4 CCR 729-1.7 - Rules of Landscape Architecture Practice

This Rule is promulgated pursuant to sections 12-20-204, 12-130-107(1)(a), and 12-130-116, C.R.S.

A. Sealing Requirements for Licensed Landscape Architects

1. Seal Specifications. Pursuant to section 12-130-116(1), C.R.S. the seal authorized by the Board for licensees is one of the crime type, rubber stamp type, and/or computer generated type. Each licensee shall procure a stamp, which shall be in the form of two concentric circles. The diameter of the outer circle shall be nominally two inches and the diameter of the inner circle shall be nominally one inch. The original date that the license number was issued shall be centered in the inner area of the seal in the space occupied by "mm/dd/yyyy" and the size of the numbers shall be the same size of the letters in "mm/dd/yyyy" The letters "mm/dd/yyyy" should not appear on the seal. This stamp shall comply in all respects, including size and format, with the specimen shown below.

The original signature of the individual named on the seal and the date of the signature shall appear across the face of each original seal imprint. A public agency may require a signature (manual or electronic) of the licensee on reproductions. Exception to this Rule is allowed only as required for compliance with a federal contract.

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2. Seal Application. A seal must be applied to either the final reproducible or final reproduction of all of the following.

a. Each sheet of landscape architectural technical drawings.

b. The cover, title page, and table of contents of specifications bound in book form.

c. The title page of details bound in book form and prepared specifically to supplement project drawings.

d. The title or signature page of landscape architectural technical reports.

3. Sealing Documents That Are Complete. Licensees shall sign, date, and stamp original technical drawings that are complete. Complete technical drawings are those deemed to have sufficient detail in the design to satisfy the obligation to protect the public health, safety and welfare.

4. Sealing Documents That Are Note Final. When a licensee seals landscape architectural documents that are not final, the status of the landscape architectural documents must be identified as preliminary. Further qualifying descriptors may be added (e.g., "for review," "not for construction," "for bid only").

5. Limiting Scope of Responsibility. When a licensee signs and seals a document, the licensee is responsible for the entire document unless the licensee limits the seal by including a specific written statement adjacent to the seal that accurately reflects the scope of responsibility for the document.

6. Specifying Manufactured Components in Designs. Licensees may specify manufactured components that are typically selected and used in projects that must be designed by landscape architects. The licensee may show the manufactured component on the drawing or document and is responsible for the correct selection and specification of the manufactured components, but is not responsible for the proper design and manufacture of the manufactured components selected.

7. Retaining Landscape Architecture Documents. One record set of documents shall be retained in the possession of the licensee for a minimum of three years from the beginning of beneficial use. The record set shall consist of, at a minimum, the sealed, signed, and dated reproducible, or a copy of all documents displaying the licensee's seal, signature, and date. There may be more than one record set.

B. Landscape Architect's Certification

1. Circumstances and Applicable Actions. When a landscape architect is presented with a certification to be signed and/or sealed, the landscape architect should carefully evaluate that certification to determine if any of the following circumstances apply.

a. Matters that are beyond the landscape architect's competence, training, or education.

b. Matters that are beyond the landscape architect's services actually provided.

c. Matters that were not prepared under the landscape architect's supervision.

If any of these circumstances apply, the landscape architect shall take either of the following actions.

(1) Modify such certification to limit its scope to those matters that the landscape architect can properly sign and/or seal.

(2) Decline to sign such certification.

2. Certification Defined. Certification is defined as a statement that includes all of the following.

a. Is signed and/or sealed by a licensed landscape architect representing that the landscape architecture services addressed therein have been performed by the licensed landscape architect.

b. Is based upon the landscape architect's knowledge, information, and belief.

c. Is in accordance with applicable standards of practice.

d. Is not a guaranty or warranty, either expressed or implied.

3. Responsibilities of Landscape Architects Providing Expert Testimony and Litigation Consulting.

a. Landscape architects shall have the following duties in the course of providing litigation support:

(1) Maintain professional integrity and professional candor;

(2) Do not subordinate professional duties to legal advocacy;

(3) Apply knowledge of relevant codes, guidelines and standards for landscape architecture practice;

(4) Notify any persons, including property owners, who may be affected by dangerous conditions revealed in the course of providing litigation support; and,

(5) Use professional judgment when evaluating the sufficiency of other professional studies and opinions as the basis for new findings and opinions. Landscape architects providing litigation support shall avoid omitting a material fact necessary to keep statements from being misleading.

b. Allowance for Variation in Opinions. When dealing with matters in litigation, landscape architects may have differing opinions. A difference of opinion between reasonable landscape architects is not a basis for a complaint to the Board.

4. Title Protection.

a. Implementation of Section 12-130-112(2)(o), C.R.S. The use of the title "landscape architect," or "licensed landscape architect" implying the possession of a Colorado license, for the purpose of soliciting or advertising professional services unless licensed, is a violation of section 12-130-112(2)(o), C.R.S. In accordance with section 12-130-112(1), C.R.S., the Board must investigate complaints and other evidence of the misuse of such titles.

b. Holding Out as Registered Landscape Architect (RLA) or Professional Landscape Architect (PLA). Use of the designation "RLA" or "PLA" may constitute holding out as a licensed landscape architect if it is established that the designation is intended to represent the status of a licensed landscape architect in Colorado.

Notes

4 CCR 729-1.7

45 CR 16, August 25, 2022, effective 9/14/2022 45 CR 23, December 10, 2022, effective 12/30/2022