California architect license requirements

The NCARB Certificate indicates a licensee has met the national licensure standard and facilitates reciprocal licensure for candidates wishing to practice in other member jurisdictions.

Detailed information is available about each examination in their respective section of this website. Professional Degree in Architecture A professional degree in architecture, where the program has not been accredited by NAAB or CACB and the program consists of at least a five-year curriculum, or units toward such a degree. Associates Degree in Architecture An associates degree in architecture or technical school certificate in architecture, where the program has not been accredited by NAAB or CACB and the program consists of at least a two-year curriculum, or units toward such a degree.

Professional Degree in a Field Related to Architecture A degree which consists of at least a five-year curriculum in a field related to architecture or units toward such a degree. Bachelors Degree in a Field Related to Architecture A degree which consists of at least a four-year curriculum in a field related to architecture or units toward such a degree.

Professional Degree Any university or college degree which consists of at least a five-year curriculum or units toward such a degree. Bachelors Degree Any university or college degree which consists of at least a four-year curriculum or units toward such a degree. Already Licensed in Another Jurisdiction? Individual Licenses. Licenses by State. Business Organization Requirements.

Incorporation Qualification Registered Agent. California Architecture Industry Licensing. Filter Licenses Clear Filters. Company Licenses Architecture Firm. Interior Design Firm. Landscape Architecture Firm. Individual Licenses Architect. Interior Designer. Landscape Architect. Each director, shareholder, and officer of a PC must be licensed. Notes: California does not issue firm licenses at the state level, however, licensed architects must submit a business entity report form and file an updated report within 30 days of a change in firm information.

Initial Registration This section applies to architectural firms that are applying for a license in California for the first time. Renewal Not Required This section applies to architectural firms that are already licensed in California and need to renew their license. Not required Business entity reports only need to be re-filed when there is a change of information.

California does not currently license or register interior design businesses. Reciprocal Registration This section applies to architects licensed in another state that are looking for reciprocal licensure in California. Registration Renewal This section applies to architects that are already licensed in California and need to renew their license. Notes: Renewal forms are sent in the mail about 90 days prior to the expiration date. Key Terms. You can get a license without taking the exam if you have a license in another state and have a valid certificate from the National Council of Architecture Registration Board or if your initial license requirements are deemed equivalent to the current requirements.

Licenses expire annually, but Maine does not have any continuing education requirements for architects. Maryland requires architects to pass the Architectural Registration Examination to get their license. To qualify for the test, you need an accredited degree in architecture, a combination of education and work experience or 10 years of documented work experience for architects within the state. Licenses are renewed every two years, and licensees must complete 24 hours of continuing education during each renewal period to remain eligible.

To get licensed, Massachusetts requires architects to have an accredited degree in architecture. Additionally, you must meet the other requirements set by the National Council of Architecture Registration Board including being enrolled in the Architect Experience Program and passing the Architect Registration Exam. If you have a license in another state and have a certificate from the National Council of Architecture Registration Board, you can apply without an exam via reciprocity.

Licenses are renewed annually, and license holders must complete 12 hours of continuing education each year and pay the renewal fee. To get an architecture license in Michigan , you need a degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, a completed qualifying experience program and evidence of passing all sections of the required exam.

If you are coming from out of state, you can apply without taking the exam if you have a certificate from the National Council of Architecture Registration Board. Applications must be submitted online. Then, applicants need to fulfill all requirements within one year or the application will be closed.

To renew a license, architects must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years and pay a renewal fee.

Applicants for an architecture license in Minnesota will need to earn a degree in architecture from an accredited school or the equivalent as determined by the Education Evaluation Services for Architects EESA.

You must also complete the Architecture Experience Program and pass all six divisions of the Architect Registration Examination. With a certificate from the National Council of Architecture Registration Board, licensed architects from out of state can apply for licensure through reciprocity. Licensees must complete 24 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period, of which two hours must be in professional ethics.

You must complete an educational program that is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board and the Architect Experience Program. For those who have already gained licensure out of state, you can transmit your credential to Mississippi to apply for direct licensure. Licenses are up for renewal each odd year, and licensees must complete 12 hours of continuing education in each calendar year 24 hours in each renewal period. Missouri follows the National Council of Architectural Registration Board criteria when it comes to architect licensure.

You must earn a degree in architecture from an accredited program, complete the qualifying experience program and earn passing scores on all portions of the Architect Registration Exam.

For those who are licensed in another state, your application can be streamlined by transmitting your National Council of Architectural Registration Board certificate to the state board. Architects must renew their licenses every two years, and licensees must complete 24 hours of continuing education in each renewal period.

Montana architects who want to earn their license will need a degree in architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board or the equivalent. Applicants must also submit proof of enrollment in an approved experience program under a licensed architect and establish a record with the National Council of Architectural Registration Board NCARB.

Once qualified, you can apply to take the licensing exam. But to qualify to sit for the test, you first need to earn a degree in architecture from an accredited school and enroll in a qualifying experience program. You must renew bi-annually, with last names A-K renewing in odd years and L-Z renewing in even years. Nebraska typically requires 24 hours of continuing education, of which 16 hours must address the safeguarding of life, health and property.

Nevada requires architectural applicants to be at least 21 years of age to receive a license. Aspiring architects can meet the other licensing requirements by:. Licenses must be renewed each year and must complete eight hours of continuing education annually, of which two hours must be in code-related learning opportunities. In New Hampshire , you must be 21 years of age and demonstrate a combination of education and experience totaling 13 years to apply for the architect license exam. Applicants must also provide a minimum of five professional references, and three of them must be licensed architects who have personally worked with the applicant.

Licenses must be renewed every two years and license holders must complete 12 hours of continuing education annually 24 hours in every renewal period. New Jersey requires prospective architects applying for a license to hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in architecture from an institute with an accredited architecture program, or education that the board deems equivalent.

You must also complete three years of practical board-approved experience. After meeting the above requirements, you will qualify to take the exam. Also, candidates must attend an online, self-paced jurisprudence orientation session. Renewals are processed bi-annually in odd-numbered years. Licensed architects must also complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years, which includes 16 hours in health, safety and welfare and eight hours in Practice of Architecture.

In New Mexico, architects who want to get a license will apply directly through the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. You must meet all standard national requirements including having a degree in architecture from an accredited program, completing an approved Architectural Experience Program and passing the Architect Registration Examination. Once you complete the requirements, you can request to transfer all your profile information to the New Mexico Board of Examiners for Architects for consideration of a license.

All licenses are good for two years and license holders must complete 12 hours of continuing education per calendar year, or 24 hours per renewal period. If you want to become a licensed architect in New York , you must be 21 years or older when you apply for the exam. You will also have a combination of education and practical work experience that equals eight years. Although, you can still qualify if you have 10 years of lawful practice outside of the state and no formal post-secondary education.

Once you qualify to take the Architect Registration Exam, you must pass all portions. Renewal periods are every three years. To renew, licensees must complete 36 hours of continuing education every three years and pay the renewal fee. You will need to meet all the standard requirements including an accredited degree in architecture, completion of a qualifying experience program and passing Architect Registration Exam ARE scores.

Once all NCARB requirements have been met, you can request a transfer of records to the North Carolina Board of Architecture for review and consideration of a new license. You can also skip the exam if you have completed it in another state and have proof. Architect license renewal periods are annually in July, and licensees must pay the renewal fee and submit proof of 12 hours of continuing education completed during the calendar year before the renewal year.

The record will need to include the national uniform application, a degree from a National Architectural Accrediting Board-accredited program, proof of completion of an Architecture Experience Program and passing scores for all sections of the Architect Registration Exam ARE.

Applications via reciprocity are available for those who are licensed from out of state. Architectural licenses are renewable every odd year for a fee, and there are no continuing education requirements for architects in North Dakota.

To qualify for a new license in Ohio , architects must have an accredited degree in architecture or the equivalent as determined by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board. The Ohio Architects Board also requires candidates to meet all other national requirements by completing an approved experience program and passing all portions of the Architect Registration Exam. License renewals are in every odd year and must be accompanied by the renewal fee and proof of 12 hours of continuing education.

To get a new architect license in Oklahoma , you must hold an accredited degree in architecture, complete the Architect Experience Program and pass all sections of the Architect Registration Exam. As part of the application process, you will also need to complete an open-book test of the Oklahoma Acts and Rules. Oklahoma offers several exceptions for when a license is not required of practicing architects.