Firm Registration
All
landscape architecture firms, which are general corporations,
professional associations, limited liability companies or partnerships,
must obtain a Certificate of Authorization to provide landscape
architectural services in the state of Ohio. The only exemption
from this requirement is a sole proprietor who has not formed
a corporation. Incorporated sole proprietors must obtain a Certificates
of Authorization.
The cost of a new Certificate of Authorization is $100.
Certificates of Authorization expire every year on June 30. Renewal
forms will be available for download on the Board website approximately
two months prior to the deadline. The cost to renew is $50.
Any
changes in the firm's name, address, or ownership must be reported
in writing to the board within 30 days.
Should
there be any change in the original firm name, other than a new
d/b/a designation, a new certificate of authorization must be
obtained.
Any
firm using a d/b/a designation must notify the Board in writing
of their complete, full name.
Before applying for a
Certificate of Authorization, firms must register to do business
in the state of Ohio with the Ohio Secretary of State and a copy
of the registration/certificate must accompany the application
for the Certificate of Authorization. Contact the Ohio Secretary
of State, Business Services Division, by phone at (614)466-2655
or Toll Free at (877) 767-6446 or at www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/businessservices/corp.aspx for registration forms.
The
original firm name must be actively registered with the Ohio Secretary
of State.
All
title blocks, letterhead and written contracts shall bear the
complete firm name, including any d/b/a name.
Firm
seals are not permitted in Ohio. All seals must bear the name
and number of an Ohio licensed landscape architect.
Failure to comply with the requirements may result in penalties,
including fines, suspension, or revocation of an individual landscape
architect's license.
If it is determined by the Board that a firm does not meet the requirements,
the firm may either withdraw the application and receive a refund
of the application fee, or request additional time in order to
correct the deficiency.
Firms not holding a Certificate of Authorization are not permitted
to practice Landscape Architecture in the State of Ohio.
Firms offering both Architecture and Landscape Architecture services
may hold dual certification and may renew by completing one application.
Contact the Board if this applies to your firm.
For more information, please contact the Board office at (614) 466-2316.
To qualify for a Certificate of Authorization, a firm must meet all
of the following requirements:
General Corporation
More
than 50% of the shareholders must be registered in Ohio as Landscape
Architects, Architects, Professional Engineers or Land Surveyors
or a combination thereof.
1.
The
licensed persons in the firm must hold more than 50% of
the stock issued by the corporation. For example, if there are
ten owners, then six must be registered in Ohio.
2.
At
least one Ohio registered landscape architect shall be designated as being
in responsible charge of the firm's landscape architectural activities
and decisions.
3.
At
least one designated Ohio registered landscape architect shall be a member
of the corporation's board of directors.
4.
More
than 50% of the members of the board of directors must be registered in Ohio
as Landscape Architects, Architects, Professional Engineers, Land
Surveyors or a combination thereof.
5.
The
licensed members of the board of directors must hold a majority
of the stock issued.
Professional Association
1.
The
requirements for incorporation under this designation specify
that all shareholders be licensed in Ohio as Landscape
Architects, Architects, Professional Engineers or Land Surveyors.
2.
There
must be at least one landscape architect shareholder in order
for the association to provide landscape architectural services.
3.
At
least one landscape architect shall be designated as being in responsible
charge of the partnership's landscape architectural activities
and decisions.
Partnership
1.
More
than 50% of the partners must be registered in Ohio as Landscape Architects,
Architects, Professional Engineers or Land Surveyors or a combinations
thereof. For example, if there are ten partners, then six must
be registered in Ohio.
2.
The
licensed persons in the firm must hold more than 50% of the interest
in the partnership.
3.
At
least one Ohio registered landscape architect shall be designated
as being in responsible charge of the partnership's landscape
architectural activities and decisions.
Limited Liability Company
1.
More
than 50% of the members must be registered in Ohio as Landscape Architects,
Architects, Professional Engineers or Land Surveyors or a combination
thereof. For example, if there are ten members, then six must
be registered in Ohio.
2.
The
licensed persons in the firm must hold more than 50% of the interests
in the company.
3.
At
least one Ohio registered landscape architect shall be designated
as being in responsible charge of the firm's landscape architectural
activities and decisions.
4.
At
least one Ohio registered designated landscape architect shall
be a company manager.
5.
More
than 50% of the members of the board of directors must be registered
in Ohio as Landscape Architects, Architects, Professional Engineers,
Land Surveyors or a combination thereof.
Please click here
to download materials for registration.
