CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM, POLICY, AND PROCEDURES (June 2025)
(click here to see the comprehensive reporting guideline)
REPORTING CATEGORIES
Members are required to earn and report CE Credits to fulfil CE requirements according to the following categories, the purpose of which is to ensure continuing training of Members is aligned with the overarching Continuing Education principles of the BCSLA.
ATEGORY | CE CREDITS PER YEAR |
Category 1Structured Education Activities | 8 CE Credits MINIMUM, including:
|
Category 2Professional Activities & Self-directed Learning | UNLIMITED* |
Category 3Personal Development and Community Service | Up to 4 CE Credits MAXIMUM. |
Category 1 - Structured Education Courses and Training Programs
Members may claim CE credits for the successful completion of substantive activities in landscape architecture and landscape architecture-related fields which upgrade their skills. Courses, conferences, seminars, workshops, presentations, lectures and programs offered by a recognized landscape architectural organization (e.g. BCSLA, CSLA, CELA, ASLA, CLARB, IFLA) and/or other relevant professional societies, education institutions, or private sector delivery agencies are in principle eligible for CE Credits under Category 1.
This category includes minimum, mandatory requirements for Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Climate Emergency Adaptation. Continuing Education in Indigenous Reconciliation is mandatory under the Professional Governance Act. In addition, in response to the global climate emergency, BCSLA members must ensure part of their CE activities are dedicated towards education associated with Climate Emergency Adaptation. The CE Committee recommends members to also engage in CE activities that address other non-mandatory but important issues such as Accessibility, Equity, Inclusivity or Universal Design.
For an activity to be eligible for CE Credits under Category 1, it must:
- Be relevant and clear in educational value, with stated learning objectives,
- Include components that permit learners to interact with the instructor through real-time feedback or through learning resources such as Questionnaires, Tests, Questions & Answers, etc.,
- Yield new knowledge to the Member, and
- The Member can provide proof of attendance
Or,
- Have been vetted, and be imparted by a recognised Continuing Education provider.
Examples:
- University Courses
- LARE Examination
- Attendance to BCSLA Conference
- Structured Lunch & Learn that meets Category 1 Criteria
As an honour-based system, Members must determine themselves whether an activity meets the Category 1 criteria. Activities that do not meet Category 1 criteria could still be claimed under Category 2 as self-directed learning.
Category 2 - Professional Activities & Self-directed Learning
Credits may be claimed for activities undertaken in landscape architecture and landscape architecture-related fields above and beyond the professional (remunerated) practice of the profession, such as giving presentations, lectures, the publication or articles, journals or books, and volunteer service to the landscape architecture profession through BCSLA, CSLA, CELA, ASLA, CLARB, IFLA etc., educational institutions, design panels or private sector education delivery agencies.
Category 2 also includes Self-directed Learning that would not meet Category 1 criteria.
The objective of this Category is to encourage Members to engage in activities that enrich the profession of Landscape Architecture through volunteerism and active participation in landscape architecture related activities.
Examples:
- Volunteering on a BCSLA’s Board or Committee
- Publishing an article related to landscape architecture
- Giving a presentation at the BCSLA Conference
- Non-structured Lunch & Learns that do not meet any of the Category 1 Criteria
Category 3 - Personal Development and Community Service
Personal development and community service activities undertaken in any related field, , that allow a member to gain personal skills, confidence, and leadership experience such as: public speaking, writing and publishing, media outreach, leadership roles, networking, and volunteering with NGO or community service organizations.
The objective of this Category is to encourage Members to engage on activities that enrich our communities, and to provide a degree of flexibility on how to fulfil the total amount of CE Credits required.
Examples:
- Volunteer at NGO
- Coaching
- Community service
Refer to Appendix B – Special Activities for a list of special activities that have specific CE Credit values.
APPENDIX B - SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Activity | Category | Credits |
Attendance at the BCSLA, CSLA, ASLA, IFLA or other allied professional associations conference courses | 1 | 2 per full day |
Attendance at BCSLA and/or CSLA Annual General Meeting including preparation and participation. | 2 | 1 Maximum per year |
Lecture presentation as speaker at any of the above conferences. | 2 | 4 per lecture |
Summary presentation to peers and colleagues on Landscape Architecture topics. | 2 | 1 per event |
Reading a book/article on landscape architecture. | 2 | 2 per book |
Volunteer participation in Landscape Architecture visioning projects, planning workshops, design charrettes, etc. | 2 | 1 per event |
University and other post-secondary institutions of higher learning Programs, Professional Accreditation and Certificates.) | 1 | 4 per course/credential |
Service on a board such as BCSLA, CSLA, IFLA or other affiliated professional associations. | 2 | Executive – 4 per yearMember – 2 per year |
Service on a BCSLA or CSLA committee, task force, working group, etc | 2 | Chair – 4 per yearMember – 2 per year |
Service on a BCSLA or CSLA Municipal task force, Design Panel, or similar committee. | 2 | Chair – 4 per yearMember – 2 per year |
Event attendance as representative to a government or agency; advisory group or committee; or another professional association. | 2 | 1 per event attendance |
Book published relevant to Landscape Architecture | 2 | 4 per year, up to |
Book published relevant to Landscape Architecture - Contributing author or editor. | 2 | 4 per book |
Technical or research article, position paper, editorial, review, etc. as sole author. | 2 | 2 as author |
Guest critic at a school or related college. | 2 | 1 per session |
LARE | 1 | 4 per passed section2 per workshop led |
Event attendance as a representative to a community working group, NGO, or other community volunteer initiatives. | 3 | 1 per event attendance |
Indigenous Resources
> Indigenous Peoples Learning Resources - AIBC
The Architectural Institute of B.C. has compiled a list of Indigenous Peoples Learning resources from external providers. Click here to see.
>Indigenous Awareness - British Columbia Institute of Technology
This course promotes an increased understanding of Indigenous people and their place and space in Canada, past and present. The course will provide you with foundational knowledge of Indigenous people in the hopes that as the true history and contemporary reality of Indigenous people is more broadly known, Reconciliation can begin. Cost: $0.00
>British Columbia: An Untold History - Knowledge Network
This free four-part series uncovers Indigenous resistance through decades of brutality, the exploitation of migrant workers, and chronicles their continued resilience despite systemic racism. It features Indigenous, Chinese, Japanese, Punjabi, Black, and European stories, which are woven together to present an astute look at the complicated histories that shaped BC as we know it today.
>Indigenous Corporate Training
Guiding, training and supporting you in your reconciliation journey so that you are Working Effectively With Indigenous Peoples® and changing the world.
>Dispelling Common Myths about Indigenous Peoples e-Book
Dispelling Common Myths About Indigenous Peoples takes a look at 9 myths and explores the realities of those myths. It’s a great resource for anyone who wants to look beyond common myths and misconceptions to the realities about Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
> Drought Tolerant Trees for the Fraser Valley (PDF)
> FireSmart Manual - Government of BC (PDF)
>The Infrastructure Planning Guide and Toolkit
The purpose of the Infrastructure Planning Guide and Toolkit is to support First Nations with infrastructure planning so that it helps achieve the community’s vision and goals.
Vancouver Public Library has an extensive collection of garden design and landscape architecture books to support professional practitioners and at-home experts. The Library also maintains subscriptions to the leading North American Journals of landscape architecture and has access to databases collecting relevant articles on garden design in popular and academic journals. The resources presented in this subject guide will be useful for landscape architects preparing for the Landscape Architect Registration Exam.
