Page 1 of 152
LARE PRACTICE TEST 2026-2027: 250+
QUESTIONS & RATIONALES FOR ALL 4
SECTIONS | LATEST CLARB BLUEPRINT
ITSJEREGUIDES
## SECTION 1: PROJECT AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
### 1.1 CONTRACTS AND LEGAL DOCUMENTS
**Q1. (Comprehension)**
A landscape architect has been contracted for a public park project. The owner requests a change
that will significantly alter the project scope. According to standard landscape architecture
practice, what document must be executed before the architect proceeds with the additional
work?
A. A field order
B. A change order
C. A notice to proceed
D. A certificate of substantial completion
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A change order is the formal document used to authorize changes to the contract
documents, including scope, cost, and schedule. It requires mutual agreement between the owner
and the contractor, and must be signed by all parties before work commences. Field orders are
used for minor changes, a notice to proceed authorizes the start of construction, and a certificate
of substantial completion indicates the project is ready for occupancy.
,Page 2 of 152
**Q2. (Application)**
A landscape architecture firm is preparing a contract for a residential design project. The client
insists on a clause that would hold the firm liable for any unforeseen site conditions discovered
during construction. Which principle makes this clause unreasonable for the landscape architect
to accept?
A. Standard of care
B. Fiduciary duty
C. Warranty of workmanship
D. Force majeure
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** The standard of care holds landscape architects to the level of skill and care
commonly exercised by other landscape architects in similar circumstances, not to guarantee
against all unforeseen conditions. A clause requiring liability for unforeseeable site conditions
would exceed the standard of care and be unreasonable. Fiduciary duty refers to acting in the
client's best interest; warranty of workmanship applies to contractors; force majeure covers
unforeseeable events beyond control.
---
**Q3. (Knowledge)**
Which of the following BEST describes a "practice act" in the context of landscape architecture
licensure?
A. A law that regulates the use of professional titles
B. A law that defines specific activities that only licensed professionals may perform
C. A law that provides a grace period for existing practitioners
D. A law that governs the reciprocity between states
,Page 3 of 152
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A practice act defines specific activities or behaviors that only a licensed
professional may perform. In contrast, a title act regulates how individuals represent themselves
(use of professional names), a grandfather clause provides a grace period, and reciprocity
governs recognition of licenses between jurisdictions.
---
**Q4. (Analysis)**
A landscape architect discovers that the construction documents contain an error that could affect
public safety. According to professional standards, what is the architect's PRIMARY ethical
obligation?
A. Notify the contractor immediately
B. Issue a corrective addendum
C. Notify the owner and regulatory authorities if necessary
D. Complete the project and correct the error later
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The primary ethical obligation is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the
public. The landscape architect must promptly notify the owner and, if warranted, regulatory
authorities. While notifying the contractor and issuing corrections are appropriate, they follow
the initial obligation to alert those with authority to address the issue.
---
**Q5. (Application)**
, Page 4 of 152
During construction, the contractor discovers that the existing site conditions differ from those
shown on the grading plan. The contractor requests a change that would reduce the project's
stormwater management capacity. What should the landscape architect do FIRST?
A. Approve the contractor's request
B. Issue a change order
C. Verify the discrepancy and assess impacts
D. Deny the request to maintain design intent
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The landscape architect's first responsibility is to verify the discrepancy and
assess its potential impacts on the overall design and regulatory compliance. Once verified, the
architect can evaluate alternative solutions and determine the appropriate course of action, which
may or may not involve a change order.
---
**Q6. (Comprehension)**
What is the primary purpose of the "Standard of Care" in professional liability cases involving
landscape architects?
A. To establish the minimum qualifications for licensure
B. To provide a benchmark for determining whether the professional acted negligently
C. To define the maximum liability a landscape architect can assume
D. To regulate the fees that landscape architects can charge
**Correct Answer: B**
LARE PRACTICE TEST 2026-2027: 250+
QUESTIONS & RATIONALES FOR ALL 4
SECTIONS | LATEST CLARB BLUEPRINT
ITSJEREGUIDES
## SECTION 1: PROJECT AND CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
### 1.1 CONTRACTS AND LEGAL DOCUMENTS
**Q1. (Comprehension)**
A landscape architect has been contracted for a public park project. The owner requests a change
that will significantly alter the project scope. According to standard landscape architecture
practice, what document must be executed before the architect proceeds with the additional
work?
A. A field order
B. A change order
C. A notice to proceed
D. A certificate of substantial completion
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A change order is the formal document used to authorize changes to the contract
documents, including scope, cost, and schedule. It requires mutual agreement between the owner
and the contractor, and must be signed by all parties before work commences. Field orders are
used for minor changes, a notice to proceed authorizes the start of construction, and a certificate
of substantial completion indicates the project is ready for occupancy.
,Page 2 of 152
**Q2. (Application)**
A landscape architecture firm is preparing a contract for a residential design project. The client
insists on a clause that would hold the firm liable for any unforeseen site conditions discovered
during construction. Which principle makes this clause unreasonable for the landscape architect
to accept?
A. Standard of care
B. Fiduciary duty
C. Warranty of workmanship
D. Force majeure
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** The standard of care holds landscape architects to the level of skill and care
commonly exercised by other landscape architects in similar circumstances, not to guarantee
against all unforeseen conditions. A clause requiring liability for unforeseeable site conditions
would exceed the standard of care and be unreasonable. Fiduciary duty refers to acting in the
client's best interest; warranty of workmanship applies to contractors; force majeure covers
unforeseeable events beyond control.
---
**Q3. (Knowledge)**
Which of the following BEST describes a "practice act" in the context of landscape architecture
licensure?
A. A law that regulates the use of professional titles
B. A law that defines specific activities that only licensed professionals may perform
C. A law that provides a grace period for existing practitioners
D. A law that governs the reciprocity between states
,Page 3 of 152
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A practice act defines specific activities or behaviors that only a licensed
professional may perform. In contrast, a title act regulates how individuals represent themselves
(use of professional names), a grandfather clause provides a grace period, and reciprocity
governs recognition of licenses between jurisdictions.
---
**Q4. (Analysis)**
A landscape architect discovers that the construction documents contain an error that could affect
public safety. According to professional standards, what is the architect's PRIMARY ethical
obligation?
A. Notify the contractor immediately
B. Issue a corrective addendum
C. Notify the owner and regulatory authorities if necessary
D. Complete the project and correct the error later
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The primary ethical obligation is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the
public. The landscape architect must promptly notify the owner and, if warranted, regulatory
authorities. While notifying the contractor and issuing corrections are appropriate, they follow
the initial obligation to alert those with authority to address the issue.
---
**Q5. (Application)**
, Page 4 of 152
During construction, the contractor discovers that the existing site conditions differ from those
shown on the grading plan. The contractor requests a change that would reduce the project's
stormwater management capacity. What should the landscape architect do FIRST?
A. Approve the contractor's request
B. Issue a change order
C. Verify the discrepancy and assess impacts
D. Deny the request to maintain design intent
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The landscape architect's first responsibility is to verify the discrepancy and
assess its potential impacts on the overall design and regulatory compliance. Once verified, the
architect can evaluate alternative solutions and determine the appropriate course of action, which
may or may not involve a change order.
---
**Q6. (Comprehension)**
What is the primary purpose of the "Standard of Care" in professional liability cases involving
landscape architects?
A. To establish the minimum qualifications for licensure
B. To provide a benchmark for determining whether the professional acted negligently
C. To define the maximum liability a landscape architect can assume
D. To regulate the fees that landscape architects can charge
**Correct Answer: B**
