FAQ: Future Changes to Full Member Category

What is changing in OALA Policies?

OALA will transition back to a single active Full member status (with Seal).

Who is affected by the change?

Current and future Intern members of the OALA must complete all sections of the L.A.R.E. to apply for Full Membership.

What happens to current Full Members – Certificate?

Current Full Members – Certificate will continue as a legacy status. There will be no change to their use of title.

What is the final date for new applicants to use the Full Member – Certificate option?

The last opportunity to apply under the Full Member – Certificate will be the March 2027 Examining Board meeting.

What application pathway should prospective members use after March 2027?

Following the March 2027 Examining Board meeting, members will only be eligible to apply to become a Full member once they have completed all sections of the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.).

When will the Examining Board meet to review applications?

The Examining Board reviews applications six times per year, with upcoming meetings scheduled as follows:

Applications for Full Member – Certificate will be reviewed

• September 2026
• November 2026
• January 2027
• March 2027

Applications for Full Member must have completed all sections of the L.A.R.E.

• May 2027
• June 2027

When can I take the exams and how do I register?

The L.A.R.E. is managed and administered through the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB).

• Summer 2026 Exam Period: July 27-12, 2026
  • The deadline to register is July 22.
• Winter 2026 Exam Period: November 30-December 16
  • The deadline to register is November 24.

What supports are available to assist OALA members in completing the L.A.R.E.?

• CLARB provides many resources for exam candidates on their website.  
• OALA volunteers and staff continue to work to provide additional resources.
  • Members will find links to webinars, and support materials, and to register for the OALA Intern-led study Google group on the OALA website L.A.R.E. page.
  • OALA also has a library with all the recommended books. Members may come to the office to borrow up to three books at a time or email [email protected] to check availability or request that books be mailed to them.
  • OALA has worked with CLARB and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) to offer access to additional webinars.
  • Staff send regular emails to all potential OALA candidates. Upcoming webinars are listed on the OALA Events page on the website.
• For specific registration or resource questions, OALA members may contact staff at [email protected]

Context for the policy update

Introduction of the Certificate-only status to respond to challenges in 2006
The Full Member-Certificate status was introduced in 2006 to improve member retention when there were concerns about the ability of the profession to continue in Ontario. The status permitted those who had completed the mentored experience and Independent Course of Study portion of the Professional Development Program (PDP) as well as any three of five sections of the Landscape Architect Registration Exam (L.A.R.E.) to use the title landscape architect in Ontario. Member with this status were not granted use the OALA seal.

OALA 2022-2026 Strategic Plan
OALA’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan goal of Proactively protecting the public through regulation, led to the review of options to support OALA’s primary mandate to regulate the title landscape architect and to elevate professional standards in alignment with its core values of public interest and excellence. As part of this work, Council established the Certificate Only Task Force (COTF). Council set incremental goals each year in the Annual Business Plans and provided progress updates in the Annual Reports.

Certificate Only Task Force (COTF)
The COTF was struck in 2022. The Task Force’s work included auditing data from the 2006 implementation of the membership status, reviewing current challenges to the profession, benchmarking against other North American regulatory bodies and all CSLA component organizations, and conducting a member survey. The COTF used this information to complete a detailed analysis which it reviewed with the Examining Board and the Registration and Professional Practice Standing Committee (RaPP). RaPP presented the recommendation to Council.

2026 Council approval
At its June 2026 meeting, Council approved the recommendation to transition back to a single active Full Member status.

Is there a plan to review the Full Member – Certificate category?

Yes, Council has approved a Phase II of the Certificate Only Task Force’s (COTF) work beginning in 2027 to assess options for those in the legacy status group.

Who should members or applicants contact with questions about the changes?

• Members may contact the office for any general questions: [email protected]
• Members with specific questions or who want to discuss their specific path in detail may contact the registrar at: [email protected]