Our Preparatory Courses for the Landscape Architect Registration Examination were developed over 20 years by Ray Freeman, ASLA. At his retirement, we worked with Ray to adapt his materials into online webinars.
We meet in real time, from 8:30 am (Pacific Standard Time) until around 4:30 pm PST, with a break for lunch. Our password-protected Zoom classroom allows us to learn from the group’s diverse practice experiences, mark up design problems on a shared screen and discuss exam issues. In 2022 we began recording these sessions for webinar participants to use after the weekend is over. If you are not available on webinar day, or prefer to participate anonymously, we can now accommodate your specific needs. Contact us if you have questions.
It’s very rewarding to take this virtual sabbatical with design professionals from all across North America. Feedback has been pretty positive, see below…. Join us!
For test period April 3-16, 2023
Our spring webinars are over. If you’d like to attend virtually using our video recordings, contact us.
For test period July 31 – August 13, 2023
June 2, 3, 4 (Section 4)
$450 (including registration fees)
REGISTER (Eventbrite)
June 9, 10, 11 (Section 3)
$400 (including registration fees)
REGISTER (Eventbrite)
June 17 (Section 1)
$175 (including registration fees)
REGISTER (Eventbrite)
June 18 (Section 2)
$175 (including registration fees)
REGISTER (Eventbrite)
June 30, July 1, 2 (Section 4, repeat)
$450 (including registration fees)
REGISTER (Eventbrite)
For test period December 4-17, 2023
December 2023 will be the official launch of CLARB’s new LARE blueprint. We have identified weekends but it is likely that the precise days for each course will need to be revised as we finalize updating our materials. We will also be looking at revising course fees. Registration will likely open in the summer of 2023.
Watch this space and subscribe to our mailing list for more information!
October 6, 7, 8 (Grading, Drainage and Stormwater Management)
October 13, 14, 15 (Planning and Design)
October 21 (Construction Documentation and Administration)
October 22 (Inventory, Analysis, and Project Management)
November 3, 4, 5 (Grading, Drainage and Stormwater Management)
SECTION 1: PROJECT AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
This intensive one-day course provides an in-depth overview of the exam and exam-specific test taking tips. We review CLARB’s test specification topics and use practice exams to assess your knowledge. Section 1 contains a lot of process-oriented material around contracts and construction administration, and candidates find plain, simple explanations and discussion of common project processes and roles invaluable. The Section 1 Syllabus contains approximately 110 pages of information and 140 practice questions.
SECTION 2: INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS
This intensive one-day course provides an in-depth overview of the exam and exam-specific test taking tips. Similar to Section 1, we review CLARB’s test specification topics and use practice exams to assess candidates’ knowledge. Section 2 contains a lot of information that must be memorized and we can help with sorting the work. The Section 2 Syllabus contains approximately 155 pages of information and 150 practice questions.
SECTION 3: DESIGN
Over the course of three days, we will prepare for Section 3: Design. Students will be exposed to the fundamentals of planning and design skills that CLARB considers necessary to pass this section, and we will practice applying problem-solving techniques on sample test questions in graphic and multiple response formats. The Section 3 Syllabus contains approximately 370 pages and at least 235 practice test questions. Students also receive separate packets containing 25 design advanced item type (AIT) problems with solutions, for practice during class and for follow-up study group use.
SECTION 4: GRADING, DRAINAGE AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION
This intensive three-day course prepares candidates to take Section 4. This course includes a look at material that is typically covered on the exam and strategy tips for analyzing and answering advanced item type questions (AITs). The course will include a short refresher on the fundamentals of grading and drainage. We will focus on building and reinforcing skills essential to successfully completing section 4 of the LARE. The Section 4 Syllabus contains over 400 pages of information, and includes 210 test questions and 30 Advanced Item Type problems in separate packets that include the problem and its solution.
OTHER RESOURCES
Independent Study Materials:
If you can’t make the webinar, we can mail you hardcopy, bound course materials at discounted rates and connect you with a study group. Allow ten days for shipping. Postage is included in these costs but CA sales tax will be added at purchase. We can also provide the same materials in pdf form if you prefer same-day access.
All sections and question formats updated for 2022!
Section 1: Includes Syllabus book with practice tests in current multiple choice format. $120
Section 2: Includes Syllabus book with practice tests in current multiple choice format. $120
Section 3: Includes Syllabus book with practice questions in current multiple choice format, AIT problems and solutions. We also include the old 2008 LARE Reference Manual and our ‘Maps and Plans of the LARE’. $250
Section 4: Includes Syllabus book with practice questions in current multiple choice format, AIT problems and solutions. $275
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Purchase independent study materials:
Free LARE resources:
Section O – our general guide to the LARE’s current format and good strategies for test preparation. Updated to include our best advice for 2022’s new exam format.
2008 LARE Reference Manual—scanned pdf of the old reference standards
CLARB’s Eligibility Requirements by state—interactive map here
Information about being a beta tester for our new California Supplemental Exam online course
Sign up for our mailing list. We limit our emails and always include an unsubscribe option.
“I’m extremely happy I took this course, and the Zoom format was actually helpful and efficient—more affordable doing it virtually than paying for a plane ticket and hotel. I would recommend it to everyone”
“I wish more people knew about this course. I enjoyed it so much. I wish we could have done it for four days, not just three! Thank you, Sarah, very much.”
“The course was fantastic—just what I was looking for to steer me in the right direction to prepare for Section 4.”
“Sarah is so knowledgeable and made me feel much more confident about taking the exam. As someone who takes a longer time to learn things, I appreciate how patient, considerate, and encouraging Sarah was. She wants us to succeed!”
“Just wanted to reach out and say thank you for your incredibly informative class. I felt more confident walking out of Exam 4 than any of the other exams. I’d play the recordings on the TV and watch from the treadmill in the weeks leading up to the exam. I think that, coupled with my dog-eared and over-highlighted syllabus, really made a difference.
Thanks again for your class – I’ll be recommending it to anyone I know studying for the LARE!”
“Just wanted to let you know I PASSED!!! Thank you for all of your tutoring help. I will be taking section 3 in December.”
“I’m currently starting to go through your CSE prep course, and I am excited for the content that you have developed. I believe you are doing such an important thing in helping people figure out how to study for this exam (and the LARE exams).”
“I wanted to let you know I finally passed Section 4!!! Thank you so much for your support, your course and your time, really appreciate it.”
“I recently took your Section 2 course and really loved it… (the recorded sessions) really helped me to hear you talk through the topics and hear thoughts/questions from other participants.”
“… I wanted to report back that I ended up passing all 4 sections! I am very appreciative of you and the planning and care that you’ve put into the course. In addition to just covering test specific content, you made it interesting and engaging and the courses were very inspirational. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the work you do as I know it is a labor of love!”