Board of Licensure for Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers - Licensing - Architect, Landscape Architect, Certified Interior Designer

How to apply

Requirements

General Requirements for All Applicants

Please contact NCARB directly to register to sit for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). 
Completion of education and experience are not required to sit for the exam.

• Click here for pathways to qualifications (PDF)

Requirements if Applying by Examination

Applicants should add all evidence of satisfying the requirements for licensure to their National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) record. An applicant who graduated from a non-accredited program or who earned their degree in a foreign country may be required, at the applicant's expense, to obtain an NCARB Evaluation Report by the the Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA), which is administered by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

Applicants should contact NCARB and request that their NCARB Record be transmitted directly to the board. 

An applicant may qualify for licensure as an architect by demonstrating:

• Achievement of a passing grade on each division of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE);
• Providing Evidence of the educational and experience requirements for one of the following pathways to licensure:

1. Professional Degree from an NAAB Accredited Program - A Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture or equivalent or higher degree from an academic institution in the United States and the degree program was accredited by NAAB not later than two years after the degree was received; and demonstrating completion of the Architectural Experience Program (ACP).
2. Professional Degree in Architecture from a Program Accredited or Certified by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) - A Bachelor of Architecture or equivalent or higher degree from an academic institution in Canada and the degree program was accredited by CACB not later than two (2) years after the degree was received or the degree was from a Canadian university that was certified by CACB; and completion of the either the Canadian Provincial Internship in Architecture Program or the NCARB Architectural Experience Program (AXP). 
3. Professional Degree from a Non-Accredited Program - A professional degree from an an architectural degree program that was neither accredited or certified, but which substantially satisfies the credit hour and area distribution requirements for coursework set forth in the NCARB Education Standard; and at least three (3) years of full time architectural work experience that includes a combination of experience gained under the direct supervision of an experienced  and licensed architect and completion of the NCARB Architectural Experience Program (AXP). 
4. Pre-Professional Degree - A 4-year baccalaureate degree with an concentration in architecture that is a component of an NAAB-accredited , CACB-accredited or CACB-certified professional degree program, including but not limited to Bachelor of Science of Architecture, Architectural Studies, or a major in architecture or a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture and at least nine (9) years of full time architectural work experience that includes a combination of experience gained under the direct supervision of an experienced and licensed architect and the completion of the NCARB Architectural Experience Program (AXP).
5. Degree in a Field Other Than Architecture - A bachelor's degree or higher in a field other than architecture; and at least eleven (11) years of full time architectural work experience that includes a combination of experience gained under the direct supervision of an experienced and licensed architect and the completion of the NCARB Architectural Experience Program (AXP).
6. Experience Only - At least thirteen (13) years of full time architectural work experience that includes a combination of experience gained under the direct supervision of an experienced and licensed architect and the completion of the NCARB Architectural Experience Program (AXP).

Requirements if Applying by Certification

• Verification of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Certification
• Verification of an active architect license issued by another state

Requirements if Applying by Endorsement

• Proof of an active architect license issued by another U.S. jurisdiction

     Applicants applying for licensure by endorsement must have an active architect license issued by another A.S. jurisdiction that maintains substantially equivalent license requirements. An applicant must be in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the applicant holds or has held a license. 

"Substantially equivalent license requirements" means that the jurisdiction maintains a pathway for initial licensure that at a minimum requires:

• Documented proof of a Bachelor, Masters or Doctorate degree of Architecture and the degree program was accredited by NAAB or satisfied the credit hours and area distribution requirements for coursework as set forth in the NCARB Education Standard. 
• Completion of the NCARB Architectural Experience Program, or its equivalent consisting of practical experience under the direct supervision of an experienced architect.
• Passage of the the Architectural Experience Program developed by NCARB or its successor organization. 

Renewal fees and information

Requirements

• A late fee of $50.00 is assessed for licenses renewed after June 30.
• A person who submits an application for renewal more than 90 days after the license expiration date is subject to all requirements governing new applicants and is required to reapply with original license application, documentation and fees.
• The Board may, at its discretion, waive the examination requirement for applicants applying for reinstatement within two years of the license expiration date.
• Renewal reminders are emailed to the email address on file at least 30 days prior to the license expiration date. It is the licensee's responsibility to keep the Board informed of current contact information and to see that the license is renewed.

How to apply

Requirements

Requirements if applying for Licensure by Examination

Candidates for examination must provide verification of completion experience and/or education required for the pathway to licensure. 

Persons seeking to take the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE) through the Professional Degree from an Accredited Degree pathway should contact the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) directly to register to sit for the exam. Exam candidates seeking licensure through other pathways are required to contact the board to apply to sit for the exam. 

An applicant may qualify for licensure as an landscape architect by demonstrating:

• Achievement of a passing grade on each division of the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE);

and

• Providing evidence of the experience and/or education requirements for one of the following pathways to licensure: 

1. Professional Degree from an Accredited Program - A Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture or equivalent or higher degree, from a program that was accredited by LAAB or the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Accreditation Council not later than two (2) years after the degree was received; and two (2) years of experience in the regulated practice of landscape architecture, with a minimum of one (1) year under the direct supervision of a a licensed landscape architect, and up to one (1) year of the remaining experience under the direct supervision of a licensed professional in a related field. 
2. Professional Degree from a Non-Accredited Program - A Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture or equivalent or higher degree, from a program that was not accredited; and four (4) years of experience in the regulated practice of landscape architecture, with a minimum of two (2) year under the direct supervision of a a licensed landscape architect, and up to two (2) year of the remaining experience under the direct supervision of a licensed professional in a related field. 
3. Other Professional Degree - A bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally-accredited institution in a field other than landscape architecture; and six (6) years of experience in the regulated practice of landscape architecture, with a minimum of three (3) year under the direct supervision of a a licensed landscape architect, and up to three (3) year of the remaining experience under the direct supervision of a licensed professional in a related field. 
4. Experience Only - At least eight (8) years of experience in the regulated practice of landscape architecture, with a minimum of four (4) year under the direct supervision of a a licensed landscape architect, and up to four (4) year of the remaining experience under the direct supervision of a licensed professional in a related field. 

Applicants applying through the Professional Degree from an Accredited Program pathway should provide all evidence of satisfying the requirements for licensure to the Council of landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) and direct CLARB  to transmit their CLARB record, including evidence of having passed all divisions of the Landscape Architectural Registration Examination (LARE) directly to the board. 

Applicants applying through pathways 2-4 should submit applicable transcripts, evidence of completion of experience and proof of passage of all divisions of the LARE to the board.

Requirements if Applying by Certification

• Verification of the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Certification
• Verification of an active architect license issued by another state

• Pathways to qualifications PDF

Renewal fees and information

Requirements

• A late fee of $50.00 is assessed for licenses renewed after June 30.
• A person who submits an application for renewal more than 90 days after the license expiration date is subject to all requirements governing new applicants and is required to reapply with original license application, documentation and fees.
• The Board may, at its discretion, waive the examination requirement for applicants applying for reinstatement within two years of the license expiration date.
• Renewal reminders are emailed to the email address on file at least 30 days prior to the license expiration date. It is the licensee's responsibility to keep the Board informed of current contact information and to see that the license is renewed.

How to apply

Requirements

General Requirements for all applicants

• Credit Card Application if wish to authorize payment of fees by VISA or MasterCard.
• Board Rules Chapter 14

Requirements for Original Certification

EDUCATION - Applicant must meet education/experience requirements as set forth in Board Rules Chapter 14.

EXAMINATION - Each applicant must provide to the Board proof of passing the examination administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ).

Requirements for Applicants Licensed in Another State

All applications and forms required of original certification (above) AND

Verification of Certification from another state in which applicant is licensed or certified as an interior designer.

Renewal fees and information

Requirements

• A late fee of $50.00 is assessed for licenses renewed after June 30.
• A person who submits an application for renewal more than 90 days after the license expiration date is subject to all requirements governing new applicants and is required to reapply with original license application, documentation and fees.
• The Board may, at its discretion, waive the examination requirement for applicants applying for reinstatement within two years of the license expiration date.
• Renewal reminders are emailed to the email address on file at least 30 days prior to the license expiration date. It is the licensee's responsibility to keep the Board informed of current contact information and to see that the license is renewed.