District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Landscape Architecture


Please Note

We are a service company that can help you file with the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Landscape Architecture. We are not associated with this nor any other government agency. We offer paid services and software to help you file. You are not required to purchase our service to file - you may file directly with this agency without using our service.


Contact Information

Physical address:
1100 4th Street, SW
2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20024

Phone: (202) 442-4320

Web: Home Name search File online
Email: opla.design@dc.gov

Licenses

We track the following licenses with the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Landscape Architecture in order to provide compliance services to our clients. As a client, you see this and other Compliance Core™ data in License Manager in-line with your licenses.

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District of Columbia Architect License

Agency:District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Landscape Architecture
Exam Required?Yes

Initial Registration

This section applies to architects that are applying for a license in District of Columbia for the first time.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$65 application fee + $120 license fee

Notes:
  • Items Needed for Application
    • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age;
    • Applicants must not have been convicted of a crime or moral turpitude which bears directly on the applicant’s fitness to be licensed;
    • Complete an online application, submitting required supporting documents and TOTAL FEE. You will not be invoiced later for the license fee;
    • One passport-type photo of the applicant’s face, measuring approximately 2”x2”. Home snapshots and computer photographs are not acceptable.
    • U.S.-government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license.
      Additional Requirements for all Architect Applicants for Licensure by Examination
    • Applicants must be a graduate of a degree program in architecture from an accredited institution. Proof of a bachelor’s of architecture degree, or a master’s degree in architecture should be submitted to NCARB; and
    • Applicants must complete the training requirements of the Mandatory AXP (Architect Experience Program) administered by NCARB; and
    • Applicants must have received a passing score on ALL parts of the ARE to be issued an architecture license. Interested applicants are allowed to take parts of the ARE while completing the AXP. Exam scores will be sent directly to the Board of Architecture and Interior Design. NOTE: An applicant may take portions of the ARE provided that all AXP requirements are completed before licensure is obtained.
    • Applicants must request that the NCARB Examination File be sent to the Board of Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture when the applicant has successfully passed the examination.
    • Note: The applicant should inform NCARB that they are taking the ARE to become registered in the District of Columbia.
  • Additional Requirements for all Architect Licensure by Endorsement
    • Applicants must apply for endorsement through NCARB. Applicants must request that his/her NCARB examination/work history file be sent directly to the Board of Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture.
      Additional Requirements for all Interior Designer Applicants for Licensure by Examination
    • Applicants must possess a current certificate from CIDQ showing that they have met CIDQ’s education, experience, and examination requirements and must upload a CIDQ certificate. An applicant must have received a passing score on ALL parts of the CIDQ examination prior to applying for a District of Columbia license. An applicant taking the national examination for the first time must take ALL parts of the CIDQ examination. Thereafter, an applicant may take one or more parts of the examination at subsequent administrations until a passing score is achieved on all parts of the examination; and
    • Applicants who hold licenses from other jurisdictions must have passed the NCIDQ examination and hold a current certificate from CIDQ.
  • Examination
    Schedule an exam online as instructed for each license type below.
  • Architects: Examinations are available through the National Association of Architectural Registration Boards. To schedule an exam, visit ncarb.org.

Reciprocal Registration

This section applies to architects licensed in another state that are looking for reciprocal licensure in District of Columbia.

Agency Fee:

$65

Registration Renewal

This section applies to architects that are already licensed in District of Columbia and need to renew their license.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$155

Due:

By April 30 of even-numbered years.

Notes:

The District of Columbia Board of Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture mandates a total of 24 professional development units of continuing education to renew your license. Note: This requirement applies to all applicants for the renewal of or a license to practice architecture, except those applicants seeking the first renewal of a license granted by examination. A renewal applicant must submit proof via course certificates or transcripts of having completed 24 hours of credit in approved continuing education programs in health, safety, and welfare subjects during the term of the license (May 1, 2018 – April 30, 2020). To qualify for approval by the Board, a continuing education program must be prepared, offered, administered, or accepted by an entity approved by the American Institute of Architects or accepted by an entity approved by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

District of Columbia Interior Designer License

Agency:District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Landscape Architecture

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$65 application fee + $110 license fee

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$120

Due:

By October 31 of even-numbered years.

District of Columbia Landscape Architect License

Agency:District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Landscape Architecture

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$65 application fee + $155 license fee

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$155

Due:

By April 30 of odd-numbered years.

District of Columbia Professional Design Firm License

Agency:District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Landscape Architecture
Law:

DCMR 17-1801

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • At least one of the principal officers must be a District of Columbia licensed architect.

Professional Corporations:

  • Each of the original shareholders and directors must licensed in a professional service performed by the firm.
    At least one of the principal officers must be a District of Columbia licensed architect.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least one of the principal members must be a District of Columbia licensed architect.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least one of the principal members must be a District of Columbia licensed architect.

Partnerships:

  • At least one of the partners must be a District of Columbia licensed architect.
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$65 application fee + $120 license fee

Before you Apply:

Domestic and Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify a District of Columbia licensed design professional to act as the professional in responsible charge for each office location in DC.
  • Ensure that your business entity will meet ownership requirements.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs - Corporations Division.
  2. Apply for a design firm license online.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents (if applicable) with the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs - Corporations Division.
  2. Apply for a design firm license online.
Required Attachments:
  • Registration Certificate from the Division of Corporation
  • Certificate of Good Standing from the Division of Corporations
  • One of the following:
    • Stock Certificates
    • Articles of Organization
    • Partnership Agreement
    • Tax Forms

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$155

Due:

By April 30 of odd-numbered years. Renewals may be submitted as early as 90 days prior to the expiration date.

Amendment

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

A licensed professional design firm shall notify the Board within 30 days after the
admission or withdrawal of a member or shareholder from a professional design firm.

Reinstatement

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$155

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