Becoming a Chartered Landscape Architect

For a professional Landscape Architect, gaining chartered status is a key milestone. In her second year of the ‘Pathway to Chartership’, Lucy, a graduate landscape architect who has been with us for 2 years, is in a good position to explain what this means and reflect on her experience.

A Chartered Landscape Architect is required to demonstrate a high level of competency and commitment to Landscape Architecture. The process of becoming Chartered is carried out through the Landscape Institute (LI) and is called the ‘Pathway to Chartership’.

To embark on Pathway you must first be a Licentiate member of the LI.  To do this, your educational experience is taken into consideration and completion of an approved degree course is required. 

It is usual for a Landscape Architect to be working for an LI registered practice when embarking on Pathway as it is a mentored experience completed with the support of a Chartered Landscape Architect.

The structured syllabus is designed to develop the skills a Chartered Landscape Architect needs for their professional life.  Sections of the syllabus include professional conduct; professional duties and liabilities; professional appointment, professional relationships, practice management, the legal system, the planning system, environmental policies, environmental control, contract law and contract administration.
These subjects could be perceived to be ‘dry’ but when applying them to live projects and work in practice they can be fascinating and key to understanding the wider context of our work.

I have found Pathway an excellent stimulus to career progression and a helpful framework to work within.  The process is supportive with regular reviews with an internal mentor and an external Pathway supervisor.  I also attend study sessions with other Pathway candidates which allows us to share knowledge and experience. 

Typically the Pathway takes 2-3 years depending on your previous experience.  I’m approaching the final stage, an oral examination with the LI which confers Chartership status.  I will be required to demonstrate knowledge gained in addition to the skills in management and professional judgement.

The Pathway has opened my eyes to the breadth of knowledge and experience required to become a competent Landscape Architect, I would recommend it to any Landscape Architects who are considering becoming Chartered.