A Guide to Architecture Licensing in the United States

Licensing is regulated at the state level, with each state having its own set of requirements. However, most jurisdictions require the same three components.

Step 1: Educational Requirements

Typically, the first step toward obtaining an architect license is earning a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) or Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) degree from an accredited program. Most states require that the program be accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or the Canadian Architectural Certification Board. However, some states accept certain work experience as an alternative to a degree from an NAAB-accredited program.

Step 2: Gain Work Experience

After obtaining your degree, the next step is to gain relevant work experience under the supervision of a licensed architect. 

Almost every state requires that applicants, at minimum, complete the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) managed by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). The AXP requires completion of a minimum of 3,740 hours of work in six different areas of experience. Several states have additional experience requirements beyond the AXP.

To complete the AXP, applicants must first register with NCARB and establish an NCARB Record. The NCARB Record is a detailed, verified report of an applicant’s education and experience.

Applicants then must submit detailed reports on their work experience to NCARB. It is important for applicants to maintain a detailed log of work activities, including the types of projects worked on, roles, and skills developed. Applicants must demonstrate competency in 96 different tasks to complete the AXP.  

In some limited circumstances, NCARB will permit applicants to demonstrate their competency in these tasks by submitting an AXP portfolio, instead of submitting their hours.

Step 3: Pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE)

Before becoming licensed, aspiring architects in every state must pass the ARE exam, a multi-part test assessing knowledge and skills in those areas of architecture practice that affect the public’s health, safety and welfare. 

There are six sections or “divisions” of the ARE exam. Applicants can schedule to take the divisions in any order and on different days. All divisions must be completed within five years of the date they first passed a division. The testing duration for each exam division ranges from 2 hours and 40 minutes to 4 hours and 5 minutes.   

Applicants must request to take the ARE exam from the NCARB. The NCARB will verify a candidate’s eligibility for the ARE exam in the desired jurisdiction. Applicants can then schedule their exam on NCARB’s website. ARE exams can be taken either at a PSI Test Center or online with PSI’s online proctoring software.  

There are several states that require additional state-specific exams for licensure. It is vital for aspiring architects to research the specific requirements for their state.

Maintain Your License