Continuing Education Program
CE Policy Changes
On May 18, 2021 the BCSLA Board approved a CE Policy change recommended by the CE Committee.
The BCSLA CE Policy shifted from a three-year 30 credit reporting cycle to a one-year 10-credit reporting cycle. Members and Associates are required to file their annual CE credits (10) prior to, or with payment of their annual dues. 2022 was the first one-year reporting year in the cycle
When the Mandatory CE program was first established in 2004, CE Credits were very easy to accumulate so that Members and Associates could quickly become accustomed to monitoring credits. The CE Program was always meant to become more rigorous over time. At the conclusion of each term revisions may be made using suggestions by BCSLA Members and BCSLA Interns to align with the CE program across boundaries and professions.
CE System BCSLA Members & Interns
> 2021 Mandatory Continuing Education Policy (2021)
> CE Login Login to the BCSLA Member Services Page to complete or update your online CE form.
Reporting, Monitoring and Compliance
The CE program became mandatory at the beginning of 2004 after a three-year voluntary program. To maintain the objectives of the Society, the Continuing Education initiative and to strengthen the public's confidence in the BCSLA, all Registered Landscape Architects, Landscape Architects, Inactive Landscape Architects and Interns are required to annually monitor their Continuing Education activities.
> Download Continuing Education Input and Credit Guide (2021)
Procedure and Penalties for Non-Compliance
Following the end of the annual CE reporting period, the Continuing Education Committee (CEC) and Board of Directors review member files for minimum CE requirement compliance.
>Download Policy for CE Annual Non-Compliant Members
Interprovincial CE Agreement
The AALA, BCSLA and OALA have agreed in principle to collaborate to reduce member friction related to Continuing Education (CE) Program requirements. Members that hold membership in multiple provinces (currently AB, BC and ON only) will only be required to file their CE credits in the province that they pay CSLA Dues through. Each Component receiving CE Credits will advise the others when submissions are received and approved and that will suffice for the alternate jurisdictions. As always, any Component may request an audit of your submission and you will be required to comply with an Audit request from any Component. For Example: If you file CE in BC and are a member in Alberta, and Alberta requests that BCSLA Audit your CE submission, the BCSLA will undertake an audit and advise AALA whether or not you are compliant within program guidelines.
CE & Other Professions
> CE Comparison Chart 2020: The BCSLA CE Committee conducted research on CE Requirements. Note that the CE Comparison Chart will be updated in 2023. Click here to download CE Comparison Chart 2020 for details.
> American Society of Landscape Architects CE Requirements by State. Click to view on the ASLA website.
Analysis of all state requirements, a comparison chart, and a chart describing allowable CE activities
How to Get BCSLA CE Credits
The world, and our little corner of it, has changed a lot since the first printing of 101 Ways in 2015. While the suggestions in 101 Ways remain very useful motivators for exploring knowledge gaps, there is great urgency in staying current within the profession, because landscape is both a human construct, a way of culturally organizing territory, and with human agency can transform and redefine human settlements, meet essential needs, and enrich human lives. The completion of the Truth + Reconciliation Commission hearings and release of the 94 Calls to Action in 2016 has both personal and collective implications, and as you will see, has pushed the direction and organization of the 151 ideas in this edition into some specific and timely topics to explore and absorb.
101 [free or low-cost] ways to get BCSLA CE Credits
The requirement for continuing education (CE) ensures that the BCSLA operates as a self-regulating profession that meets its statutory obligations under the Architects (Landscape) Act. The CE requirements are intended to encourage members to expand their foundations of knowledge and stay current on new developments within the broadest definition of landscape architectural practice. This zine evolved from the 2014 AGM when several members indicated that doing CE was too expensive and time-consuming. The 101 ideas presented in the booklet should trigger your own ideas about what you need to continue your lifelong pursuit of knowledge. Nearly all of the ideas are free and while they do cost you time, they should be fun.
