Continuing Education for Members
Annual Requirements
Members are required to report the following number of credits on any Reporting Year, according to the categories described in the Reporting Categories section. Credit requirements will be pro-rated for new participants and for those requesting temporary exemptions.
For clarity, Members who have been granted the designation “Life Member” and who are not a Retired Landscape Architect are required to adhere to the CE Program and report the minimum number of CE Credits applicable to their membership category during the Reporting Year.
| MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY | MINIMUM ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS |
| Registered Landscape Architects (RLAs) | 12 CE Credits |
| Landscape Architects (LAs) | 12 CE Credits |
| Interns | 12 CE Credits |
| Inactive Members (includes RLA, LAs, and Interns) | 6 CE Credits in any Category |
| Retired Landscape Architects | Exempt |
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 continuous training of Members is aligned with the overarching Continuing Education principles of the BCSLA.
MANDATORY CREDITS
Within the overall CE requirements, certain subject areas are mandatory.
Continuing Education related to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is mandatory under the Professional Governance Act. In addition, in response to the global climate emergency, BCSLA Members must ensure that a portion of their CE activities includes education related to Climate Change Adaptation.
The CE Committee recommends members also engage in CE activities that address other non-mandatory but important issues such as Accessibility, Equity, Inclusivity and Universal Design.
Members must keep documentation for a minimum of five years after the end of the Reporting Year in which the activity took place. This documentation must meet a level of detail that demonstrates that the Member or Intern completed the activity they have claimed. For more information see section on Monitoring.
| CATEGORY | CE CREDITS PER YEAR |
| Category 1 Structured Learning | 8 CE Credits MINIMUM, including: 2 CE Credits MINIMUM on Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples 2 CE Credits MINIMUM on Climate Change Adaptation |
| Category 2 Professional Activities & Self-directed Learning | UNLIMITED* |
| Category 3 Personal Development and Community Service | Up to 4 CE Credits MAXIMUM |
Category 1: Structured Learning
Category 1 includes formal educational activities that expand or update professional knowledge, skills, and competencies in landscape architecture or related fields. Members may claim CE credits for substantive educational activities intended to upgrade professional skills. These activities are typically organized learning opportunities with clear educational objectives and instructional content.
Examples include:
- Courses
- Conferences
- Workshops
- Seminars
- Webinars
- Lectures
- Professional training programs
Structured learning may also include education related to:
- Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples (Professional Governance Act requirement)
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Accessibility and universal design
- Equity and inclusion
Does My Activity Qualify?
An activity qualifies for Category 1 if two or more of the following apply:
- The activity had clear learning objectives and provided new knowledge.
- It included interaction with an instructor through real time feedback or learning resources, such as Q&A, tests, discussion, or assessments.
- It was provided by a recognized professional organization, educational institution, or training provider (e.g. BCSLA, CSLA, CELA, ASLA, CLARB, IFLA) or allied professional society.
- It appears on the BCSLA approved CE resource list
Category 2: Professional Participation
Category 2 recognizes professional contributions and self-directed learning that support the advancement of landscape architecture and the continued development of professional knowledge.
These activities are typically less formal than structured learning but still contribute to professional competency and engagement with the profession.
Examples include:
- Teaching or presenting professional education sessions
- Writing or publishing articles or research
- Serving on professional committees or boards
- Preparing and delivering conference presentations
- Mentoring or supervising interns
- Independent professional research or study
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 initiatives.
Category 3: Personal Development and Community Service
Category 3 recognizes personal development and community service activities that build leadership, communication, and community engagement skills that support professional growth.
These activities help strengthen relationships between the profession and the communities landscape architects serve.
Examples include:
- Volunteering with community organizations
- Serving on advisory or working groups
- Coaching or mentoring in community settings
- Participating in public outreach or community initiatives
This category encourages members to engage in activities that enrich communities while developing transferable professional skills.
Refer to the Member Dashboard to enter your CE activities, which include pre-assigned credit values.
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.
The information on this page is based on the BCSLA Continuing Education Program Policy, Version 1.3 (August 2026). Click here to view the complete policy. In the event of any discrepancy between the information on this page and the policy, the policy shall prevail.