Renew

Renewing Your License

License renewals are valid for a period of two years. Renewal forms must be postmarked no later than December 31 to avoid a late payment fee. Licensees with last names beginning with A through L will have their license expire in even-numbered years (ex: 2022, 2024). Those with last names beginning with letters M through Z will have their license expire at the end of each odd-numbered year (ex: 2023, 2025).

Notices are sent to all Nebraska professional landscape architects no later than October of the year the license expires. If you do not receive a renewal notice or have had a change of address, you should contact the Board's office. Licensees licensed during the current calendar year are also required to renew their license by December 31, no matter when the license was issued.

All licensees must complete twenty-four (24) hours of professional development hours (PDH) every biennial renewal period. Logs and certificates are not required to be submitted unless you have received a notice you have been selected for a PDH audit (See Audits below for more information). The PDH requirements are outlined in Chapter 6 of Title 231 of the Nebraska Administrative Code.

Newly licensed landscape architects are exempt from the PDH requirement for their initial renewal period.

Renewal Process

  • Complete and mark any changes on the form and mail to the Nebraska State Board of Landscape Architects with the applicable fee no later than December 31.
  • A receipt will be mailed once your payment has been received, the affidavit reviewed for completion, and you have not been selected for a PDH audit.

A license may be renewed up to a year after expiration with late fees. After one year, a new application and fee will be required, along with meeting the licensing requirements in place at the time the application is submitted to reinstate the license.

Note: if you are coming to the NSBLA office to pay a renewal fee, you must have a check or the exact amount to be paid. The NSBLA office does not accept credit payments or have the ability to make changes.

Professional Development (PDH) Requirements

Beginning with licenses expiring December 31, 2022, all licensees, unless this is your first renewal, are required to complete twenty-four (24) hours of PDH on a biennial basis as outlined in Chapter 6 of Title 231 NAC.

Below are some key points to keep in mind when selecting a course for PDH hours:

  • The Board has final authority with respect to the approval of courses and credits and does not pre-approve courses.
  • The course should cover professional development for the purpose of keeping apprised of advancements and new developments in the professional service areas as defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-8,184(5) or ethics.
  • A maximum of six (6) PDH may be reported as self-study. Self-study activities are defined in Board Rule 6.4 as reading professional journals, periodicals, or professional-oriented books; and visiting sites for observation of landscape architecture projects, research projects, ecological or land restoration projects, and natural environmental areas.
  • One PDH is equivalent to at least 50 minutes of instruction;
  • One International Association for Continuing Education Training (IACET) continuing education unit (CEU) is equivalent to 10 PDH;
  • One semester credit hour of formal education is equivalent to 45 PDHS; and
  • One quarter credit hour of formal education is equivalent to 30 PDHs.

For assistance in finding PDH offerings, the organizations listed on the Links of Interest page may be able to assist you. If you have any questions about license renewals or PDH requirements, please contact us.

Exemptions and Waivers

Professional landscape architects may be exempt from the PDH requirement for one of the following reasons:

  • Licensees who have received or reinstated their license for their first renewal period.
  • Licensees serving on active duty in the armed forces of the US or any state for a period of time exceeding 120 days in each calendar year of the renewal period;
  • Licensees serving on active duty in the armed forces of the US or any state for a period of time exceeding 120 days in only one calendar year are exempt from obtaining half the required PDH.
    • ​Supporting military orders must be furnished to the Board prior to a military exception being approved.
  • Licensees experiencing physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances as reviewed and approved by the Board. Supporting documentation must be furnished to the Board prior to a medical exemption being reviewed and approved.
  • The Board may, at its discretion, waive the PDH requirement for any licensee.

Audits

The Board has established a number of licensees to be selected at random for an audit of their professional development hours (PDH). The selection of licensees typically occurs in October. Licensees will be notified if they have been selected for an audit with their renewal notice.

Licensees selected for an audit must successfully complete the audit in order to have their license renewed. If the audit is not successfully completed by the license expiration date, the individual will not be authorized to practice in Nebraska unless and until the audit is successfully completed and the license renewed.

If you are selected for an audit, you will need to submit:

  • A log of PDH credits claimed for the biennial renewal period; and
  • Attendance verification records, such as completion certificates or other information documenting evidence of attendance; or
  • Records/transcripts maintained by CLARB, LA CES, ASLA, or other professional organizations.

Once received, the documentation will be forwarded to a board member for review and approval. If the approver requests additional information, the licensee will be contacted.

If any hours are disallowed, the licensee will be granted a period of time, as determined by the Board, to substantiate the original claim or to earn additional hours to meet the minimum requirement. PDH used to satisfy a deficiency may not be used to meet the PDH requirement for the next biennial period.

Recordkeeping

Maintenance of records used to support PDH is the responsibility of the licensee and may be requested by the Board for audit verification purposes. Please do not send records to the Board unless requested for an audit. Required records include, but are not limited to:

  • A log showing the type of activity claimed, sponsoring organization, location, duration, the instructor's or speaker's name, and PDH earned;
  • Attendance verification records in the form of completion certificates, or other documents supporting evidence of attendance; or
  • Records related to professional development maintained by CLARB, LA CES, ASLA, or other professional organizations.

If you have questions regarding renewals or PDH requirements, please contact our office.

Photo Courtesy of joelsartore.com