Nebraska Administrative Code Topic - LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
Here’s an overview of Nebraska Administrative Code Title 231 – State Board of Landscape Architects, which governs licensure and professional conduct for landscape architects in Nebraska:
📘 Structure of Title 231 (Rules & Regulations)
Title 231 comprises 12 chapters covering the following:
Chapter 1 – Administration & Definitions
Sets authority, defines terms like “Landscape Architect,” “CLARB,” “LARE,” and “Practice” (govdocs.nebraska.gov, nsbla.nebraska.gov).
Chapter 2 – Applicant Classifications
Defines application types such as initial licensure and reciprocity/comity applicants (nebraska.gov, govdocs.nebraska.gov).
Chapter 3 – Application Procedures
Details submission standards, timelines (e.g., 120 days before exam), and appeal rights .
Chapter 4 – Examinations
Specifies examination processes, eligibility, and scheduling logistics (govdocs.nebraska.gov).
Chapter 5 – Licensee Seal & Professional Conduct Code
Covers seal requirements, competence standards (e.g., reasonable care, legal compliance) (govdocs.nebraska.gov, nebraskalegislature.gov).
Chapter 6 – Continuing Education (Professional Development)
Mandates ongoing PD requirements to maintain competency .
Chapter 7 – Fees
Lists fees for application, renewal, late penalties, etc. (nebraska.gov, nebraskalegislature.gov).
Chapter 8 – Rules of Professional Conduct & Competence
Dictates ethical standards: conflicts of interest, competence, truthfulness, nondiscrimination (govdocs.nebraska.gov).
Chapter 9 – Disciplinary Process & Penalties
Details grounds for disciplinary action and penalties (regulations.justia.com).
Chapter 10 – Contested Case Procedures
Lays out hearing procedures and appeals process (nebraska.gov).
Chapter 11 – Rulemaking (Promulgation/Amendment)
Regulates how new rules are proposed, adopted, or repealed (nebraska.gov).
Chapter 12 – Declaratory Rulings
Enables the Board to issue binding interpretations on regulatory matters (nsbla.nebraska.gov).
Highlights: Key Regulatory Items
Definitions & Scope
“Landscape Architect” is defined as someone licensed based on education, experience, and/or CLARB certification (govdocs.nebraska.gov).
Professional Standards (Chapter 5 & 8)
Architects must:
Provide services competently and per local/state/federal laws (law.cornell.edu)
Only work within areas of expertise and use proper supervision/seal
Disclose conflicts of interest and refrain from unethical financial arrangements
Maintain continuing education and professional development as mandated
Enforcement & Discipline
The Board may discipline architects for issues like fraud, incompetence, unlicensed practice, legal violations, or seal misuse. Procedures for hearings are outlined with appeal rights (nebraska.gov).
Statutory Backup
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81‑8,184.02, only licensed individuals may call themselves “landscape architect” or practice the profession (codes.findlaw.com).
Exemptions
Certain roles—like employees under supervision, city planners, or nursery/gardening businesses—are not subject to licensure when not representing themselves as landscape architects .
Revisions & Effective Dates
Recent updates to these rules became effective January 10, 2021 (Title 231, Chapters 1–12) (nsbla.nebraska.gov).
The Professional Landscape Architects Act (the enabling statutes §§ 81‑8,184–208) was last amended via Legislative Bill 30, effective November 14, 2020 (nsbla.nebraska.gov).
Proposed rule changes in April 2024 suggest updates toward adopting CLARB’s Uniform Licensure Standards, set for the 2025 legislative session (nsbla.nebraska.gov).
✅ How to Access the Full Text
The official PDF of Title 231, Chapters 1–12 is downloadable from the Nebraska Secretary of State's website (nsbla.nebraska.gov).
For deep sections—like Chapter 5 competence rules—Cornell’s Legal Information Institute provides accessible text .
For statutory context, Nebraska’s Legislative website offers the full-text of § 81‑8,184.02 (nebraskalegislature.gov).
TL;DR
Title 231 sets the rules for licensure, ethical conduct, exams, fees, renewal, and disciplinary processes for landscape architects in Nebraska.
It relies on the Professional Landscape Architects Act (§§ 81‑8,184–208) passed in 1987, most recently updated in 2020.
The regulations became effective January 10, 2021, and further updates are underway to align with CLARB standards.
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