ARTICLE 2. Administration [5620. - 5630.]

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC 2.
in effect

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 5620. Section 5620.

The duties, powers, purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdiction of the California State Board of Landscape Architects that were succeeded to and vested with the Department of Consumer Affairs in accordance with Chapter 908 of the Statutes of 1994 are hereby transferred to the California Architects Board. The Legislature finds that the purpose for the transfer of power is to promote and enhance the efficiency of state government and that assumption of the powers and duties by the California Architects Board shall not be viewed or construed as a precedent for the establishment of state regulation over a profession or vocation that was not previously regulated by a board, as defined in Section 477. (a) There is in the Department of Consumer Affairs a California Architects Board as defined in Article 2 (commencing with Section 5510) of Chapter 3 of Division 3. Whenever in this chapter “board” is used, it refers to the California Architects Board. (b) Except as provided herein, the board may delegate its authority under this chapter to the Landscape Architects Technical Committee. (c) After review of proposed regulations, the board may direct the examining committee to notice and conduct hearings to adopt, amend, or repeal regulations pursuant to Section 5630, provided that the board itself shall take final action to adopt, amend, or repeal those regulations. (d) The board shall not delegate its authority to discipline a landscape architect or to take action against a person who has violated this chapter. (e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 5620.1. Section 5620.1.

Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the Landscape Architects Technical Committee in exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 5620.2. Section 5620.2.

(a) The following powers conferred by law upon the board are hereby delegated to and conferred upon the executive officer, or in their absence from the office, to the acting executive officer, as provided below: (1) Receive and file accusations. (2) Issue notices of hearings, statements to respondents, and statements of issues. (3) Receive and file notices of defense. (4) Determine the time and place of hearings under Section 11508 of the Government Code. (5) Issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum. (6) Set calendar cases for hearing and perform other functions necessary to the businesslike dispatch of the board in connection with proceedings under Sections 11500 to 11528, inclusive, of the Government Code, before hearing those proceedings. (7) Approve settlement agreements for the revocation or surrender of a license. (8) Certification and delivery or mailing of copies of decisions under Section 11518 of the Government Code. (b) In addition to the powers described in subdivision (a), the following powers are also delegated to and conferred upon the executive officer, as provided below: (1) Evaluate and determine qualifications and approve applicants for examination under Section 5650. (2) Determine which applicants for reciprocity licenses are entitled to waiver of the written examination under Section 5651.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 5621. Section 5621.

(a) There is hereby created within the jurisdiction of the board, a Landscape Architects Technical Committee, hereinafter referred to in this chapter as the landscape architects committee. (b) The landscape architects committee shall consist of five members who shall be licensed to practice landscape architecture in this state. The Governor shall appoint three of the members. The Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint one member each. (c) The initial members to be appointed by the Governor are as follows: one member for a term of one year; one member for a term of two years; and one member for a term of three years. The Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly shall initially each appoint one member for a term of four years. Thereafter, appointments shall be made for four-year terms, expiring on June 1 of the fourth year and until the appointment and qualification of the member’s successor or until one year shall have elapsed, whichever first occurs. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term. (d) No person shall serve as a member of the landscape architects committee for more than two consecutive terms. (e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 5622. Section 5622.

(a) The landscape architects committee may assist the board in the examination of candidates for a landscape architect’s license and, after investigation, evaluate and make recommendations regarding potential violations of this chapter. (b) The landscape architects committee may investigate, assist, and make recommendations to the board regarding the regulation of landscape architects in this state. (c) The landscape architects committee may perform duties and functions that have been delegated to it by the board pursuant to Section 5620. (d) The landscape architects committee may send a representative to all meetings of the full board to report on the committee’s activities. (e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 5629. Section 5629.

The board shall prosecute all persons guilty of violating the provisions of this chapter. Except as provided in Section 159.5, the board may employ inspectors, special agents, investigators, and clerical assistance as it may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. It may fix the compensation to be paid for those services and incur any additional expense as may be deemed necessary.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 5630. Section 5630.

The board may, in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, adopt, amend, or repeal such rules and regulations as are reasonably necessary to: (a) Govern the examinations of applicants for licenses to practice landscape architecture. (b) Establish criteria for approving schools of landscape architecture. (c) Establish rules or professional conduct that are not inconsistent with state or federal law. Every person who holds a license issued by the board shall be governed and controlled by these rules. (d) Carry out the provisions of this chapter.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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