Architects - Licensing
Qualifications For A License
Individual License
- Hold a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB);
- Enroll in the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards' (NCARB) Intern Development Program (IDP) one year prior to applying for the exam;and
- Successfully complete the Intern Development Program.
- Successfully pass the Architecture Registration Examination.
Applicants for the A.R.E. are not required to reside in Arkansas. However, nonresident applicants must satisfy the Arkansas Requirements for licensure.
To Become Licensed by Reciprocity:
- Hold a current Certificate from NCARB;
- Hold a current license to practice architecture in another state;
- Hold a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB); and
- Completion of the Intern Development Program;
- Request the Arkansas application Form from NCARB. Complete the Application Form and submit a certified check or money order payable to the Arkansas State Board of Architects in the amount of $250.00 to NCARB. Send the completed application and fee to NCARB.
A Certificate of Registration from the Arkansas State Board of Architects issued to an architect entitles that person to assume the title of "Architect" and practice the profession of architecture in Arkansas. Practice in any other manner, such as a firm, business corporation, partnership, limited liability corporation, etc., requires additional registration.
Instructions For Completion Of Application For Individual And Professional Organization Registration
Individual License
Complete all applicable items on the application form. Your completed application, with the appropriate fees, should be directed to NCARB in Washington D.C. for processing. Applications will not be considered without the required fee of $250.00 certified check or money order made payable to the Arkansas State Board of Architects.
The Arkansas State Board of Architects requires that all applications for registration by reciprocity be accompanied by an NCARB Blue Cover Council Certificate. Upon receipt of the Council Certification in this office, your application will be reviewed and processed.
A Certificate of Registration from this board issued to an architect entitles that person to assume the title of "Architect" and practice the profession of architecture in Arkansas. If you practice in any manner other than as an individual, additional registration is required. Arkansas Code Annotated Section 17-15-303 and Arkansas State Board of Architect Rules and Regulations Section VIII (A) (1) require registration of all firms, corporations, partnerships, and limited liability corporations engaged in the practice of architecture in Arkansas.
Professional Organization License
Arkansas State Board of Architects Rules and Regulations Section VIII (A)(I) states as follows: "Any corporation and any partnership, whether organized under the laws of this or any other jurisdiction, may not offer to engage in or engage in the practice of architecture in the State of Arkansas until such corporation or partnership has obtained a certificate of authorization issued by the Board." Therefore, your firm may not practice architecture until you have become registered with the Board. If your firm does not have a professional organization license issued by the Board, your firm’s name cannot appear on the plans, display signs etc.
To be eligible for a professional organization license, two-thirds (2/3) of the partners, if a partnership, or two-thirds (2/3) of the directors, if a corporation must be registered under the laws of any state to practice architecture or engineering; and the person having the practice of architecture in his or her charge must be a partner, if a partnership, or a director, if a corporation, and registered to practice architecture in Arkansas.
The title block must contain only the names and seals of the licensed design professionals who performed the work and who hold a current license in Arkansas. A firm not holding a current professional organization license in Arkansas cannot put the name of the firm on the title block.
Once you have determined that you are qualified to become a professional organization license, your must do the following:
- Complete an application supplied by the Board.
- If applying as a corporation, this application must be accompanied by articles of incorporation certified by the state secretary of state of the jurisdiction on which the corporation is organized. If applying as a partnership or limited liability organization, the application must be accompanied by a certified copy of the articles or organization.
- If your corporation is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than Arkansas, you must register your foreign corporation with the Arkansas Secretary of State and include a copy of the registration from the Arkansas Secretary of State with the application. The telephone number for the Arkansas Secretary of State's office is (501) 682-1010.
- A fee must accompany the application. The current fees are $250.00 for Resident and $250.00 for Non-Resident.
- The Certificates of Authorization must be renewed annually by the 31st of December. If you allow your certificate to lapse, you may not practice as a professional organization. Renewals of lapsed certificates of authorization are at the discretion of the Board. If you are allowed to renew, you must pay a penalty fee in addition to the renewal fee.
- Any changes which occur in the information provided on your application must be reported to the Board within thirty (30) days of the change.
Documents
Architects - Renewal Information
Individual licenses must be renewed by July 31st annually.
Your renewal must be received in the Board office by 4:30p.m. CST on July 31 or postmarked by July 31st.
The Arkansas State Board of Architects does not offer “inactive” status for individual license holders.
All individual licenses will expire on July 31 and shall become invalid on August 1 unless renewed. Renewals received after July 31 will require a late fee(s) and continuing education penalty fee(s) in addition to renewal fees.
Renewal Deadline July 31.
Individual License – Online Renewal
Online renewal is a fast and efficient way to renew your individual license. If you renew online, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted as forms of payment. Online renewals processed after July 31st will require a late fee(s) in addition to the renewal fee and continuing education penalty fee(s).
If you choose to utilize the board’s online renewal process, you will not be required to provide documentation of your continuing education at time of license renewal. however, if you are selected for random audit you are required to provide documents that substantiate your continuing education provided at the time of your online renewal.
Online renewal is not available until July 1.
Individual License – Paper Renewal
If you prefer not to utilize the Board’s online renewal process, you may complete and return the 2011 – 2012 Individual Architect Active Status Renewal Form. Please note that your completed renewal form and fee MUST be RECEIVED in the Board office by 4:30p.m. CST on July 31 or postmarked by July 31, 2011. Make check payable to the ASBALAID in the amount of $100.00. Renewals received AFTER July 31, 2011 will require a late fee(s) and continuing education penalty fee(s) in addition to renewal fees.
If you choose not to utilize the board’s online renewal process, you are required to provide documentation of your continuing education at time of license renewal. failure to provide the required documents will result in late fee(s) and continuing education penalty fee(s) in addition to renewal fees.
Individual License – Continuing Education
The Arkansas State Board of Architects adopts regulations setting the minimum standards of continuing education to ensure that all registered architects remain informed of those technical and professional subjects which the Board deems appropriate to professional architectural practice. Failure to satisfy such minimum standards shall be grounds for non-renewal of an architect’s individual certificate of registration.
How much Continuing Education is required?
Each Arkansas registered architect is required to complete a minimum of twelve (12) continuing education hours each fiscal year. One continuing education hour (CEH) shall represent a minimum of fifty (50) minutes of actual course time. No credit will be allowed for meals, breaks, or business/administration matters related to courses of study.
Registrants shall complete a minimum of twelve (12) CEH's in structured course study. Structured course study shall consist of participation in education activities presented by individuals or groups qualified by professional, practical, or academic experience to conduct courses of study. Structured activities do not include reading magazine articles.
Self reporting hours or non-structured course study (including architectural record) will not be counted toward your arkansas continuing education requirment. Topics for the twelve (12) continuing education hours shall meet the following requirements:
- Eight (8) CEH's (minimum) shall include the study of relevant technical and professional architectural subjects related to safeguarding life, health, property, and promoting public welfare.
- Four (4) CEH's (maximum) may consist of elective topics related to any other area in the practice or architecture.
The Arkansas State Board of Architects does not allow the carry-over of continuing eduction hours from the previous year.
What does the Board accept as proper Continuing Education credit?
Any structured program in health, safety, and welfare contained in the record of an approved professional registry will be accepted by the board as fulfilling the continuing education requirements of the Board. The Board approves the American Institute of Architects as a professional registry, and contact hours listed in structured health, safety, and welfare in the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Services (AIA/CES) Transcript of Continuing Education Activities will be accepted by the board for both resident and non-resident architects.
You are required to provide individual participant documentation from a person other than yourself. documentation provided for board consideration must clearly indicate (hsw) or (lu) for proper credit to be applied toward your individual contiuning education requirement.
What happens if I don’t file me Continuing Education by the deadline?
Failure to fulfill the continuing education requirements, or file the annual report, properly completed and signed, by July 31st shall result in a penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per month for a maximum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) each year in addition to the renewal fee and late payment fees. Failure to comply with the Continuing Education requirements may also result in revocation of your license.
Who is exempt from the Continuing Education requirement?
A registrant may be exempt from participating in the continuing education program required by the Board for one of the following reasons:
- First time new registrants by examination or first time reciprocal registrants with the license number 4338 or higher are exempt for 2011 renewal period.
- Individual registrants who hold emeritus status.
- Registrants who have served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States for a period of time exceeding ninety (90) consecutive days during the annual report period of August 1, 2011 thru July 31, 2012.
- Any individual registrant experiencing physical disability, illness or other extenuating circumstances may request exemption from the continuing education requirements. The Registrant shall provide supporting documentation for the Board's review. The Board on an individual basis will consider such hardship cases. The request for a hardship must be received in the Board office by June 1, 2011.
- Non-Registrant license holders from another NCARB jurisdiction with either a mandated or voluntary continuing education program, provided that same jurisdiction accepts Arkansas continuing education requirements as satisfying their continuing education requirement.
The Arkansas State Board of Architects accepts the continuing education programs of the following: AL, FL, IL IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MN, NE, NM, NJ, NY, NC, OK, OR, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, WV and WY.
Non-resident license holders wishing to claim exemption from arkansas’ mandatory continuing education programmust provide a copy of a current license or affidavit stating that all requirements of that jurisdiction for current continuing education compliance and registration have been met.
Failure to provide the required continuing education documentation will result in late fee(s) and continuing education penalty fee(s) in addition to renewal fees.
Individual License – Renewal Fees
| Individual Registration - Renewal Fees |
| Individual Registration – Paper Renewal Fee |
$100.00 |
| Individual Registration – Online Renewal Fee |
*$105.00 |
| * The Information Network of Arkansas (INA) charges an online renewal convenience fee of 4% + $1 to the total amount paid by each user. Online renewals processed after July 31 will require a late fee(s) in addition to the renewal fee and continuing education penalty fee(s). |
Individual Registration – Late Fees
If you decide to allow your license to lapse this year, your individual registration may be reinstated within three (3) years by paying all renewal fees and late penalties for each year in default.
| Individual Registration - Late Fees |
| Month of Renewal |
Renewal Fee |
Continuing
Education Late Fee |
Renewal Late Fee |
Total |
| 1 Month Expired |
100.00 |
250.00 |
50.00 |
$400.00 |
| 2 Months Expired |
100.00 |
500.00 |
100.00 |
$700.00 |
| 3 Months Expired |
100.00 |
750.00 |
150.00 |
$1,000.00 |
| 4 - 12 Months Expired |
100.00 |
1000.00 |
250.00 |
*$1,350.00 |
| * If renewed within one year from date of expiration. |
| 13 Months Expired |
200.00 |
1250.00 |
300.00 |
$1,750.00 |
| 14 Months Expired |
200.00 |
1500.00 |
350.00 |
$2,100.00 |
| 15 Months Expired |
200.00 |
1750.00 |
400.00 |
$2,050.00 |
| 16 - 24 Months Expired |
200.00 |
2000.00 |
500.00 |
*$2,700.00 |
| * If renewed within two years from date of expiration. |
| 25 Months Expired |
300.00 |
2250.00 |
550.00 |
$3,100.00 |
| 26 Months Expired |
300.00 |
2500.00 |
600.00 |
$3,400.00 |
| 27 Months Expired |
300.00 |
2750.00 |
650.00 |
$3,700.00 |
| 28 -36 Months Expired |
300.00 |
3000.00 |
750.00 |
*$4,050.00 |
| * If renewed within three years from date of expiration. |
Individual’s who have allowed their registration to lapse for a period of three (3) or more years shall re-apply through the means of which the initial license was granted.
Architects - Certificate of Authorization Renewals
Certificate of Authorization – Annual License Renewal
Certificates of Authorization must be renewed by December 31st annually.
Your renewal must be received in the Board office by 4:30 p.m. CST on December 31st or postmarked by December 31.
The Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers (ASBALAID) does not offer “inactive” status for Certificate of Authorization license holders.
All Certificates of Authorization will expire on December 31st and shall become invalid on January 1st unless renewed. Renewals received after December 31st will require late fee(s) in addition to the renewal fee.
Certificate of Authorization – Online License Renewal
Online renewal is a fast and efficient way to renew your Certificate of Authorization license. If you choose to renew your license online, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted forms of payment. Online renewals processed after December 31 will require late fee(s) in addition to the renewal fee.
Online renewal available starting December 1.
Certificate of Authorization – Paper License Renewal
If you prefer not to utilize the Board’s online renewal process, you may complete and return the 2010 Certificate of Authorization – Paper Renewal form. Please note that your completed renewal form and fee must be received in the Board office by 4:30 p.m. CST on December 31st or postmarked by December 31. Make check payable to ASBALAID in the amount of $250.00. Renewals received after December 31st will require late fee(s) in addition to the renewal fee.
Paper renewal form available starting December 1.
Certificate of Authorization – License Reinstatement
Certificate of Authorization licenses which have expired more than 90 days or have been revoked due to non-payment of the annual renewal fee may be reinstated through the payment of the renewal fee in effect at the time, plus a penalty of fifty ($50.00) per month for the first three (3) Months after the certificate has expired or been revoked. Thereafter, an additional penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the remainder of one (1) year will be incurred, for a maximum penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per year for a maximum of three (3) years.
| Certificate of Authorization - Renewal Fees |
| Certificate of Authorization – Annual Renewal Fee - Paper |
*$250.00 |
| Certificate of Authorization – Annual Renewal Fee - Online |
*$262.00 |
| * The Information Network of Arkansas (INA) charges an inline renewal convenience fee of 4% + $2 to the total amount paid by each user. This fee is not collected by the ASBALAID. |
Certificate of Authorization – Late Fees
Certificate of Authorization licenses which have expired or have been revoked due to non-payment of the annual renewal fee may be renewed or reinstated through the payment of the renewal fee in effect at the time, plus a penalty of fifty ($50.00) per month for the first three (3) Months after the certificate has expired or been revoked. Thereafter, an additional penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the remainder of one (1) year will be incurred, for a maximum penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per year for a maximum of three (3) years.
| Certificate of Authorization - Late Fees |
| Month of Renewal |
Renewal Fee |
Late Fee |
Total |
| 1 Month Expired |
250.00 |
50.00 |
$300.00 |
| 2 Months Expired |
250.00 |
100.00 |
$350.00 |
| 3 Months Expired |
250.00 |
150.00 |
$400.00 |
| 4 – 12 Months Expired |
250.00 |
250.00 |
*$500.00 |
| * If renewed within one year from date of expiration. |
| 13 Months Expired |
500.00 |
300.00 |
$800.00 |
| 14 Months Expired |
500.00 |
350.00 |
$850.00 |
| 15 Months Expired |
500.00 |
400.00 |
$900.00 |
| 16 – 24 Months Expired |
500.00 |
500.00 |
*$1000.00 |
| * If renewed within two years from date of expiration. |
| 25 Months Expired |
750.00 |
550.00 |
$1300.00 |
| 26 Months Expired |
750.00 |
600.00 |
$1350.00 |
| 27 Months Expired |
750.00 |
650.00 |
$1400.00 |
| 28 – 36 Months Expired |
750.00 |
750.00 |
*$1500.00 |
| * If renewed within three years from date of expiration. |