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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Frank Burns |
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Burns' bill to strengthen landscape architect registration passes House
HARRISBURG, April 22 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria/Somerset, said his legislation (H.B. 703) to strengthen registration requirements for landscape architects has passed the House unanimously.
Burns' bill would require all landscape architects seeking registration in Pennsylvania to undergo examination, regardless of their years of active experience, and would expand the criteria for continuing education of licensees.
"This bill has support from the landscape architects and the State Board of Engineers because the current Landscape Architects’ Registration Law is outdated," Burns said. "My bill would ensure that only the most qualified landscape architects receive a license to work in Pennsylvania, and I am pleased my colleagues in the House recognize its importance."
Under current law, an applicant may receive registration without examination if he or she has 10 years of active experience as a landscape architect and is a graduate of an approved institution, or if he or she has 15 years of active experience without the education, if the board approves the experience.
"This avenue to licensure has not been utilized for many years, making it obsolete," Burns said. "By increasing the continuing education requirement, we would also allow our licensees to be able to obtain licensure in neighboring states easier."
Current Pennsylvania law also states that a licensee is required to complete 10 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal period, while most other states require 24 hours of continuing education.
House Bill 703 would eliminate the option for landscape architects with prior experience and/or education to register without examination and increase the number of continuing education credits per biennial renewal period from 10 to 24.
Burns' legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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