State Board of Professional Landscape Architects - Revisions

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*sb0256*

SENATE BILL 256
C3 6lr0754
CF HB 485
By: Senator Gallion Senators Gallion and Simonaire
Introduced and read first time: January 16, 2026
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: February 16, 2026

CHAPTER ______

AN ACT concerning 1

State Board of Professional Landscape Architects – Revisions 2

FOR the purpose of altering the name of the State Board of Examiners of Landscape 3
Architects to be the State Board of Professional Landscape Architects; altering the 4
defined term “licensed landscape architects” to be “professional landscape 5
architects”; altering c ertain qualifications for membership on the Board; altering 6
certain duties of the Board; altering certain educational and experience 7
requirements of applicants for a license to practice landscape architecture; altering 8
certain examination administration re quirements; altering certain term, renewal, 9
and fee payment requirements for certain licenses or permits issued by the Board; 10
authorizing the Board to issue a certain emeritus status license; and generally 11
relating to the State Board of Professional Landscape Architects. 12

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 13
Article – Business Occupations and Professions 14
Section 9–101(a) and 9–206.1(a) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2018 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 17

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18
Article – Business Occupations and Professions 19
Section 9–101(b), (h), (i), and (j); 9–201, 9–202(a) and (b), 9–206, and 9–206.1(b) and 20
(d) to be under the amended subtitle “Subtitle 2. State Board of Professional 21
Landscape Architects”; an d 9 –301 through 9 –305, 9 –308, 9 –309(f), 9 –310, 22
2 SENATE BILL 256

9–311(b), 9–314(b), 9–402(a) and (b), 9–403, 9–404(b), 9–407, 9–410, 9–414(a), 1
9–501, 9–602 through 9–604, and 9–701 2
Annotated Code of Maryland 3
(2018 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 4

BY repealing 5
Article – Business Occupations and Professions 6
Section 9–101(g), 9–305.1, 9–309(a), and 9–408(a) 7
Annotated Code of Maryland 8
(2018 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 9

BY adding to 10
Article – Business Occupations and Professions 11
Section 9–101(j), 9–309(a), 9–309.1, and 9–408(a) 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2018 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 14

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 15
Article – Business Regulation 16
Section 2–106.1(a)(3) and 2–108(a)(17) 17
Annotated Code of Maryland 18
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 19

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 20
Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 21
Section 3–2C–01(c)(3) 22
Annotated Code of Maryland 23
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 24

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 25
Article – Environment 26
Section 4–308(a) 27
Annotated Code of Maryland 28
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 29

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 30
Article – Natural Resources 31
Section 5–1604(a) and 5–1605(b) 32
Annotated Code of Maryland 33
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 34

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 35
Article – Public Utilities 36
Section 12–101(a) 37
Annotated Code of Maryland 38
(2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 39

SENATE BILL 256 3

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 1
Article – Public Utilities 2
Section 12–101(i) 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 5

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 6
Article – State Government 7
Section 8–403(34) 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 10

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 11
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 12

Article – Business Occupations and Professions 13

9–101. 14

(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 15

(b) “Board” means the State Board of [Examiners of] PROFESSIONAL Landscape 16
Architects. 17

[(g) “Licensed landscape architect” means a landscape architect who is licensed by 18
the Board to practice landscape architecture.] 19

[(h)] (G) “Permit” means a permit issued by the Board to allow a partnership or 20
corporation to operate a business through which an individual may practice landscape 21
architecture. 22

[(i)] (H) “Permit fee” means, as applicable, the fee paid in connection with the 23
issuance and renewal of a permit. 24

[(j)] (I) (1) “Practice landscape architecture” means: 25

(i) to provide any service or creative work in the analysis or design 26
of land and natural resources that requires training and experience in the application of 27
the biological, physical, mathematical, and social sciences; and 28

(ii) to perform design coordination of a project or portion of a project 29
provided that the [licensed] PROFESSIONAL landscape architect holds a current license 30
issued by the Board and has adequate education and experience in, and understanding of, 31
the project or portion of the project being coordinated. 32

(2) “Practice landscape architecture” includes: 33
4 SENATE BILL 256

(i) consultation, research, analysis, assessment, selection, and 1
allocation of land and natural resources; 2

(ii) development of graphic, written, digital, and other appropriate 3
criteria to govern the planning and design of land development and construction programs, 4
including: 5

1. preparation, review, and analysis of master pla ns, site 6
plans, and land development plans; 7

2. reconnaissance, planning, design, and preparation of 8
construction documents; 9

3. construction, observation, administration, and project 10
management; 11

4. preservation, restoration, conservation, rec lamation, 12
rehabilitation, and management of land and natural resources; 13

5. preparation of feasibility and site selection studies, 14
environmental studies, and cost estimate reports; and 15

6. design and analysis of grading and drainage, irrigation, 16
erosion and sediment control systems, and pedestrian and vehicular circulation systems; 17
and 18

(iii) in conjunction with site plan preparation, the performance of the 19
following: 20

1. determining a grade; 21

2. determining drainage; and 22

3. preparing and designing stormwater drainage systems 23
provided that the preparation and design: 24

A. are in accordance with design manuals, details, and 25
standards accepted by the State or local authorities; and 26

B. do not require a hydraulic or struct ural design of system 27
components. 28

(J) “PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAP E ARCHITECT ” MEANS A LANDSCAPE 29
ARCHITECT WHO IS LIC ENSED BY THE BOARD TO PRACTICE LAN DSCAPE 30
ARCHITECTURE. 31

SENATE BILL 256 5

Subtitle 2. State Board of [Examiners of] PROFESSIONAL Landscape Architects. 1

9–201. 2

There is a State Board of [Examiners of] PROFESSIONAL Landscape Architects in 3
the Department. 4

9–202. 5

(a) (1) The Board consists of [5] FIVE members. 6

(2) Of the [5] FIVE members of the Board: 7

(i) [3] THREE shall be [licensed] PROFESSIONAL landscape 8
architects; and 9

(ii) [2] TWO shall be consumer members. 10

(3) The Governor shall appoint the members with the advice of the 11
Secretary and the advice and consent of the Senate. 12

(b) [Each] OF THE PROFESSIONAL landscape architect [member] MEMBERS: 13

(1) TWO MEMBERS shall be [a licensed ] PROFESSIONAL landscape 14
[architect] ARCHITECTS who [has] HAVE practiced landscape architecture in the State for 15
at least 10 YEARS, WITH 5 years OF EXPERIENCE AS RESPONSIBLE CHARGE; AND 16

(2) ONE MEMBER SHALL BE A PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT 17
WHO HAS PRACTICED LA NDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE IN THE STATE FOR AT LEAST 5 18
YEARS. 19

9–206. 20

(a) In addition to any powers set forth elsewhere, the Board may adopt: 21

(1) any regulation to carry out this title; and 22

(2) a seal. 23

(b) In addition to any duties set forth elsewhere, the Board shall keep a record of 24
its proceedings. 25

(c) (1) [With the advice of the established landscape architect associations, 26
the] THE Board shall adopt, by regulation, a code of ethics for practicing l andscape 27
architecture. 28

6 SENATE BILL 256

(2) The Board shall distribute a copy of the code of ethics: 1

(i) to each applicant for a license; and 2

(ii) on each renewal of a license, to each licensee. 3

(3) In addition to complying with the publication requirements of Title 10, 4
Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article, the Board shall distribute a copy of any 5
amendment to the code of ethics to each licensee. 6

9–206.1. 7

(a) In this section, “code official” means a public official responsible for the review 8
of building permit documents or the issuance of building permits. 9

(b) The Board shall: 10

(1) keep a list of the names and mailing addresses of all licensees; 11

(2) provide each code official with: 12

(I) a copy of the list annually; and 13

(II) ACCESS TO THE LIST UPON REQUEST; AND 14

(3) provide any other person who makes a request with a copy of the list at 15
a reasonable fee set by the Board. 16

(d) The Board shall distribute: 17

(1) to each applicant for a license and each code official, a copy of the 18
Maryland PROFESSIONAL Landscape Architects Act and the Board’s [rules and ] 19
regulations; 20

(2) on each renewal of a license, to each licensee, a copy of any amendments 21
to the Maryland PROFESSIONAL Landscape Architects Act and the Board’s [rules and] 22
regulations that took effect during the 2–year period ending on the date of renewal; and 23

(3) to each code official, a copy of any amendments to the Maryland 24
PROFESSIONAL Landscape Architects Act and the Board’s [rules and] regulations. 25

9–301. 26

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this title, an individual shall be licensed by 27
the Board before the individual may practice landscape architecture in the State. 28

SENATE BILL 256 7

(b) This section does not apply to: 1

(1) an individual who practices landscape architecture while performing 2
official duties as an employee of the federal government; 3

(2) an individual while practicing landscape architecture under the 4
supervision of a [licensed] PROFESSIONAL landscape architect, if the individual does not 5
assume responsible charge of design or supervision; or 6

(3) an individual while practicing landscape architecture as an employee 7
of a person who is authorized to practice landscape architecture, if the employee does not 8
assume responsible charge of design or supervision. 9

9–302. 10

(a) To qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the 11
requirements of this section. 12

(b) An applicant shall be at least 18 years old. 13

(c) An applicant shall meet the educational and experience requirements under 14
§ 9–303 of this subtitle. 15

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the applicant shall pass the 16
examination [given] REQUIRED by the Board under this subtitle. 17

9–303. 18

(a) Before an applicant takes the examination [given] REQUIRED by the Board, 19
the applicant shall qualify under this section by meeting the educational and experience 20
requirements set forth in subsection (b), (c), (d), or (e) of this section. 21

(b) An applicant qualifies under this section if the applicant: 22

(1) has [been] graduated from a college or school of landscape architecture 23
that holds accredited status from the national Landscape Architectural Accreditation 24
Board; and 25

(2) has at least 2 years of work experience in landscape architecture that 26
is: 27

(i) under the responsible charge of a [licensed] PROFESSIONAL 28
landscape architect or other [authorized individual] LICENSED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL; 29
and 30

(ii) otherwise satisfactory to the Board. 31
8 SENATE BILL 256

(c) An applicant qualifies under this section if the applicant: 1

(1) has [been] graduated on completion of at least a 4 –year curriculum in 2
a design –related discipline from a college or university that is accredited by, or is a 3
constituent unit of an institution accredited by, the [Middle States Association of Colleges 4
and Schools] COUNCIL FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ACCREDITATION or the equivalent 5
regional accrediting association of other regional areas; and 6

(2) has at least 4 years of work experience in landscape architecture that 7
is: 8

(i) under the responsible charg e of a [licensed] PROFESSIONAL 9
landscape architect or other [authorized individual] LICENSED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL; 10
and 11

(ii) otherwise satisfactory to the Board. 12

(d) An applicant qualifies under this section if the applicant: 13

(1) has [been] graduated on completion of at least a 4 –year curriculum in 14
a nondesign–related discipline from a college or university that is accredited by, or is a 15
constituent unit of an institution accredited by, the [Middle States Association of Colleges 16
and Schools] COUNCIL FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ACCREDITATION or the equivalent 17
regional accrediting association of other regional areas; and 18

(2) has at least 6 years of practical work experience in landscape 19
architecture that is: 20

(i) under the responsible charge of a [licensed] PROFESSIONAL 21
landscape architect or other [authorized individual] LICENSED DESIGN PROFESSIONAL; 22
and 23

(ii) otherwise satisfactory to the Board. 24

(e) (1) An applicant qualifies under this section if the applicant: 25

(i) is a high school graduate or the equivalent; and 26

(ii) has at least 8 years of practical work experience in landscape 27
architecture that is: 28

1. under the responsible charge of a [licensed] 29
PROFESSIONAL landscape architect or other [authorized individual] LICENSED DESIGN 30
PROFESSIONAL; and 31

SENATE BILL 256 9

2. otherwise satisfactory to the Board. 1

(2) The Board may count each full year of study at a college or school of 2
landscape architecture that meets the criteria set forth in subsection (b) of this section as 3
one of the years of the work experience required under this subsection. 4

9–304. 5

An applicant for a license shall: 6

(1) submit to the Board an application on the form that the Board provides; 7
and 8

(2) pay to the Board [or the Board’s designee: 9

(i)] a nonrefundable application fee [set by the Board; and 10

(ii) an examination fee set by the Board in an amount not to exceed 11
the cost of the required examination]. 12

9–305. 13

(a) [Except as otherwise provided in § 9 –305.1 of this subtitle, an] AN applicant 14
who otherwise qualifies for a license is entitled to be examined as provided in this section. 15

(b) The Board PERIODICALLY shall [give written examinations ] OFFER THE 16
EXAMINATIONS REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION to qualified applicants at least once a 17
year at the time and place that the Board determines. 18

(c) [The] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (D)(2)(I) OF THIS SECTION, 19
THE Board shall give each qualified applicant notice of the time and place of examination. 20

(D) (1) THE BOARD MAY USE A TESTI NG SERVICE TO ADMINIS TER THE 21
EXAMINATIONS UNDER THIS SECTION. 22

(2) IF THE BOARD USES A TESTING SERVICE TO ADMINISTE R 23
EXAMINATIONS UNDER T HIS SECTION , THE TESTING SERVICE , SUBJECT TO THE 24
REQUIREMENTS SET BY THE BOARD, MAY: 25

(I) SET THE TIME AND PLACE OF EXAMINATIONS; 26

(II) SEND QUALIFIED APPLI CANTS NOTICE OF THE TIME AND 27
PLACE OF EXAMINATIONS; AND 28

10 SENATE BILL 256

(III) PROVIDE ANY OTHER INFORMATION THAT THE BOARD MAY 1
REQUIRE THE TESTING SERVICE TO PROVIDE. 2

(3) IF NECESSARY TO DETER MINE THE COMPETENCY OF 3
APPLICANTS, THE BOARD MAY USE A TESTI NG SERVICE TO ADMINI STER 4
SUPPLEMENTAL EXAMINATIONS WITH ADDITIONAL SUBJECTS. 5

[(d) (1)] (E) The Board shall determine, by regulation, the subjects, scope, 6
and form of and the passing score for examinations given under this title. 7

[(2) The Board shall structure the examination to test the competency of an 8
applicant to plan, design, and supervise the installation of landscape projects. 9

(3) The Board may supplement a written examination given under this 10
section with an oral examination.] 11

[9–305.1. 12

(a) The Board may use a testing service to administer the examinations given 13
under this title. 14

(b) If the Board uses a testing service under this subsection, the testing service, 15
subject to the requirements set by the Board, may: 16

(1) set the time and place of examinations; 17

(2) give qualified applicants notice of the time and place of examinations; 18
and 19

(3) furnish any other information that the Board may require the testing 20
service to provide.] 21

9–308. 22

(a) While a license is in effect, it authorizes the licensee to practice landscape 23
architecture. 24

(b) A [licensed] PROFESSIONAL landscape architect is not authorized to practice 25
architecture, engineering, or land surveying. 26

9–309. 27

[(a) Unless a license is renewed for a 2–year term as provided in this section, the 28
license expires on the first June 30 that comes: 29

(1) after the effective date of the license; and 30
SENATE BILL 256 11

(2) in an even–numbered year.] 1

(A) A LICENSE IS VALID FOR A 2–YEAR TERM FROM ISSUA NCE OF THE 2
LICENSE AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION. 3

(f) (1) The Board shall adopt regulations[: 4

(1)] to require a licensee to demonstrate continuing professional 5
competency by completing at least 24 hours of professional development activities as a 6
condition of renewal of a license under this section[; and 7

(2) in accordance with the following: 8

(i) the continuing professional competency requirement does not 9
apply to the first renewal of a license; 10

(ii) if a license expires on or before September 30, 2015, a licensee is 11
not required to fulfill the continuing professional competency requirement; 12

(iii) if a license expires between October 1, 2015, and September 30, 13
2016, a licensee is required to fulfill 50% of the continuing professional competency 14
requirement as provided in regulations adopted by the Board under this subsection; and 15

(iv) if a license expires on or after October 1, 2016, a licensee is 16
required to fulfill the full continuing professional competency requirement as provided in 17
regulations adopted by the Board under this subsection]. 18

(2) THE CONTINUING PROFES SIONAL COMPETENCY RE QUIREMENT 19
UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION D OES NOT APPLY TO THE FIRST 20
RENEWAL OF A LICENSE. 21

9–309.1. 22

(A) THE BOARD MAY ISSUE AN EM ERITUS STATUS LICENS E TO AN 23
INDIVIDUAL WHO SUBMITS TO THE BOARD AN APPLICATION FOR EMERITUS STATUS 24
ON THE FORM REQUIRED BY THE BOARD. 25

(B) THE BOARD MAY ISSUE AN EM ERITUS STATUS LICENS E IF THE 26
INDIVIDUAL: 27

(1) (I) IS CURRENTLY LICENSE D BY THE BOARD TO PRACTICE 28
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE; OR 29

12 SENATE BILL 256

(II) WAS PREVIOUSLY LICEN SED BY THE BOARD TO PRACTICE 1
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTU RE AND ALLOWED THE L ICENSE TO EXPIRE BUT IS 2
OTHERWISE ENTITLED TO RENEWAL UNDER § 9–309 OF THIS SUBTITLE AT THE TIME 3
OF EXPIRATION; 4

(2) HAS BEEN A PROFESSIO NAL LANDSCAPE ARCHIT ECT FOR AT 5
LEAST 25 YEARS, OF WHICH 5 YEARS HAVE BEEN IN THE STATE; 6

(3) IS NOT THE SUBJECT O F ANY PENDING DISCIP LINARY ACTION 7
RELATED TO THE PRACT ICE OF LANDSCAPE ARC HITECTURE IN THE STATE OR 8
ANOTHER STATE; AND 9

(4) PAYS TO THE BOARD A FEE SET BY THE BOARD. 10

(C) THE HOLDER OF AN EMERITUS STATUS LICENSE UNDER THIS SECTION: 11

(1) MAY USE THE DESIGNAT ION OF “LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT 12
EMERITUS”; AND 13

(2) MAY NOT ENGAGE IN TH E PRACTICE OF LANDSC APE 14
ARCHITECTURE. 15

(D) THE BOARD MAY REINSTATE T HE LICENSE TO PRACTI CE LANDSCAPE 16
ARCHITECTURE OF THE HOLDER OF AN EMERITU S STATUS LICENSE IF THE 17
INDIVIDUAL: 18

(1) SUBMITS TO THE BOARD AN APPLICATION FOR REINSTATEMENT 19
ON THE FORM PROVIDED BY THE BOARD; 20

(2) MEETS THE CONTINUIN G PROFESSIONAL COMPE TENCY 21
REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL OF A LICENSE UNDER § 9–309 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 22

(3) IS NOT THE SUBJECT O F ANY PENDING DISCIP LINARY ACTION 23
RELATED TO THE PRACT ICE OF LANDSCAPE ARC HITECTURE IN THE STATE OR 24
ANOTHER STATE; AND 25

(4) PAYS TO THE BOARD A REINSTATEMENT FEE SET BY THE BOARD. 26

9–310. 27

(a) (1) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 9–312 of this subtitle, the Board, 28
on the affirmative vote of a majority of its members then serving, may deny a license to any 29
applicant, reprimand any licensee, or suspend or revoke a license if: 30

SENATE BILL 256 13

(i) the [applicant or licensee ] INDIVIDUAL AGAINST W HOM THE 1
ACTION IS CONTEMPLATED fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a 2
license for the applicant or licensee or for another; 3

(ii) the [applicant or licensee ] INDIVIDUAL AGAINST W HOM THE 4
ACTION IS CONTEMPLATED fraudulently or deceptively uses a license; 5

(iii) under the laws of the United States or of any state, the [applicant 6
or licensee] INDIVIDUAL AGAINST WHOM THE ACTION IS CONTEMPLATED is convicted 7
of: 8

1. a felony; or 9

2. a misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and 10
qualification of the applicant or licensee to practice landscape architecture; 11

(iv) the [applicant or licensee ] INDIVIDUAL AGAINST W HOM THE 12
ACTION IS CONTEMPLAT ED is guilty of gross negligence, incompetence, or misconduct 13
while practicing landscape architecture; 14

(v) the [applicant or licensee ] INDIVIDUAL AGAINST W HOM THE 15
ACTION IS CONTEMPLAT ED has had a license to practice landscape architecture in 16
another state revoked or suspended by the other state for a cause that would justify 17
revocation or suspension under this title, except for the failure to pay a license fee; 18

(vi) the [applicant or licensee ] INDIVIDUAL AGAINST W HOM THE 19
ACTION IS CONTEMPLATED violates any regulation adopted by the Board; or 20

(vii) the [applicant or licensee ] INDIVIDUAL AGAINST W HOM THE 21
ACTION IS CONTEMPLATED violates any provision of this title. 22

(2) (i) Instead of or in addition to reprimanding [a licensee ] AN 23
INDIVIDUAL AGAINST W HOM THE ACTION IS CO NTEMPLATED or suspending or 24
revoking a license under this subsection, the Board may impose a penalty not exceeding 25
$5,000 for each violation. 26

(ii) To determine the amount of the penalty imposed under this 27
subsection, the Board shall consider: 28

1. the seriousness of the violation; 29

2. the harm caused by the violation; 30

3. the good faith of the licensee; and 31

4. any history of previous violations by the licensee. 32
14 SENATE BILL 256

(3) The Board shall pay any penalty collected under this subsection into 1
the General Fund of the State. 2

(b) The Board shall consider the following facts in the granting, denial, renewal, 3
suspension, or revocation of a license or the reprimand of [a licensee ] AN INDIVIDUAL 4
AGAINST WHOM THE ACT ION IS CONTEMPLATED when an applicant or licensee is 5
convicted of a felony or misdemeanor described in subsection (a)(1)(iii) of this section: 6

(1) the nature of the crime; 7

(2) the relationship of the crime to the activities authorized by the license; 8

(3) with respect to a felony, the relevance of the conviction to the fitness 9
and qualification of the [applicant or licensee] INDIVIDUAL AGAINST WHOM THE ACTION 10
IS CONTEMPLATED to practice landscape architecture; 11

(4) the length of time since the conviction; and 12

(5) the behavior and activities of the [applicant or licensee] INDIVIDUAL 13
AGAINST WHOM THE ACTION IS CONTEMPLATED before and after the conviction. 14

9–311. 15

(b) (1) A complaint shall: 16

(i) be in writing; 17

(ii) state specifically the facts on which the complaint is based; and 18

(iii) be submitted to [the Secretary of] the Board. 19

(2) If the complaint is made by any person other than a member of the 20
Board, the complaint shall be made under oath by the person who submits the complaint. 21

9–314. 22

(b) (1) If an individual has failed to renew a license for any reason and then 23
applies to the Board for reinstatement more than 2 years after the license has expired, the 24
Board may: 25

(i) require the individual to reapply for a license in the same manner 26
that an applicant applies for an original license under this subtitle; or 27

(ii) subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, reinstate the license. 28

SENATE BILL 256 15

(2) The Board may reinstate a licen se under paragraph (1)(ii) of this 1
subsection, if the individual: 2

(i) meets the renewal requirements of § 9 –309 of this subtitle , 3
INCLUDING THE PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS THAT WOULD HAVE 4
BEEN REQUIRED FOR RENEWAL OF THE LICENSE; 5

(ii) if r equired by the Board, states reasons why reinstatement 6
should be granted; and 7

(iii) pays to the Board a reinstatement fee set by the Board. 8

9–402. 9

(a) (1) Subject to the provisions of this subtitle, a [licensed] PROFESSIONAL 10
landscape architect may practice landscape architecture for others through: 11

(i) a corporation as an officer, employee, or agent of the corporation; 12

(ii) a partnership as a partner, an employee, or an agent of the 13
partnership; or 14

(iii) a limited liability company as a member, an employee, or an 15
agent of the limited liability company. 16

(2) Subject to the provisions of this subtitle, a corporation, partnership, or 17
limited liability company may provide landscape architectural services through a [licensed] 18
PROFESSIONAL landscape architect. 19

(b) A [licensed] PROFESSIONAL landscape architect who practices landscape 20
architecture through a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company under this 21
subtitle is subject to all of the provisions of this title that relate t o practicing landscape 22
architecture. 23

9–403. 24

[(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a ] A corporation, 25
partnership, or limited liability company shall hold a permit issued by the Board before the 26
corporation, partnership, or limited liability company may operate a business through 27
which landscape architecture is practiced. 28

[(b) A corporation , partnership, or limited liability company may provide 29
landscape architectural services for itself or for an affiliated corporation, partnership, or 30
limited liability company without a permit issued by the Board.] 31

9–404. 32
16 SENATE BILL 256

(b) (1) A corporation, partnership, or limited liability company shall appoint 1
at least one person in responsible charge of the landscape architectural services performed 2
or offered to be performed through the corporation, partnership, or limited liability 3
company. 4

(2) A person in responsible charge shall be: 5

(i) in direct control of landscape architectural services performed or 6
offered to be performed through the corporation, partnership, or limited liability company; 7

(ii) in a position to act on behalf of, and be res ponsible for, the 8
corporation, partnership, or limited liability company in matters related to the practice of 9
landscape architecture; and 10

(iii) a [licensed] PROFESSIONAL landscape architect in good 11
standing WHO IS LICENSED BY THE BOARD. 12

(3) A licensee may not be designated as a person in responsible charge for 13
more than one corporation, partnership, or limited liability company that provides or offers 14
to provide landscape architectural services without the prior approval of the Board. 15

9–407. 16

(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section and while a permit is in effect, it 17
authorizes the holder to: 18

(1) operate a business through which a [licensed] PROFESSIONAL 19
landscape architect practices landscape architecture; and 20

(2) represent to the publ ic that the business provides the services of a 21
[licensed] PROFESSIONAL landscape architect. 22

(b) A permit authorizes the holder to provide a service that constitutes practicing 23
landscape architecture only if the service is performed by an individual who is licensed or 24
otherwise authorized to practice landscape architecture under this title. 25

9–408. 26

[(a) Unless a permit is renewed for a 2 –year term as provided in this section, the 27
permit expires on the first June 30 that comes: 28

(1) after the effective date of the permit; and 29

(2) in an even–numbered year.] 30

SENATE BILL 256 17

(A) A PERMIT IS VALID FOR A 2–YEAR TERM FROM ISSUA NCE OF THE 1
PERMIT AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION. 2

9–410. 3

(a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 9–411 of this subtitle, the Board, on the 4
affirmative vote of a majority of its members then serving, may deny a permit to any 5
applicant, reprimand a permit holder, or suspend or revoke a permit if: 6

(1) the [applicant or permit holder ] INDIVIDUAL AGAINST W HOM THE 7
ACTION IS CONTEMPLATED fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a 8
permit; or 9

(2) the [permit holder ] INDIVIDUAL AGAINST W HOM THE ACTION IS 10
CONTEMPLATED fraudulently or deceptively uses a permit. 11

(b) (1) In addition to a sanction imposed under subsection (a) of this section, 12
the Board may impose a penalty not exceeding $5,000 for: 13

(i) each violation for which a denial, reprimand, suspension, or 14
revocation was imposed under subsection (a) of this section; and 15

(ii) each failure to meet or continue to meet the qu alifications or 16
requirements set forth in this subtitle. 17

(2) To determine the amount of the penalty imposed under this subsection, 18
the Board shall consider: 19

(i) the seriousness of the violation; 20

(ii) the harm caused by the violation; 21

(iii) the good faith of the permit holder or the applicant; and 22

(iv) any history of previous violations by the [permit holder or the 23
applicant] INDIVIDUAL AGAINST WHOM THE ACTION IS CONTEMPLATED. 24

(c) The Board shall pay any penalty collected under subsection (b) of this section 25
into the General Fund of the State. 26

9–414. 27

(a) Subject to the provisions of this section AND REGULATIONS ADOP TED BY 28
THE BOARD, the Board may reinstate: 29

(1) a permit that has been revoked; or 30
18 SENATE BILL 256

(2) before fulfillment of the conditions of the suspension, a permit that has 1
been suspended. 2

9–501. 3

Before a [licensed] PROFESSIONAL landscape architect issues to a client or submits 4
to a public authority any final drawing, plan, specification, report, or other document, the 5
[licensed] PROFESSIONAL landscape architect who prepared or approved the document 6
shall sign, seal, and date the document. 7

9–602. 8

Except for a [licensed] PROFESSIONAL landscape architect who operates a business 9
as a sole practitioner, a person may not operate a business through which landscape 10
architecture is practiced unless: 11

(1) the business is a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company; 12
and 13

(2) the corporation, partnership, or limited liability company holds a 14
permit issued by the Board. 15

9–603. 16

Unless authorized under this title to practice landscape architecture, a person may 17
not represent to the public, by use of a title, including “landscape architect” , 18
“PROFESSIONAL LANDSCA PE ARCHITECT ”, or “licensed landscape architect”, by 19
description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the person is authorized 20
to practice landscape architecture in the State. 21

9–604. 22

(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section and unless a person holds a permit 23
issued by the Board, the person may not represent to the public, by the use of a title, 24
including “landscape architects”, “PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS”, “licensed 25
landscape architects”, or “registered landscape architects”, by the use of the term 26
“landscape architecture”, by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, 27
that the person holds a permit or otherwise is authorized to operate a business through 28
which landscape architecture is practiced in the State. 29

(b) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a [licensed] PROFESSIONAL 30
landscape architect who operates the business as a sole practitioner. 31

9–701. 32

SENATE BILL 256 19

This title may be cited as the “Maryland PROFESSIONAL Landscape Architects Act”. 1

Article – Business Regulation 2

2–106.1. 3

(a) This section applies to the following occupational and professional licensing 4
boards: 5

(3) the State Board of [Examiners of ] PROFESSIONAL Landscape 6
Architects established under Title 9 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article; 7

2–108. 8

(a) The following units are in the Department: 9

(17) the State Board of [Examiners of ] PROFESSIONAL Landscape 10
Architects. 11

Article – Courts and Judicial Proceedings 12

3–2C–01. 13

(c) “Licensed professional” means: 14

(3) A PROFESSIONAL landscape architect licensed under Title 9 of the 15
Business Occupations and Professions Article; 16

Article – Environment 17

4–308. 18

(a) Anne Arundel County or the City of Annapolis may issue a grading or building 19
permit within the Severn River Watershed only after the developer submits a plan of 20
development approved by the soil conservation district. If the development plan contains 21
any septic or private sewer facility, the Department of the E nvironment shall approve it 22
only if the facility will not contribute in any way to pollution of the Severn River. The 23
developer shall submit a certificate from a professional engineer, a professional land 24
surveyor, or a [licensed] PROFESSIONAL landscape architect stating that the developer’s 25
plan to control silt and erosion is adequate to contain the silt and erosion on the property 26
covered by the plan. Also, the developer shall submit another certificate stating that any 27
construction or develo pment will be done according to the plan. A subdivision developer 28
shall obtain approval of the plan at the time of approving and recording of the subdivision 29
plat. In addition to any other penalty provided in this subtitle, if a developer violates his 30
certificate, then every permit issued pursuant to the certificate is void. 31

Article – Natural Resources 32
20 SENATE BILL 256

5–1604. 1

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b)(2) and (3) of this section, after December 2
31, 1992, or after the date on which a local program has been adopted under § 5 –1603 of 3
this subtitle, whichever occurs first, a person making application for subdivision or grading 4
or sediment control permits on areas greater than 40,000 square feet shall submit a forest 5
stand delineation for the entire site prepar ed by a licensed forester, [licensed] 6
PROFESSIONAL landscape architect, or other qualified professionals that may be approved 7
by the State or a local authority in the manner required by the approved program. 8

5–1605. 9

(b) The forest conservation plan shall be developed by a licensed forester, 10
[licensed] PROFESSIONAL landscape architect, or other qualified professionals that may 11
be approved by the State or a local authority. 12

Article – Public Utilities 13

12–101. 14

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 15

(i) “Designer” means a licensed architect, professional engineer, professional 16
land surveyor, or [licensed] PROFESSIONAL landscape architect, as those terms are 17
defined in the Business Occupations and Professions Article, who prepares a drawing for a 18
project that may require excavation or demolition. 19

Article – State Government 20

8–403. 21

This subtitle applies only to the following governmental activities and units: 22

(34) Landscape Architects, State Board of [Examiners of] PROFESSIONAL 23
(§ 9–201 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article); 24

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 25
October 1, 2026. 26