Going out on your own
How to start a landscape architecture practice in Ontario
Landscape architects design outdoor and public spaces — parks, streetscapes, campuses, green infrastructure, and site plans. "Landscape architect" is a protected title in Ontario; you earn it through an accredited degree, mentored experience, and the LARE — and it is a different profession from the landscaping trade.
Landscape Architect at a glance
- Credential
- Reserved title — OALA Full membership to call yourself a landscape architect
- Path in
- CSLA-accredited degree → mentored experience (PDP) → LARE exam
- Regulated by
- Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA)
- Insurance baseline
- Professional liability (E&O) for a design practice
- Professional body
- Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA)
You must be licensed first. A practice can only offer landscape architect services to the public once it holds the regulator’s firm authorization, which requires a licensed principal and professional liability insurance. Sort the firm authorization before you take work.
The steps to start your practice
- 1
Set up your landscape architecture practice
To offer landscape architecture services you need OALA-registered landscape architects and professional liability (E&O) insurance. Incorporate, set up your accounts, and carry E&O before taking on clients.
Full guide: Insurance - 2
Incorporate (or form a professional corporation)
Most professionals incorporate to limit liability and for tax efficiency. Several regulated professions (architects, engineers) can form a professional corporation with a Certificate of Authorization — confirm the right entity type with your regulator before filing.
Full guide: Incorporation - 3
Set up your CRA accounts
Register for a Business Number, HST/GST (mandatory above $30,000 in revenue), payroll if you will hire, and corporate income tax. Professional service fees are HST-taxable.
Full guide: CRA Registration - 4
Carry professional liability (E&O) insurance
Errors & omissions insurance is the core coverage for a professional practice — and a firm-authorization condition for regulated professions. It protects against claims arising from your professional advice, designs, or certifications.
Full guide: Insurance - 5
Stand up your practice operations
Business banking, professional accounting, engagement letters and contracts, and the project and document workflows a practice runs on. This is the back office that keeps you paid and protected.
Full guide: Operational Setup
Your launch checklist
The whole page in one list.
- Set up your landscape architecture practice
- Incorporate (or form a professional corporation)
- Set up your CRA accounts
- Carry professional liability (E&O) insurance
- Stand up your practice operations
Let AEC Stack handle the business side
Incorporation, CRA, insurance, and the operations to run a practice, set up so you can focus on the professional work.
Start your practice