Landcape Architect or Landscape Designer?

What's the difference between a landscape architect and a landscape designer?

All landscape architects are landscape designers, but not all landscape designers are landscape architects. Both landscape architects and designers can design equally beautiful (or equally horrid) landscapes. Either can also hold a contractor's license and be involved in the actual process of construction (although most choose to work with contractors).

Either a landscape designer or landscape architect can build projects, as long as he or she has a valid contractor's license. If they're building your project, they're in the design and build game - more about that here.

If their services concern giving advice and preparing plans without design and build, the difference between landscape architects and designers boils down to the fact that landscape architects must qualify for and pass an arduous examination before they can use the title of landscape architect. The license entitles them to design commercial and public spaces, in addition to residential landscapes. Landscape designers are currently more restricted as to what kinds of plans they can prepare as independent designers.

Landscape designers may be certified by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). In fact, it's possible to be both a landscape architect and a certified APLD landscape designer.

Typically, a landscape architect will have a degree in landscape architecture, and must have two years' experience working for a landscape architect before being eligible to take the test.

It's tougher to evaluate landscape designers from their background. They may or may not have a degree in landscape architecture, although many do. Their training may come from other sources. They aren't licensed by the state (unless they also have contractor's licenses). None of this makes them bad or good - it just means that you have to ask questions, review their portfolios carefully, and make a decision based on their portfolio and the outcome of your interview.

None of this has any bearing on aesthetics, however. Testing and certification look at the skill set required to create plans, design irrigation, draw details and otherwise create spaces that are safe. Since aesthetics are subjective, you'll have to look at the designer's portfolio and decide for yourself.

You can check if someone is a landscape architect here.

You can view their contractor's license information here.