Licensing 

Architects - Licensing

• Qualifications
• Renewal Information
• Certificate of Authorization Renewals

Qualifications For A License

Individual License

1. Hold a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB);
2. Enroll in the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards' (NCARB) Intern Development Program (IDP) one year prior to applying for the exam;and
3. Successfully complete the Intern Development Program.
4. 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:

1. Applicant must hold a current and valid certification issued by NCARB.
2. Applicant must hold a valid registration as an architect issued by a registration authority in the United States or Canada and submits satisfactory evidence of such registration to the Board.
3. Applicant must file his or her application in a form prescribed by the Board and pay the applicable fees established by the Board.

Before registration, the Board may, at its discretion, require individual applicants to appear before the Board when an NCARB record does not clearly indicate the applicant is qualified for registration in Arkansas.

A Certificate of Registration from the Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers 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 the Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers (ASBALAID) for processing. Applications will not be considered without the required fee of $250.00 certified check or money order made payable to the ASBALAID.

The Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers (ASBALAID) 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 Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers (ASBALAID) Rules and Regulations Regarding the Practice of Architecture Section VII (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, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers (ASBALAID) Rules and Regulations Regarding the Practice of Architecture Section VII (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 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:

1. Complete an application supplied by the Board.
2. If applying as a corporation, this application must be accompanied by articles of incorporation certified by the state secretary of state of the jurisdiction in 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.
3. 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. You may contact the Secretary of State via phone at 501/682-1010 or via web at http://sos.arkansas.gov.
4. A fee must accompany the application. The current fees are $250.00 for both residents and non-residents.
5. 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.
6. 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

• A.R.E Exam Application - PDF
• Architect Initial Application for Licensure by Reciprocity -PDF
• Firm Initial Application Resident Form - PDF

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, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers (ASBALAID) 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 – Paper Renewal

If you prefer not to utilize the Board’s online renewal process, you may complete and return the 2012-2013 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, 2012. Make check payable to the ASBALAID in the amount of $100.00. Renewals WILL NOT be accepted if not postmarked by July 31.

• Individual Architect Active Status Renewal Form 2012-2013 - PDF

 Individual License – Paper Renewal

If your renewal will be sent in after July 31st, or if your license has lapsed for 1-3 years, please complete the Architect Reinstatement Form.  You must report your continuing education hours (CEHs), submit correlating documentation, and submit check or money order made out to ASBALAID for the necessary fees and penalties (see fee chart below).

• Individual Architect Reinstatement Form 2012-2013 - PDF

Individual License – Continuing Education

The Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers 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 CALENDAR year.  A continuing education hour (CEH) shall represent one continuous instructional hour (50-60 minutes of contact) spent in structured education activities intended to increase or update the architect's knowledge and competence in health, safety and welfare (HSW) subjects.

All twelve (12) CEHs must be completed in HSW subjects acquired in structured educational activities.

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) for proper credit to be applied toward your individual continuing education requirement.

What happens if I don’t file my 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:

1. First time new registrants by examination or first time reciprocal registrants with the license number 4667 or higher are exempt for 2012-2013 renewal period.
2. Individual registrants who hold emeritus status.
3. 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 January 1, 2011 thru December 31, 2011.
4. 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, 2012.

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 – 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.

Individuals 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.

• Click here to Renew your Certificate of Authorization License Online

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 WILL NOT be accepted if not postmarked by December 31st.

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 License Reinstatement Application Form - PDF

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.