50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Washington D.C. Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Washington D.C..

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Washington D.C. for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Washington D.C. Architecture Company Licenses

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

Individual Licenses

Washington D.C. Individual Architecture Licenses

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.

Learn about architecture licensing in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

ARE (Architect Registration Examination) - Assesses candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required to be a practicing architect.

AXP (Architectural Experience Program) - NCARB program for architectural internship, a requirement for licensure that occurs after filling the educational requirements.

BEFA (Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect) - An alternative NCARB certification that allows foreign architects to independently practice architecture.

COA (Certificate of Authorization) - The most common name of the registration required for firms to practice architecture in a given state.

Design Firm - Architectural firm registration is sometimes grouped with engineering and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.

NCARB Certification - Licensed architects have the option to become Certificate holders to signify that they have met national standards established by U.S. licensing boards for protecting public health, safety, and welfare. Certification also facilitates reciprocal registration in all 54 jurisdictions, 11 Canadian jurisdictions, and can be used to support an application for licensure in other countries.

Reciprocity - This is when a licensed architect in one state can provide documentation (often a NCARB certificate) to more easily apply for licensure in another jurisdiction.

State Board - Often referred to as the State Architects Licensure Board or Board of Architects, an individual state’s board serves as the regulatory authority for architects. The board qualifies and licenses individuals seeking architectural licensure. The board is responsible for preserving the public health, safety, and welfare of individuals who occupy built environments.

National Architecture Accrediting Board
NAAB establishes criteria for and accredits professional architecture degree programs in the United States.

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
AIAS is an independent, student-run group that promotes excellence in architecture education, training, and practice.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
AIA is a voluntary professional organization for architects providing advocacy, information, and community.

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
ACSA represents architectural education programs across the globe.

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
NCARB is the national organization representing the state registration boards.

Revised March 15, 2023. Complete data last reviewed February 14, 2023.
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