LARE Exam at a Glance

What changed for LARE in 2026

• Oct 27, 2026: Other (update 2026-10-01) changed to Starting October 1, 2026, L.A.R.E. candidates must cancel both their exam registration and their appointment through the PSI portal to get a refund, and they must schedule an appointment before they can cancel. (previously Starting October 1, 2026, L.A.R.E. candidates must cancel their exam registration and appointment through the PSI portal to get a refund, and they must schedule an appointment before they can cancel.).^[7]
• Oct 27, 2026: Score release changed to Provisional feedback on test day; official results 4–6 weeks after the window closes (Winter 2026: late January 2027) (previously Provisional on test day; official 4–6 weeks after the window closes (Winter 2026: late January 2027)).^[4]
• Oct 27, 2026: Eligibility changed to Set by each jurisdiction; most let LAAB/LAAC-accredited graduates test right after graduation (previously Set by each jurisdiction; most let LAAB/LAAC-accredited graduates test right away).^[4]
• Oct 27, 2026: Retake policy changed to Retake only failed sections; usually unlimited, though some jurisdictions cap retakes (previously Retake only failed sections; credit kept for passed sections).^[1]
• Oct 26, 2026: Other (update 2026-10-08) changed to CLARB has paused its expedited transmittal service while it moves to the new CLARB Record platform; standard transmittals still take 5–7 business days. (previously CLARB has paused expedited transmittal service while it moves to the new CLARB Record platform.).^[2]
• Oct 8, 2026: CLARB has paused its expedited transmittal service while it moves to the new CLARB Record platform; standard transmittals still take 5–7 business days.^[2]
• Oct 1, 2026: Starting October 1, 2026, L.A.R.E. candidates must cancel both their exam registration and their appointment through the PSI portal to get a refund, and they must schedule an appointment before they can cancel.^[7]

What the LARE is and how it works

According to Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards, “On the L.A.R.E. scale, 650 is always the passing point, no matter which section you took.”^[3]

The LARE establishes candidate competency for professional licensure across CLARB member jurisdictions. Your passing results remain valid for your whole career across all member boards.

Administration is computer-based at PSI test centers or via PSI online proctoring. Each section provides 3 hours of exam time with 3½ hours of total seat time. The exam fee is $545 per section, per attempt. Scoring requires a scaled score of 650. Test takers receive provisional feedback on test day, while official results arrive 4–6 weeks after the exam window closes.

Eligibility rules are established by each individual jurisdiction. While most jurisdictions permit candidates with an LAAB/LAAC-accredited degree to test right after graduation, requirements vary, so check with your local board or CLARB. Under the retake policy, you retake only failed sections. Retakes are usually unlimited, though some jurisdictions cap the number of retakes. Each retake costs $545 per section, per attempt.

Testing windows occur throughout the year. For Winter 2026, registration is open now, with a deadline to register, schedule, or cancel by November 24, 2026, for testing from November 30 – December 16, 2026. Official results for Winter 2026 release in late January 2027.

Worked examples: how to reason through LARE questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: Which contract provision typically addresses the contractor's obligation to maintain a safe work environment on a landscape construction site?

1. Liquidated damages clause
2. Differing site conditions clause
3. Safety and protection clause
4. Substantial completion clause

Answer: C. Safety and protection clause

Explanation:

The safety and protection clause is correct because it explicitly obligates the contractor to maintain safe working conditions, implement hazard controls, and protect workers, the public, and adjacent properties during construction. A liquidated damages clause is incorrect because it defines predetermined financial payments owed to the owner if project completion is delayed. A differing site conditions clause is incorrect because it governs compensation and schedule adjustments when subsurface physical obstacles deviate from contract documents. A substantial completion clause is incorrect because it defines the milestone when work is adequately finished for owner occupancy. General rule: construction contracts place direct jobsite safety duties on the contractor managing daily site operations.

Example 2

Question: Which document formally transfers ownership of the project from the contractor to the owner upon completion?

1. Certificate of substantial completion
2. Final certificate for payment
3. Notice of completion and acceptance
4. Certificate of occupancy

Answer: C. Notice of completion and acceptance

Explanation:

The notice of completion and acceptance is correct because it formally documents that the project owner accepts the finished installation, assumes property custody, and relieves the builder of primary site control. A certificate of substantial completion is incorrect because it indicates work is sufficiently usable for occupancy while punch list items remain, rather than transferring final ownership. A final certificate for payment is incorrect because it authorizes release of remaining funds after billing reviews rather than conveying legal possession. A certificate of occupancy is incorrect because it represents a local building authority permit certifying code compliance for public use. General rule: distinguish administrative code permits and consultant payment approvals from formal acceptance documents that transfer legal possession.

Example 3

Question: What contour interval is most appropriate for detailed grading plans on a residential site with moderate slopes?

1. 10 feet
2. 5 feet
3. 1 foot
4. 0.5 feet

Answer: C. 1 foot

Explanation:

A 1 foot interval is correct because it offers ideal elevation detail for residential grading on moderate terrain, clearly communicating drainage slopes, swales, and finished spot grades without visual clutter. Intervals of 10 feet and 5 feet are incorrect because they are too coarse for site-scale residential design, hiding minor grade transitions and localized drainage patterns needed during construction. An interval of 0.5 feet is incorrect because it creates dense, redundant contour lines on moderate slopes, making plan drawings difficult to read unless applied to nearly flat topography. General rule: balance vertical precision against drawing clarity by using 1 foot contour intervals for detailed residential site grading.

How to use these practice tests

Begin your preparation by reviewing official CLARB candidate documentation to understand exam rules and test delivery. Next, work through targeted practice questions to identify subject areas requiring further review.

• Evaluate legal terms and site management protocols with LARE Bidding and Contract Administration and LARE Construction Documentation.
• Practice technical calculations and civil details using LARE Grading and Earthwork and LARE Drainage System Design.
• Review environmental evaluation and runoff control methods through LARE Site Inventory and Analysis and LARE Stormwater Management.
• Test mixed subject recall under timed conditions using LARE MCQ.

When answering practice questions, review every explanation to understand underlying design principles and contract rules. In the final weeks before your test window, simulate test sessions to build pacing for the 3 hours of exam time allocated per section.

Sources & last verified

1. Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards — time limit, retake policy (official source). “3 ½ hours seat time, 3 hours for exam” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
2. Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards — exam fee, retake fee, other (official source). “Section Price per attempt Planning and Design $545” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 27, 2026.
3. Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards — passing score (official source). “On the L.A.R.E. scale, 650 is always the passing point, no matter which section you took.” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
4. Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards — validity, delivery, eligibility, score release (official source). “Your results are accepted by every CLARB member jurisdiction for the rest of your career.” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
5. Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards — registration deadline, testing window (official source). “Register/schedule/cancel by November 24” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
6. Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards — registration deadline, testing window, registration opens (official source). “Register/schedule/cancel by March 10” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
7. Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards — other (official source). “Effective October 1, 2026: You must cancel your exam registration and appointment through the PSI portal. This will automatically revoke your exam authorization and process…” Verified Oct 27, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.