Georgia Landscaping Licensing Law

Georgia Code · 12 sections

The following is the full text of Georgia’s landscaping licensing law statutes as published in the Georgia Code. For the official version, see the Georgia Legislature.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 121-3-.06 Statewide Low-Voltage Contractor License

Georgia Administrative Code

Department 121. STATE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LICENSING BOARD

Chapter 121-3. APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 24, 2026

Rule 121-3-.06. Statewide Low-Voltage Contractor License

(1)

Statewide

Class LV-A low-voltage contractor licenses are restricted to alarm and general

system low-voltage contracting. Statewide Class LV-T low voltage contractors

licenses are restricted to telecommunication and general system low-voltage

contracting. Statewide Class LV-G low voltage contractor licenses are

restricted to general system low-voltage contracting. Statewide Class LV-U

low-voltage licenses are unrestricted.

(2)

General low-voltage systems mean any

electrical systems, other than alarm or telecommunication systems, involving

low-voltage wiring, as defined in Code Section

43-14-2(10.3), including, but not

limited to stand-alone intercom systems and call alert systems (audio or

visual); distribution wiring for alarm systems and telecommunications systems

including local area network systems; sound systems; public address systems;

the low voltage side of energy management systems; antenna systems and

satellite dish systems, except CATV systems that are exempted in Code Section

43-14-13(i);

irrigation system wiring; and low voltage lighting.

(3)

To obtain a statewide Class LV-A, Class

LV-T, Class LV-U, or Class LV-G contractor license, a person must submit a

completed application, meet the prerequisite experience requirements, obtain a

score of seventy (70) on the appropriate examination, and pay the required

fees.

(4)

To qualify to take the

examination, applicants for statewide low-voltage contractor license must have

a minimum of one (1) year of experience in low-voltage wiring in the license

category for which the applicant is applying. Completion of courses in

electronics through a school of engineering technology or a technical trade

school will be credited as experience equivalent to the actual instructional

time up to a maximum of six (6) months.

Cite as Ga. Comp. R.

& Regs. R. 121-3-.06

Authority: O.C.G.A.

§§ 43-14-2,

43-14-5,

43-14-6.

History. Original Rule entitled "Fees" was filed as Emergency Rule

121-3-1-0.3-.06 on July 28, 1980;

effective July 22,

1980, the date of adoption, to remain in effect for a period of

120 days or until the effective date of a permanent Rule covering the same

subject matter superseding this Emergency Rule as specified by the

Agency.

Amended: Emergency Rule 121-3-1-0.3-.06 repealed by

Emergency Rule 121-3-1-0.9. Filed September 29,

1980; effective September

25, 1980, the date of adoption, to remain in effect for a

period of 120 days or until the effective date of a permanent Rule covering the

same subject matter superseding this Emergency Rule, as specified by the

Agency. (Emergency Rule 121-3-1-0.9-.06 expired January 22, 1981.) (By filing

of July 30, 1981, Chapter 121-3-1 was renumbered as 121-3; effective

August 19,

1981.)

Adopted: New Rule entitled "Statewide Low-Voltage

Contractor License" (i.e., Rule

121-2-.04 renumbered as Rule

121-3-.06). F. Feb. 27, 2025; eff.

Mar. 19,

2025.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r 310-10-.01

A contractor, as defined by Section 43-23-17 paragraph (a)(1) of the law governing the practice of Landscape Architects in Georgia, may charge a fee for the purpose of consultation regarding the proper use of plants including the preparation of a plan delineating the use of plants provided that said plan does not impact the public safety, health, or welfare. However, any plan prepared shall be limited to the use by the same contractor for the sole purpose of installing said plants.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r 310-2-.01

(1) An application for licensure as a Landscape Architect by examination shall be submitted on a form provided by the Board and may be received at any time during regular business hours at the office of the Board. (a) Each applicant sitting for the examination must obtain written approval from the Board prior to taking any portion (written and/or computer based) of any examination offering that occurs at any time during the year. Scores obtained by an applicant from an examination for which there was not prior written approval by the Board will not be accepted by the Board for the purpose of licensure.

(2) An examination/application fee shall accompany the application.

(3) All portions of the application must be completed and the Board reserves the right to require the applicant to furnish proof of the statements made therein. Failure to supply additional evidence within the dates prescribed by the Board, or failure to appear before the Board, if requested, may be considered just and sufficient cause for denial of the application as an incomplete application.

(4) The Board reserves the right to retain any and all documents submitted.

(5) The Board may require evidence to support the adequacy of the training required. Successive periods of employment of less than 10 weeks may not be considered as part of a training described on the application.

(6) In order to be acceptable to the Board, the 18 months of training required in O.C.G.A. 43-23-7 as a prerequisite for the examination must be in the actual full-time practice of landscape architecture under the direct supervision of a registered landscape architect. Exceptions to the supervision requirements provided for in this paragraph will be considered by the Board on a case by case basis. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide adequate documentation to show evidence of having met the training requirement provided for in this paragraph. Full-time is defined as a minimum of 40 hours worked per week. In order for part-time work to fulfill the training requirement, 36 months of training with a minimum of 20 hours worked per week is required.

(7) Applicants who hold a Master of Landscape Architecture degree or a Master of Science degree in landscape architecture but who do not hold a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree or a Bachelor of Science degree in landscape architecture, must complete the training requirements provided for in O.C.G.A. 43-23-7 as a prerequisite for the examination.

(8) The Board or its designated provider will provide reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The written request for an accommodation by an individual with a disability must be submitted to the Board office with the application along with appropriate documentation, as indicated in the Request for Disability Accommodation Guidelines.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r 310-2-.03

(1) Examinations shall be those examinations prepared by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) and an examination prepared by or on behalf of the Georgia State Board of Landscape Architects covering information related to the practice of landscape architecture in the State of Georgia.

(2) The "Landscape Architectural Registration Examination (LARE)" and the "Georgia Component" shall be the examination provided for in O.C.G.A. 43-23-7(c) .

(3) Each applicant sitting for the examination must obtain written approval from the Board prior to taking any portion (written and/or computer based) of any examination offering that occurs at any time during the year.

(4) The examination format may be administered via computer-based and/or written and graphic portions as determined by the Board.

(5) The Examination may consist of the following six (6) sections: (a) Project and Construction Administration (b) Inventory, Analysis and Program Development (c) Site Design (d) Design and Construction Documentation (e) Grading, Drainage and Stormwater Management (f) Georgia Component - Georgia Laws, Rules, Regulations and Ecosystem of Georgia Preservation, Protection, Enhancement and Modification.

(6) The six (6) sections of the examination may cover, but not be limited to, the following topics: (a) Environmental systems and principles (b) Life safety and security principles (c) Plant materials (d) Planning and design principles (e) Architectural principles (f) Engineering principles (g) Structural considerations (h) Geology and soil science (i) Principles of grading, and drainage, and stormwater system design (j) Erosion, sedimentation, and pollution control (k) Drafting, surveying, and mapping principles (l) Assessing existing and built characteristics of sites, areas and regions (m) Construction details, methods and techniques (n) Water issues, including use, quality, quantity (o) Irrigation systems (p) Ethical standards for professional practice.

(7) The applicant is required to pass all portions of the examination.

(8) The Georgia Component prepared by or on behalf of the Board shall be given at least once each calendar year. The date, time, and place of the examination shall be determined by the Board.

(9) The minimum passing score of each part of the examination shall be established by the Board with a recommendation from CLARB and the Professional Licensing Boards Examination Division.

(10) An applicant receiving a passing grade on one or more subjects on the examination shall be given credit for those subjects passed.

(11) All applicants shall be notified in writing of the results of the examination.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r 310-4-.01

(1) An applicant eligible for registration to practice Landscape Architecture in Georgia shall be notified by the Board of his eligibility.

(2) Upon payment of the initial registration fee, the Board shall issue a certificate of registration to the Landscape Architect.

(3) The certificate of registration shall indicate the date of registration and the registration number of the Landscape Architect.

(4) A duplicate certificate may be issued by the Board if the original certificate is lost or damaged. A request for a duplicate certificate shall be submitted to the Board in writing together with a fee for the duplicate certificate.

(5) A suspended, revoked, or expired certificate shall be surrendered to the Board upon demand by the Board.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r 310-4-.02

(1) All registrations shall expire on December 31st of each even numbered year and shall be biennially renewable.

(2) Without a current registration it is unlawful to use the title "landscape architect" or practice landscape architecture.

(3) Every application for renewal of a landscape architect registration shall be accompanied by a renewal fee and a statement from the registrant affirming completion of the continuing education requirements provided for in Chapter 310-9.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r 310-5-.01

(1) Applicants applying for a temporary license shall submit evidence of holding a current license as a landscape architect in another jurisdiction.

(2) Applicants applying for a temporary license shall submit a plat or legal description of the project for which the license is requested together with an outline of the services to be provided by the Landscape Architect.

(3) Applicants applying for a temporary license shall provide evidence of having met the continuing education requirements as provided for in Chapter 310-9.

(4) Temporary licenses are renewable annually for the life of the project not to exceed two years. Only one temporary license shall be issued to an individual Landscape Architect.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r 310-7-.01

(1) Each registered landscape architect shall, upon receipt of a certificate of registration, obtain a seal of the design authorized by the Board, bearing the registrant's name, certificate number, and the legend "Registered Landscape Architect."

(2) Drawings, specifications, and other documents issued by a registrant shall be stamped or sealed and countersigned by the registrant . A registrant shall not stamp or seal, or allow any other person to stamp or seal any document after the certificate of the registrant named thereon has expired, or has been revoked, or during the period of any suspension imposed by the Board.

(3) A landscape architect shall not affix, or permit to be affixed, his name or seal to any drawing, specification, or other document which was not prepared by him or under his personal supervision. No registrant shall affix his seal to any drawings, specification, or other document unless he has assumed the responsibility for the accuracy of the work involved.

(4) A holder of a Temporary Permit shall meet all the requirements of this section.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r 310-8-.01

Landscape architectural practice by firms, partnerships, corporations, and similar organizations is permissible so long as:

(a) Such practice is performed under the personal direction and authority of a Georgia registered landscape architect.

(b) Before undertaking to practice landscape architecture or being held out that it is engaged in the practice, any firm, partnership, corporation or similar organization shall file with the Board a Certificate of Organization containing all the information therein specified and such additional information as the Board may require. A fee of the amount established by the Board may be charged for the Certificate of Organization.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r 310-9-.01

(1) Beginning with applications for renewal of registrations which expire on December 31, 1996, a registered landscape architect must have completed 12 hours of acceptable continuing education during the two-year period immediately preceding each biennial renewal date as a condition for registration renewal.

(2) An applicant for registration renewal who has been initially registered in Georgia as a registered landscape architect for one year, but less than two, at the date of registration expiration must have completed six hours of acceptable continuing education during the period between initial registration and the expiration date as a condition for registration renewal.

(3) An applicant for license renewal who has been initially licensed in Georgia as a registered landscape architect for less than one year at the date of registration expiration will not be required to complete any hours of continuing education prior to that first registration expiration date as a condition for license renewal.

(4) All applicants for biennial registration renewal will report having completed the continuing education required in this section as part of the application for registration renewal.

(5) Failure to comply with the provisions of this section will result in non-renewal of the landscape architect registration. Registered landscape architects whose registrations have expired for non-renewal are prohibited from identifying themselves as registered landscape architects and practicing landscape architecture.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r 310-9-.04

(1) Courses or programs offered by institutions of higher learning, specialty societies, professional organizations and government agencies will be considered acceptable provided that they are developed and conducted by qualified persons, provide the registrant with evidence of attendance or satisfactory completion, and consist of subject matter which contributes directly to the professional competence of a registrant in the practice of landscape architecture.

(2) Correspondence Courses. Correspondence courses and independent study programs which meet the criteria provided in (1) above are permitted if the course provides for interaction between the participant and instructor or administrator. This usually takes the form of periodic examinations and must be documented.

(3) Academic Courses. University and college courses offered in a degree program which meet the criteria provided in (1) above are permitted so long as the course is not taken to meet the education requirements for registration as a landscape architect.

(4) Independent Research and Publications. Credit may be awarded for published articles and books provided they contribute to the professional competence of the applicant. Credit for preparation of such publications may be given on a self-declaration basis up to 50% of the total hours required. In exceptional circumstances an applicant may request additional credit by submitting the article(s) or book(s) to the Board with an explanation of the circumstances which justify a greater credit.

(5) Service to the Profession and/or Public Service. Rendering service to the profession and/or the public through appointment, election or volunteerism on city/county/state/national commissions or boards, professional societies, councils or committees will be considered acceptable provided the positions held and activities conducted consistently relate to issues considered relative to the practice of landscape architecture. Tasks include, but are not limited to: registration examination grading and question writing; advocacy; public awareness; policy, etc. Documentation must be retained and submitted verifying length of service, position/title, description and function of entity, meeting dates and agenda. Credit for such service may not exceed 4 contact hours per renewal cycle.

O.C.G.A. § 43-14-13

(a) This chapter shall apply to all installations, alterations, and repairs of plumbing, air-conditioning and heating, or electrical or low-voltage wiring or utility systems within or on public or private buildings, structures, or premises except as otherwise provided in this Code section.

(b) Any person who holds a license issued under this chapter may engage in the business of plumbing, electrical contracting, conditioned air contracting, low-voltage contracting, or utility contracting but only as prescribed by the license, throughout the state; and except as provided in Code Section 43-14-12, no municipality or county may require such person to comply with any additional licensing requirements imposed by such municipality or county.

(c) This chapter shall not apply to the installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing, air-conditioning and heating, utility systems, or electrical services, except low-voltage wiring services, up to and including the meters where such work is performed by and is an integral part of the system owned or operated by a public service corporation, an electrical, water, or gas department of any municipality in this state, a railroad company, a pipeline company, or a mining company in the exercise of its normal function as such.

(d) This chapter shall not prohibit an individual from installing, altering, or repairing plumbing fixtures, air-conditioning and heating, air-conditioning and heating fixtures, utility systems, or electrical or low-voltage wiring services in a residential dwelling owned or occupied by such individual; provided, however, that all such work must be done in conformity with all other provisions of this chapter, the rules and regulations of the board, and any applicable county or municipal resolutions, ordinances, codes, or inspection requirements.

(e) This chapter shall not prohibit an individual employed on the maintenance staff of a facility owned by the state or by a county, municipality, or other political subdivision from installing, altering, or repairing plumbing, plumbing fixtures, air-conditioning and heating fixtures, utility systems, or electrical or low-voltage wiring services when such work is an integral part of the maintenance requirements of the facility; provided, however, that all such work must be done in conformity with all other provisions of this chapter and the orders, rules, and regulations of the board.

(f) This chapter shall not prohibit any person from installing, altering, or repairing plumbing, plumbing fixtures, air-conditioning and heating fixtures, utility systems, or electrical or low-voltage wiring services in a farm or ranch service building or as an integral part of any irrigation system on a farm or ranch when such system is not located within 30 feet of any dwelling or any building devoted to animal husbandry. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the application of any resolution, ordinance, code, or inspection requirements of a county or municipality relating to such connections.

(g) This chapter shall not apply to low-voltage wiring performed by public utilities, except that such portion of the business of those public utilities which involves the installation, alteration, repair, or service of telecommunication systems for profit shall be covered under this chapter.

(h) This chapter shall not apply to the installation, construction, or maintenance of power systems or telecommunication systems for the generation or distribution of electric current constructed under the National Electrical Safety Code, which regulates the safety requirements of utilities; but the interior wiring regulated by the National Electrical Safety Code would not be exempt and must be done by an electrical contractor except as otherwise provided by law.

(i) This chapter shall not apply to any technician employed by a municipal or county-franchised community antenna television (CATV) system or a municipally owned community antenna television system in the performance of work on the system.

(j) This chapter shall not apply to regular full-time employees of an institution, manufacturer, or business who perform plumbing, electrical, low-voltage wiring, utility contracting, or conditioned air contracting when working on the premises of that employer.

(k) This chapter shall not apply to persons licensed as manufactured or mobile home installers by the state fire marshal when:

(1) Coupling the electrical connection from the service entrance panel outside the manufactured housing to the distribution panel board inside the manufactured housing;

(2) Connecting the exterior sewer outlets to the above-ground sewer system; or

(3) Connecting the exterior water line to the above-ground water system.

(l) Any person qualified by the Department of Transportation to perform work for the department shall not be required to be licensed under Code Section 43-14-8.2 or certified under Code Sections 43-14-8.3 and 43-14-8.4 in order to perform work for the department. Any person qualified by the Department of Transportation to perform work for the department shall not be required to be licensed under Code Section 43-14-8.2 or certified under Code Sections 43-14-8.3 and 43-14-8.4 in order to perform work for a county, municipality, authority, or other political subdivision when such work is of the same nature as that for which the person is qualified when performing department work; provided, however, that such work is not performed on a utility system as defined in paragraph (17) of Code Section 43-14-2 for which the person receives compensation.

(m) This chapter shall not prohibit any person from installing, altering, or repairing the plumbing component of a lawn sprinkler system from a backflow preventer which was installed by a licensed plumber; provided, however, that all such work must be done in conformity with all other provisions of this chapter, the rules and regulations of the board, and ordinances of the county or municipality.

(n) Any person who contracts with a licensed conditioned air contractor as part of a conditioned air contract to install, alter, or repair duct systems, control systems, or insulation is not required to hold a license from the Division of Conditioned Air Contractors. The conditioned air contractor must retain responsibility for completion of the contract, including any subcontracted work. Any person who contracts with a licensed conditioned air contractor to perform a complete installation, alteration, or repair of a conditioned air system must hold a valid license from the Division of Conditioned Air Contractors. Any person who contracts to perform for or on behalf of a conditioned air contractor to install, alter, or repair electrical, low-voltage, or plumbing components of a conditioned air system must hold a valid license from the appropriate division of the board.

(o) This chapter shall not prohibit any propane dealer who is properly insured as required by law and who holds a liquefied petroleum gas license issued by the Safety Fire Commissioner from installing, repairing, or servicing a propane system or the gas piping or components of such system; provided, however, that such propane dealers shall be prohibited from performing the installation of conditioned air systems or forced air heating systems unless licensed to do so under this chapter.

(p) This chapter shall not apply to any employee or authorized agent of a regulated gas utility or municipal owned gas utility while in the course and scope of such employment.

(q) Any utility contractor holding a valid utility contractor's license under this chapter shall be authorized to bid for and perform work on any utility system in this state without obtaining a license under Chapter 41 of this title. It shall be unlawful for the owner of a utility system or anyone soliciting work to be performed on a utility system to refuse to allow a utility contractor holding a valid utility contractor's license under this chapter to bid for or perform work on a utility system on the basis that such contractor does not hold a license under Chapter 41 of this title.

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)