-405\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-405","metadata":false},{"id":57598,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-406","catch_line":"License required","url":"\/54.1-406\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-406","metadata":false},{"id":73143,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-406.1","catch_line":"Alternative to education requirement for licensure of architects","url":"\/54.1-406.1\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-406.1","metadata":false},{"id":79139,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-407","catch_line":"Land surveying","url":"\/54.1-407\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-407","metadata":false},{"id":62825,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-408","catch_line":"Practice of land surveying; subdivisions","url":"\/54.1-408\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-408","metadata":false},{"id":82740,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-409","catch_line":"Practice of landscape architecture; license required","url":"\/54.1-409\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-409","metadata":false},{"id":83060,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-410","catch_line":"Other building laws not affected; duties of public officials","url":"\/54.1-410\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-410","metadata":false},{"id":69869,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-410.1","catch_line":"Prerequisites for obtaining business license","url":"\/54.1-410.1\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-410.1","metadata":false},{"id":63798,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-411","catch_line":"Organization for practice; registration","url":"\/54.1-411\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-411","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62825,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-408","catch_line":"Practice of land surveying; subdivisions","url":"\/54.1-408\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-408","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":83060,"structure_id":14278,"section_number":"54.1-410","catch_line":"Other building laws not affected; duties of public officials","url":"\/54.1-410\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-410","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-409\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1970. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 671 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1970 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1974, chapter 534; in 1980, chapter 757; in 1982, chapter 590; in 1984, chapter 437; in 1988, chapter 765; in 2000, chapter 990<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 643<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 309<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":70430,"section_number":"54.1-111","catch_line":"Unlawful acts; prosecution; proceedings in equity; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-111\/"},{"id":76379,"section_number":"54.1-400","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-400\/"}],"permalink":{"id":240613,"object_type":"law","relational_id":82740,"identifier":"54.1-409","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-409","url":"\/54.1-409\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-409\/","token":"54.1\/II\/4\/1\/54.1-409","dublin_core":{"Title":"Practice of landscape architecture; license required","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-409","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Beginning July 1, 2010, a person who engages in the practice of landscape architecture<\/span> as defined in § 54.1-400<\/a> and who holds himself out as a landscape architect<\/span> shall hold a valid license prior to engaging in such practice. Resulting site plans, plans of development, preliminary plats, drawings, technical reports, and specifications, submitted under the seal, stamp or certification of a licensed landscape architect<\/span>, shall be accepted for review by local and state authorities, in connection with both public and private projects. However, no landscape architect<\/span>, unless he is also licensed as a land surveyor<\/span>, shall provide boundary surveys, plats or descriptions for any purpose, except in conjunction with or under the supervision of an appropriately licensed professional, who shall provide certification, as required. Landscape architects<\/span> shall only engage in projects which they are qualified to undertake based on education, training, and examination and in accordance with the practice of landscape architecture<\/span> as defined in § 54.1-400<\/a>.\n\t\t\tAny person who (i) holds a valid certification as a landscape architect<\/span> issued by the Board<\/span> on June 30, 2010, and (ii) is a Virginia-certified landscape architect<\/span> in good standing with the Board<\/span>, shall be licensed to practice landscape architecture as of July 1, 2010. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Nothing contained herein or in the definition of “practice of landscape architecture<\/span>” or in the definition of “landscape architect<\/span>” in § 54.1-400<\/a> shall be construed to restrict or otherwise affect the right of any architect, professional engineer<\/span>, land surveyor<\/span>, nurseryman, landscape designer, landscape contractor, land planner, community planner, landscape gardener, golf course designer, turf maintenance specialist, irrigation designer, horticulturist, arborist, or any other similar person from engaging in their occupation or the practice of their profession or from rendering any service in connection therewith that is not otherwise proscribed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity that is not licensed to practice landscape architecture in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and that advertises or promotes through the use of the words “landscape architecture” or any modification or derivation thereof in its name or description of its business activity in a manner that indicates or implies that it practices or offers to practice landscape architecture as defined in this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of § 54.1-111<\/a>. Nothing contained herein or in the definitions of “landscape architect<\/span>” or “practice of landscape architecture<\/span>” in § 54.1-400<\/a> shall be construed to restrict or otherwise affect the right of any person undertaking the occupations or professions referred in subsection B of this section to engage in their occupation, or the practice of their profession, or from rendering any service in connection therewith that is not otherwise proscribed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity offering to practice landscape architecture without being registered or licensed to practice landscape architecture in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, shall be subject to the provisions of § 54.1-111<\/a>. Nothing contained herein or in the definitions of “landscape architect<\/span>” and “practice of landscape architecture<\/span>” in § 54.1-400<\/a> shall be construed to restrict or otherwise affect the right of any person undertaking the occupations or professions referenced in subsection B of this section to engage in their occupation, or the practice of their profession, or from rendering any service in connection therewith that is not otherwise proscribed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPRACTICE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE; LICENSE REQUIRED (\u00a7 54.1-409)\n\nA. Beginning July 1, 2010, a person who engages in the practice of landscape\narchitecture as defined in § 54.1-400 and who holds himself out as a\nlandscape architect shall hold a valid license prior to engaging in such\npractice. Resulting site plans, plans of development, preliminary plats,\ndrawings, technical reports, and specifications, submitted under the seal, stamp\nor certification of a licensed landscape architect, shall be accepted for review\nby local and state authorities, in connection with both public and private\nprojects. However, no landscape architect, unless he is also licensed as a land\nsurveyor, shall provide boundary surveys, plats or descriptions for any purpose,\nexcept in conjunction with or under the supervision of an appropriately licensed\nprofessional, who shall provide certification, as required. Landscape architects\nshall only engage in projects which they are qualified to undertake based on\neducation, training, and examination and in accordance with the practice of\nlandscape architecture as defined in § 54.1-400.\n\t\t\tAny person who (i) holds a valid certification as a landscape architect\nissued by the Board on June 30, 2010, and (ii) is a Virginia-certified landscape\narchitect in good standing with the Board, shall be licensed to practice\nlandscape architecture as of July 1, 2010.\n\nB. Nothing contained herein or in the definition of “practice of landscape\narchitecture” or in the definition of “landscape architect” in\n§ 54.1-400 shall be construed to restrict or otherwise affect the right of\nany architect, professional engineer, land surveyor, nurseryman, landscape\ndesigner, landscape contractor, land planner, community planner, landscape\ngardener, golf course designer, turf maintenance specialist, irrigation\ndesigner, horticulturist, arborist, or any other similar person from engaging in\ntheir occupation or the practice of their profession or from rendering any\nservice in connection therewith that is not otherwise proscribed.\n\nC. Any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity that is not licensed to\npractice landscape architecture in accordance with the provisions of this\nchapter and that advertises or promotes through the use of the words\n“landscape architecture” or any modification or derivation thereof\nin its name or description of its business activity in a manner that indicates\nor implies that it practices or offers to practice landscape architecture as\ndefined in this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of § 54.1-111.\nNothing contained herein or in the definitions of “landscape\narchitect” or “practice of landscape architecture” in §\n54.1-400 shall be construed to restrict or otherwise affect the right of any\nperson undertaking the occupations or professions referred in subsection B of\nthis section to engage in their occupation, or the practice of their profession,\nor from rendering any service in connection therewith that is not otherwise\nproscribed.\n\nD. Any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity offering to practice\nlandscape architecture without being registered or licensed to practice\nlandscape architecture in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, shall\nbe subject to the provisions of § 54.1-111. Nothing contained herein or in\nthe definitions of “landscape architect” and “practice of\nlandscape architecture” in § 54.1-400 shall be construed to restrict\nor otherwise affect the right of any person undertaking the occupations or\nprofessions referenced in subsection B of this section to engage in their\noccupation, or the practice of their profession, or from rendering any service\nin connection therewith that is not otherwise proscribed.\n\nHISTORY: 1970, c. 671, \u00a7 54-17.1; 1974, c. 534; 1980, c. 757; 1982, c. 590;\n1984, c. 437; 1988, c. 765; 2000, c. 990; 2006, c. 643; 2009, c. 309.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}