Continuing Education for Members
CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM, POLICY, AND PROCEDURES
2025 CE Enforcement Notice
Following the Continuing Education (CE) presentation at the 2025 BCSLA Annual Conference, we recognize that the transition to the updated CE Program, Policy and Procedures (Click blue button above) earlier this year created unexpected challenges for some members in completing their annual CE requirements. After a detailed review and discussion, the Board has confirmed the reporting expectations for the 2025 CE cycle. Members are reminded that CE credits must be reported by December 31, 2025. The following requirements continue to apply for this reporting year:
- A minimum of 12 CE Credit
- Within Category 1, members still need to complete:
- 2 credits under Indigenous Reconciliation
- 2 credits under Climate Adaptation
- The remaining 8 credits may be logged under any approved CE category.
For 2025 only, members who report at least 10 CE credits will be considered in compliance provided that the required 2 Indigenous Reconciliation credits and 2 Climate Adaptation credits in Category 1 are completed. This adjustment applies solely to the 2025 reporting year to support members during the transition to the updated program. For more information, including a list of Indigenous Reconciliation CE resources, please see the remainder of this webpage. For a list of Climate Adaption CE resources, please visit CSLA's Climate Change webpage. If you have any questions or need assistance with submitting your CE report, please email [email protected].
2025 CE Requirement:
RLAs, LAs and Interns - 12 credits
Inactive members - 6 credits
Interprovincial Agreement: For members who have completed CE in other Canadian jurisdictions, take a screenshot of the reporting page where you logged you credits (e.g. OALA / AALA), then upload to the BCSLA CE reporting portal as an attachment before December 31 each year.
Indigenous Components: Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a list of Indigenous resources, as required under CATEGORY 1.
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 1 Structured Education Activities | 8 CE Credits MINIMUM, including: 2 CE Credits MINIMUM on Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples training, and 2 CE Credits MINIMUM on Climate Change Adaptation learning. |
| Category 2 Professional Activities & Self-directed Learning | UNLIMITED* |
| Category 3 Personal 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 1 per article |
| 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 year Member – 2 per year |
| Service on a BCSLA or CSLA committee, task force, working group, etc | 2 | Chair – 4 per year Member – 2 per year |
| Service on a BCSLA or CSLA Municipal task force, Design Panel, or similar committee. | 2 | Chair – 4 per year Member – 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 8 total per book |
| 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 1 as co-author |
| Guest critic at a school or related college. | 2 | 1 per session |
| LARE | 1 | 4 per passed section 2 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 Reconciliation Resources - BCSLA
The BCSLA has compiled a list of Indigenous resources for both free or paid modules.
> 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.
>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.