If you want to become an architect, you have to start with education and licensure. To earn a new architect license in most states, you must generally complete the following standard licensing requirements as set by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB):
NCARB requires an degree from a bachelor’s or master’s degree program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
A comparable degree or additional experience may be accepted to fulfill the education requirement, depending on the state. Many states will also accept an architecture degree from a Canadian university certified by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB). They may also accept Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA).
In addition to education, NCARB requires experience in the field through the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) for general architects, which requires 3,740 hours of experience under the guidance of a licensed professional in the field.
The AXP was formerly called the Intern Development Program (IDP). NCARB’s board of directors renamed it in 2016
You must also pass the Architect Registration Exam (ARE) for general architects as per NCARB. The ARE has various divisions that test you in health, welfare and safety (HWS). It costs $1,410.
Note: To keep your license active, most states require architects to earn continuing education hours (CEH) in HWS topics every year.
You will also need to submit an application and pay the required fees according to the laws of your state.
Select states also require special classes or exams that focus on location-dependent challenges for practicing architects in that state, such as arctic engineering training in Alaska.
If you plan to apply for licensure in multiple states, the NCARB certificate gives you the flexibility to apply for licensure more easily through reciprocity. It promotes standards between the boards in all 55 U.S. jurisdictions and is part of many states’ licensure process. It can even help you get licensed in Mexico, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
The list is in alphabetical order. Find your state below to learn how to get your architecture license.
The Alabama Board of Architects processes the state’s architect registrations. For initial registration, the board requires:
You need to provide an NCARB certificate for reciprocal registration and pay a fee of $150. Applicants must also provide a citizenship affidavit and accompanying documents.
Licenses expire on December 31 each year and pay a $135 renewal fee. Architects must complete 12 CEH every calendar year to complete renewal.
While there an NCARB certificate isn’t required for reciprocal registration, applicants must meet other education and experience requirements, and complete the jurisprudence questionnaire and cold region course. The reciprocal registration fee is also $300.
All architectural registrations lapse on December 31 of odd-numbered years. For registrations first issued on or before December 31, the renewal fee is $100; registrations issued on or after January 1 are $50. Architects must complete 24 CEH for renewal, reported every two years.
Arizona doesn’t require a degree from an NAAB-accredited program. Alternatively, the board accepts 60 months of experience instead of education to qualify for the ARE, and 96 months of experience to qualify for initial registration with no higher education. Candidates with a four-year non-NAAB architecture degree must add 48 months of experience to register.
The board will also accept architecture degrees certified by the CACB and EESA Evaluations.
An NCARB certificate isn’t required for reciprocal registration. However, applicants must meet the 96-month education/experience requirement. Additional evidence of experience may be required. The reciprocal registration fee is also $325.
Architect registration is valid for three years from the date of issuance. There is no CE requirement to renew and a $225 registration renewal fee.
You need to provide an NCARB certificate for reciprocal registration and pay a fee of $250.
Architects must renew their licenses annually by July 31 and complete 12 CEH of continuing education. Renewal fees are $100.
The California Architects Board considers three distinct components of an individual’s architectural development: education, experience, and examination. A candidate can get an architecture license if they can show that they have fulfilled the following requirements:
While an NCARB certificate isn’t required for reciprocal registration, applicants must fill out a jurisprudence-specific application and complete the CSE. They must also fulfill other education and experience requirements. The reciprocal registration fee is also $35.
California architect licenses need renewal every two years and expire at midnight on the final day of the licensee’s birth month in odd-numbered years. The cost to renew your license is $400. Architects must complete and report five CEH between renewals.
Colorado doesn’t require a degree from an NAAB-accredited program. As an alternative, applicants with a pre-professional or four-year architecture degree must demonstrate 7,540 hours of experience. Applicants with other bachelor’s and associate’s degrees must document 11,300 to 15,060 hours, depending on the degree. Applicants with a high school education must show 18,800 hours.
The board will also accept architecture degrees certified by the CACB and EESA Evaluations.
An NCARB certificate isn’t required for reciprocal registration. However, applicants must meet the experience requirements. For example, the board might accept five years of licensed practice with attestation of meeting the intent of the AXP as an alternative. The reciprocal registration fee is also $100.
Architect licenses expire on October 31 every two years. Licensees must complete 12 CEH to renew. The board evaluates and sets renewal fees based on actual operating expenditures.
You need to provide an NCARB certificate for reciprocal registration and pay a fee of $100.
Licenses are renewable annually and expire on July 31st. Each renewal must be accompanied by proof of 12 CEH and a non-refundable renewal fee of $190.
Candidates can apply with the Board of Architects. They require the following for initial registration:
If you already have an NCARB certificate, you can apply for your license via reciprocity without taking the exam. However, a certificate is not required. Architects without the AXP must register directly, show documentation of three years of licensing, and present five years of architecture work experience.
Delaware architect licenses expire on Jan. 31 of even years. Architects must pay a renewal fee and submit proof of completion of continuing education requirements. These include either:
Florida’s requirements are standard making it easy to get your license. The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design requires:
If you are coming from another state and have a certificate or license there, you can apply for a certified endorsement in Florida, which will enable you to work in the state. Generally, applicants must:
Architects need to renew active licenses by February 28 of every odd-numbered year. Renewal applications require a fee and 24 CEH, of which architects must complete two hours in the Florida Building Code category. The renewal fee is $125.
If you have a certificate from the NCARB, you can apply without re-taking the exam. The board reviews reciprocal applications every two months. It costs $55 to apply.
Architects must renew registrations before June 30th of odd-numbered years. They must complete 24 CEH (16 CEH must be HSW topics) between renewals, and pay a renewal fee of $90.
There are various paths to licensure in Hawaii. The Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors & Landscape Architects issues licenses in Hawaii. To become a licensed architect in Hawaii, you must:
Education minimums include:
If you have a license in another state or a certificate from the NCARB, you can apply for your license via endorsement without re-taking the exam but must meet the board’s education, experience and exam requirements. The endorsement fee is $150.
Licenses expire on April 30 of each even-numbered year. You must complete 16 hours of continuing education during each two years and pay a $204 fee.
While you don’t need a professional degree from an NAAB-accredited program to register, you must meet alternative requirements. Candidates must document eight years of experience and complete the AXP to satisfy requirements.
If you are licensed in another U.S. state, you may qualify for your license through endorsement if the qualifications in the other state are similar. The fee to apply is $50.
Idaho architect licenses are renewed annually by the licensee’s birth date, and licensees must complete 12 CEH each year. The renewal fee is $50.
The Illinois Architecture Licensing Board issues architect licenses within the state. To apply for a license in this state, you must have:
If you have a license in another state, you can apply via endorsement without taking the exam. While an NCARB certificate is not required, applicants must meet Illinois requirements at the time of their original licensure. If you were licensed after 1998, you must document AXP completion even if it was not required previously.
The exception is architects licensed before 1998, who are exempt. The board will accept five years of licensed practice with the attestation of meeting the intent of the AXP. All endorsement applicants must submit the affidavit. This application fee costs $100.
Licenses expire on November 30th of even-numbered years. Architects must complete 24 hours of CEH (16 hours on HSW topics) to be eligible for renewal. The fee is $60.
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency follows national standards for professional licensing requirements. Requirements include:
To apply without an NCARB record, you must complete the application, share transcripts, an architect training and experience report (IDP), verification of employment or reference and a certificate of licensure. The application fee is $520.
If you want to apply by reciprocity with an NCARB record, complete the application, pay a fee of $220, and request that your NCARB file be made available to Indiana. An NCARB certificate is not required for reciprocity, but you must meet the board’s educational and professional requirements.
Architect licenses expire on December 31 of odd-numbered years. Licensees must complete 24 CEH (16 hours on HSW topics) between renewal periods. The renewal fee is $120.
To earn your architect license in Iowa, the Architectural Examining Board requires:
If you are licensed in another state, you must have a certificate from the NCARB to apply via reciprocity. The application comes with a $200 fee.
Licenses for individuals with last names A-K renew by June 30 in even years, and licenses for people with last names L-Z renew by June 30 in odd years. Licensees must complete 24 hours of continuing education between renewal periods. Renewals cost $200.
If you are licensed in another state, you can pay the $250 application fee and complete the application to apply via reciprocity. An NCARB certification is not required.
Architects must renew their licenses every two years on June 30. Individuals with last names A-L renew in even-numbered years; individuals with last names M-Z renew in odd-numbered years. All licensees must complete 30 CEH. The renewal fee is $70.
The Kentucky Board of Architects issues architecture licenses statewide. The board requires:
If you want to apply by reciprocity, you must have an active NCARB certificate. The application fee is $200, and a $125 licensure fee after the application is approved.
All licenses must be renewed annually by June 30, with proof of completing 12 hours of continuing education each year to remain eligible. The renewal fee is $125.
The Louisiana State Board of Architectural Examiners follows the NCARB requirements for architect licenses. You’ll need a:
If you are licensed in another state and have a certificate from the NCARB, you will need to have your record transmitted to Louisiana. The board will review your record and, if approved, will grant your license. Registration costs $150 ($300 if out of state).
The licensure period for individual architects runs from January 1 through December 31 each year. Licensees must complete 12 hours of continuing education for renewal and pay a fee of $90 ($175 if out of state).
You can apply for the licensure without a degree from an NAAB-accredited program. As an alternative the board requires applicants with a four-year, pre-professional architecture degree to demonstrate nine years of experience. Applicants with other bachelor’s degrees or higher education must show 11 years of experience. High school graduates need only 13 years of experience.
While an NCARB certificate isn’t required for reciprocal registration, applicants must meet other education and experience requirements. The reciprocal registration fee is also $141.
Licenses expire annually on June 30 and cost $70 to renew. Maine does not have any continuing education requirements for architects.
The Maryland Board of Architects awards licenses in the state. They require applicants to
An architectural degree from a CACB-certified university is accepted, as is an EESA Evaluation.
Maryland architects aren’t required to have an NAAB-accredited degree to apply for licensure, but they must fulfill alternative requirements.
Applicants with a four-year, pre-professional degree in architecture must document four years of experience as an alternative to the education requirement. Applicants with a four-year design-related degree must document five years of experience. Applicants with any other bachelor’s degree or higher education must document six years of experience. Applicants with a high school education only must document 10 years of experience.
Licenses are renewed every two years, and licensees must complete 24 hours of continuing education during each renewal period to remain eligible. The renewal fee is $76.
If you have a license in another state and have a certificate from the NCARB, you can apply without an exam via reciprocity. There is a $338 application fee for reciprocity.
Licenses are renewed annually and expire on August 31. License holders must complete 12 CEH, which must be HSW topics each year. The renewal fee is $125.
To get an architecture license in Michigan, you need to apply through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs – Board of Architects. They require:
While an NCARB certificate isn’t required for reciprocal registration, applicants must meet other education, exam and experience requirements. The reciprocal registration fee is also $100.
Licenses expire on October 31 every two years. To renew a license, architects must complete 24 hours of continuing education and pay a renewal fee of $70.
Applicants for an architecture license in Minnesota must have:
The Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design (AELSLAGID) does not require an NCARB certificate for reciprocity licensing. However, before being issued a license, candidates must meet the jurisdiction’s education, examination, and experience requirements.
Even if you have an NCARB certificate, reciprocity applicants must meet Minnesota’s statutes and rules in effect at the time of original licensure. There is a reciprocity fee of $75 and a licensure fee of $120.
Licenses expire on June 30 of even-numbered years. Licensees must complete 24 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period, of which two hours must be in professional ethics. There is a $120 fee for renewals.
According to The Mississippi State Board of Architecture, the license requirements follow those set by the NCARB. You must have:
For those who have already gained licensure out of state, you can transmit your NCARB credential to Mississippi to apply for direct licensure. The reciprocity fee is $275 for residents and $450 for non-residents.
Licenses are up for renewal on November 30 every odd year. Licensees must complete 12 hours of continuing education in each calendar year (24 hours in each renewal period). The renewal fee is $275 for residents and $350 for non-residents.
An NCARB certificate is required for a reciprocal license. If you do not have an NCARB certification but have been licensed for at least one year in another state with no disciplinary action, complaints, or investigation and meet the educational requirements in that state, you may also apply. The reciprocity license fee is $200.
Architects must renew their licenses by December 31 every two years. Licensees must complete 24 CEH (16 hours must be HSW topics) in each renewal period. There is a $35 renewal fee.
An NCARB certificate is required for a reciprocal license. Applicants must also provide verification of the states they are licensed in. The reciprocity license fee is $180.
Renewals occur annually by June 30. Applicants must complete 12 CEH in HSW each year. You must pay a renewal fee of $55.
To earn your architect license in Nebraska, you’ll need to submit an application to the Board of Engineers and Architects. They require:
You don’t need an NCARB certificate for a comity (reciprocal) license. However, you must have 15 years of experience to be accepted for reciprocal registration. Applicants must also complete the open book exam on professional practice in Nebraska. The reciprocity fee is $150.
You must renew by December 31 every two years. Licensees with last names A-K renew in odd years, and L-Z renew in even years. Nebraska requires 24 hours of continuing education, of which one hour must be related to ethics. The renewal fee is $80.
The Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design (NSBAIDRD) requires architectural applicants to be at least 21 years of age to receive a license. Aspiring architects can meet the other licensing requirements, including:
Additionally, applicants must be sworn in as a final step in registration.
You will need an NCARB certificate for reciprocity. Applicants must complete the open-book jurisdiction examination on Nevada laws and regulations. The reciprocity fee is $300.
Licenses must be renewed each year by December 31. Architects must complete eight CEH annually, of which two hours must be in code-related learning opportunities. The annual registration fee is $180.
