21201 Landscape architects

What this occupation covers

Landscape architects conceptualize, design, plan and manage the construction of natural, cultural and built landscape development for commercial projects, office complexes, parks, golf courses and residential development. They are employed by government environmental and development agencies, landscape consulting firms and by architectural and engineering firms, or they are self-employed.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 8 main duties for this code.

• Confer with clients to determine design needs
• Survey and assess designated sites and develop designs taking into consideration landscape features, buildings, climate, future usage and other aspects
• Prepare or oversee the preparation of detailed drawings for sites, including features such as trees, shrubs, gardens, lighting, walkways, patios, decks, benches, fences, retaining walls and fountains
• Prepare or oversee preparation of site plans, reports, sketches, models, photographs, maps, land use studies, design plans such as landscape grading, drainage or planting, and construction details
• Estimate costs, prepare specifications and evaluate tenders for landscape construction projects
• Conduct environmental design studies, including environmental assessment, planning and the preservation and re-creation of historical sites
• Conduct community and neighbourhood physical planning studies, participate in multidisciplinary urban design studies, prepare design guidelines, and develop master plans
• May manage and supervise landscape construction work.

Do not copy these lines into your reference letter. The letter has to describe what you actually did, in your employer’s words. DUTYPROOF flags wording lifted from the NOC as something to review, and an officer reading a letter that mirrors the NOC reads it the same way.

What DUTYPROOF screens for

This is DUTYPROOF’s screening threshold, not IRCC’s decision. For this NOC, screening requires at least 2 of its 8 official duties to be evidenced in your own words, plus the required letter elements. IRCC asks that you performed the actions in the occupation’s lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties — so treat the duty coverage as the number that matters, not the badge.

Codes this one is confused with

The NOC profile names these itself. Choosing the wrong code of a look-alike pair is the most common way genuine work experience fails to establish eligibility.

• 21200 Architects
• 22114 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
• 20011 Architecture and science managers
• 82031 Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services
• 21202 Urban and land use planners

Excluded from this code

• Architects (See 21200 Architects)
• Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists (See 22114 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists)
• Landscape architecture manager (See 20011 Architecture and science managers)
• Landscape design contractor (See 82031 Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services)
• Urban and land use planners (See 21202 Urban and land use planners)

Job titles filed under this code

A title on this list does not by itself put your experience in this code — the duties in your letter decide that.

landscape architect · senior landscape architect

Employment requirements

• A bachelor's degree in landscape architecture is required.
• A master's degree in landscape architecture may be required.
• Registration with a regulatory body is required in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
• In the remaining provinces and territories, landscape architects usually require two years of landscape design experience and an interview by their respective provincial associations to receive association certification.
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers.