Washington State Department of Licensing - State Board of Architects

Please Note

We are a service company that can help you file with the Washington State Department of Licensing - State Board of Architects. 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:
405 Black Lake Blvd SW
Olympia, WA 98502

Mailing address:
PO Box 35001
Seattle, WA 98124

Phone: (360) 664-1388
Fax: (360) 570-7098

Web: Home Company search Individual search Forms
Email: architects@dol.wa.gov

Notes: They do not accept applications or payments through overnight mail service. Office hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Licenses

We track the following licenses with the Washington State Department of Licensing - State Board of Architects 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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Washington Architect License

Agency:Washington State Department of Licensing - State Board of Architects
Exam Required?Yes

Initial Registration

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

Form:

Architect Registration Initial Application

Instructions:

Architect by Direct Registration with NCARB or Architect by Exam

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$216.50

Reciprocal Registration

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

Form:

Architect Registration Initial Application

Instructions:

Architect by Reciprocity

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$520.50

Registration Renewal

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

Form:

Architect Renewal Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$109 renewal fee + $6.50 Washington State Building Code Council fee

Due:

Biennially by the licensee's date of birth. Licenses can be renewed starting 120 days from the expiration date.

Washington Design Firm Certificate of Authorization

Agency:Washington State Department of Licensing - State Board of Architects
Law:

RCW § 18.08.420

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 directors must be a Washington licensed architect.

Professional Corporations:

  • All shareholders, directors, and all officers, other than the secretary and the treasurer, must be licensed in a profession performed by the firm.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least one of the managers must be a Washington licensed architect.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • All members and managers must be licensed in a profession performed by the firm.

Partnerships:

  • At least one of the partners must be a Washington licensed architect.
Qualifying Individual Requirements:
  • The firm must appoint a designated architect. The designated architect:
    • Must be licensed to practice architecture in Washington State.
    • Is responsible for the practice of architecture by your business.
    • Has full authority to make all final architectural decisions on behalf of your business with respect to work performed in Washington.
    • Must be regularly employed in the office, having direct knowledge and supervisory control of work performed by your business in Washington.
    • Must be a governing person of the business, meaning:A general partner, if the firm is a partnership or limited liability partnership (LLP).
    • A manager, if the firm is a limited liability company (LLC).
    • A director, if the firm is a business corporation or professional service corporation.

Initial Registration

This section applies to architectural firms that are applying for a license in Washington for the first time. If you already have a license and are looking to renew it, please see the renewal section.

Form:

Business License Application and Registered Professional Design Firm Addendum

Agency Fee:

$19 business license fee + $292 new application fee + $6.50 surcharge fee

Turnaround:

4-5 weeks

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Notes:

Firms with branch offices in Washington are required to designate a currently licensed professional engineer and/or land surveyor who will be in “responsible charge” for the services offered at the branch location

Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Ensure that your business entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • Identify a Washington licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's architectural activities in Washington.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Ensure that your Washington entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • Identify a Washington licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's architectural activities in Washington.
  • Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity's home state (to be filed during the foreign qualification process). The certificate cannot be more than 60 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Washington Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
  2. File a Business License Application and a Registered Professional Design Firm Addendum with the Department of Revenue - Business Licensing Service or complete the online application process to obtain a license.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with the Washington Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
  2. File a Business License Application and a Registered Professional Design Firm Addendum with the Department of Revenue - Business Licensing Service or complete the online application process to obtain a license.
Required Attachments:
  • A Designated Engineer/Land Surveyor Affidavit (page 3 of this application)
  •  A Corporate/LLC Resolution naming the designated engineer, land surveyor, or both (page 4 of this application)

Registration Renewal

This section applies to architectural firms that are already licensed in Washington and need to renew their license.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$145.50 renewal fee + $11 processing fee.

Due:

Annually by date of initial issuance.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Notes:

Renewal notices are emailed to license holders about 6 weeks prior to the expiration date.

Required Attachments:
  • Designated architect addendum for each designated architect

Amendment

Form:

Registered Professional Design Firm Addendum (Amendment)

Agency Fee:

$0

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