Frequently asked questions: Architects
Select a topic below:
- Applying for a license
- Continuing education
- Updating your license
- Intern Development Program (IDP)
- Architect Registration Exam (ARE)
- Reciprocity
- Certificates and seals
Applying for a license
- What is my degree worth toward my examination requirements?
- If you received an accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture from a university recognized by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), you’ll be given 5 years of academic experience credit.
- If you received an undergraduate or graduate degree in architecture from a university that isn’t recognized by NAAB, you’ll be given 4 years of academic credit.
- Do I have to work under the supervision of a Washington architect?
- In addition to completing IDP, you may need to report practical work experience completed under the direct supervision of a U.S. or Canadian-licensed architect. See the
Prerequisite Requirements for NCARB Examination and Reciprocity to determine how much experience you need to report. - Does work for an engineer count for experience credit?
- Sometimes engineering work experience or experience under a licensed professional engineer is creditable. Please contact the board office for further details.
- Will I receive credit for contract work for an architect or engineer?
- Possibly. The limitations of 10 weeks for full-time work and 6 months for part-time work still apply. For more information about credit for work experience, see Experience Evaluation and Equivalents.
- How do I get an application packet for registration?
- To get an application packet, download the online Architect Registration Initial Application.
Continuing education
- How many hours of professional development activities do I need?
- You need to accumulate 24 professional development hours (PDH) over your 2-year renewal period. At least 16 PDF must address public health, safety, and welfare.
- Where can I find a list of professional development activities or classes?
- Contact your professional associations and related professions (such as National Society of Professional Engineers).
- See Continuing education for a list of qualifying activities. Many of your existing activities may qualify, and you just need to record them.
- How do I record my hours?
- Use any of the following to keep track of the classes you attend or the activities you participate in:
- Your own method.
- The Architect Professional Development Worksheet
- The American Institute of Architect Continuing Education System
- Keep receipts or certificates of completion. If you don’t have these records, keep the agendas, handouts, copies of book covers, etc., to show you were involved in the activity.
- Keep these records for 5 years.
- Use any of the following to keep track of the classes you attend or the activities you participate in:
- What if I get audited?
- You’ll be asked to submit your records and supporting materials. If the board determines you’re missing hours, or some of your activities don’t qualify, we may require you to make up the shortage.
- When do I start recording my hours?
- Start recording your professional development hours now. The audits will start after July 2013.
Updating your license
- How do I report a change of address or name change?
- To notify us that you have changed your name* or address:
- Write to:
Washington State Board for Architects
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9045
Olympia, WA 98507-9045 - Fax: 360-570-7098.
- Email: architects@dol.wa.gov.
- Write to:
Intern Development Program (IDP)
- Is the Intern Development Program mandatory?
- Yes, completion of IDP became mandatory on July 29, 2001. If you were accepted for exam registration before July 29, 2001, you may not be required to submit an IDP record if you have kept your application file active. If your application file shows no activity for 5 consecutive years, you’ll have to reapply and will be held to the licensing requirements in effect at the time of reapplication (WAC 308-12-065).
- Do I have to complete IDP before taking an exam?
- No. If you have a NAAB-accredited degree, you only have to be enrolled in IDP to start taking the exams.
- If I have completed my required work experience but I haven’t yet completed all of the requirements of the IDP, may I begin the exam process?
- Yes, if you have a NAAB-accredited degree.
- Do I still have 5 years to complete all my exams if I’m doing IDP at the same time as my exams?
- Yes, you’re still required to complete all exams within 5 years of the date of your first passed exam.
- If I don’t have a professional degree (M/Arch or B/Arch), can I complete the requirements of IDP? If so, will I qualify for NCARB certification?
- Yes, you can complete the training requirements and apply for a Washington State license. However, you won’t receive full IDP NCARB certification because of the lack of a degree. You also will need to sit for an oral exam before you can get a license.
- If I start IDP and then move or change jobs, how do I continue the IDP?
- You and your advisor should notify the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) immediately and follow their instructions to change your sponsor.
Architect Registration Exam (ARE)
- Do I have to be a Washington resident to apply for the exams in Washington?
- No.
- How soon may I begin taking the exams after I submit my application?
- The testing agency, Prometric, will send you exam scheduling information when they notify you in writing that your application is complete and you are eligible to take exams.
- Where are the testing centers?
- Examinations are administered across the United States. Testing locations in Washington are located in Puyallup, Mountlake Terrace, and Spokane.
- When should I expect to receive my exam scores?
- If you aren’t a direct registration candidate through NCARB, the score reports are sent to board staff from the testing agency, Prometric. Once they’re received, your file is updated and the reports are mailed to you. Expect them approximately 4–7 weeks after you’ve taken your exam.
- How many times may I take the exam? Is there a limit?
- You may continue to take the exams until you pass. However, all exams must be passed within 5 years. This 5-year time limit begins the month you pass the first division of the exam. On a rolling-clock basis, you’ll be required to retake any sections of the exam you passed more than 5 years ago, along with any sections not yet passed.
- How long do I need to wait to retake an exam?
- You may retake a failed exam every 6 months, with no limit on the number of times you may take an exam.
- Do I need to have an oral interview if I have IDP certification?
- The board may request an oral interview from candidates. Usually the board will waive this requirement for applicants who have an NCARB “Blue Cover” certificate. You can get an NCARB “Blue Cover” certificate by completing the IDP and receiving a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in architecture from a university recognized by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
- Why does my score report from NCARB list the status of my exam as “exempt”?
- The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) implemented a 5-year clock on January 1, 2006. Any exams you took before that date will be marked “exempt.” However, Washington’s 5-year clock overrides NCARB’s, and you’re still required to pass all of the exams within 5 years.
- Do I still have to complete all my exams in 5 years if my score report from NCARB says “exempt”?
- Yes, Washington’s 5-year clock rule applies to all candidates taking exams through Washington State. The score reports issued by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) give you detailed feedback on your performance for that division of the exam, but the “exempt” status isn’t relevant to Washington’s 5-year clock.
- How will the transition to the new ARE (ARE 4.0) affect me?
- The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) launched a new version of the Architect Registration Exam (ARE) in July 2008. If you passed at least 1 division of the current exam before May 2008, you’ll have until June 2009 to pass the remaining divisions. If you have passed exams in version 3.1, you can determine the version 4.0 exams you still need with NCARB’s transition chart.
Reciprocity
- Does Washington have reciprocity with other states?
- Yes, you may receive a certificate of registration if you’re a registered architect in another state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or another country. However, you must strictly meet Washington’s licensing requirements.
- How do I apply for reciprocity with Washington?
- Washington allows reciprocity through 3 different paths:
- With an NCARB council record (“blue cover”).
- With completed IDP (licensed less than 2 years).
- With work experience only (no council record or IDP). If you haven’t completed IDP, you must verify that you’ve been licensed at least 2 years in another jurisdiction.
Certificates and seals
- How will my name appear on my license and wall certificate?
- Your name will appear exactly as you entered it on your application form.
- How do I get my Washington State architect seal?
- You may get your architect seal from any rubber stamp manufacturer. See Seal requirements for more information.
- Can I use an electronically-produced seal?
- Yes.
