50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Maryland Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Maryland.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Maryland 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

Maryland Architecture Company Licenses

Maryland Architectural Firm Permit

Agency:Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing - Board of Architects
Law:

MD Code Business Occupations and Professions § 3-402

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

Business Corporations:

  • At least 2/3 of the directors must be licensed in Maryland or another state to practice architecture, engineering, or landscape architecture.
  • At least one officer or director must be a Maryland licensed architect who will be responsible for the firm's practice of architecture in Maryland.

Professional Corporations:

  • At least 2/3 of the directors must be licensed in Maryland or another state to practice architecture, engineering, or landscape architecture.
  • All of the officers of a Maryland PC, except the secretary and treasurer, must be licensed in a professional service offered by the firm.
  • All of the shareholders must be licensed in a professional service offered by the firm.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least 2/3 of the members must be licensed in Maryland or another state to practice architecture, engineering, or landscape architecture.
  • At least one member must be a Maryland licensed architect who will be responsible for the firm's practice of architecture in Maryland.

Partnerships:

  • At least 2/3 of the partners must be licensed in Maryland or another state to practice architecture, engineering, or landscape architecture.
  • At least one partner must be a Maryland licensed architect who will be responsible for the firm's practice of architecture in Maryland.

Initial Registration

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

Filing Method:

File an application online then email a managing agent certification form to dloplboardofarchitects-dllr@maryland.gov.

Agency Fee:

$39 application fee + $112 permit fee.

Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

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

Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify a Maryland licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's architectural activities in Maryland.
  • Ensure that your Maryland entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • 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 Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).
  2. Obtain proof of the good standing of your business entity by searching for your entity and taking a screenshot of the View Business Details page (to be submitted with the licensee certification in step 4).
  3. Complete the online Firm Permit application with the Board of Architects.
  4. Email a completed Responsible Member Certification Form to dloplboardofarchitects-dllr@maryland.gov.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).
  2. Obtain proof of the good standing of your Maryland entity by searching for your entity and taking a screenshot of the View Business Details page (to be submitted with the licensee certification in step 4).
  3. Complete the online Firm Permit application with the Board of Architects.
  4. Email a completed Responsible Member Certification Form to dloplboardofarchitects-dllr@maryland.gov.
Required Attachments:
  • All firms, except a partnership, must provide evidence of the business' good standing status with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Evidence may be provided by printing a results screen from SDAT's Maryland Business Express database. Once the business entity is located through the search, click on the "View Business Details" link. Print that window, and send it to the Board with the certification in step 3.

Registration Renewal

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$112

Due:

Biennially by the registration date.

Notes:

Renewal notices are sent approximately 60 days before the expiration of the permit.

Required Attachments:
  • Firms are required to submit their SDAT good standing status upon renewal
  • Need license holder's full SSN

Maryland Interior Design Firm License

Not required



Interior Design Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Maryland.

Maryland does not currently license or register interior design businesses.

Maryland Landscape Architecture Firm Permit

Agency:Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing - Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

File an application online then email a managing agent certification form to dloplboardofexaminersoflandscapearchitects-dllr@maryland.gov.

Agency Fee:

$39 application fee + $112 permit fee.

Turnaround:

Immediately upon registration with licensure information, via online.

Required Attachments:
  • All firms, except a partnership, must provide evidence of the business' good standing status with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Evidence may be provided by printing a results screen from SDAT's Maryland Business Express database. Once the business entity is located through the search, click on the "View Business Details" link. Print that window, and send it to the Board with the certification in step 3.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$112

Due:

Biennially by the date of initial registration.

Notes:

Renewal notices are sent approximately 60 days before the expiration of the permit.

Required Attachments:
  • Firms are required to submit their SDAT good standing status upon renewal

Individual Licenses

Maryland Individual Architecture Licenses

Maryland Architect License

Agency:Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing - Board of Architects
Exam Required?Yes

Initial Registration

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$39 application fee + $86 license fee

Reciprocal Registration

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$56 application fee + $86 license fee

How to Apply:

For applicants with an NCARB record:

  1. Apply for a Reciprocal License online.
  2. Have your record transmitted to the board by NCARB.

For applicants without an NCARB record:

  1. Supporting document to be filed with a Reciprocal License application
  2. Submit official grade transcripts from college(s) attended to the Board office.
  3. Submit three letters of character reference.
  4. Provide verification of licensure in another jurisdiction.
  5. Apply for a Reciprocal License online.

Registration Renewal

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$86

Due:

Biennially by the date of issuance.

Maryland Interior Designer Certification

Agency:Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing - Board of Certified Interior Designers

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$39 application fee + $86 license fee

Reciprocal Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$56 application fee + $86 license fee

How to Apply:
  1. Apply online via reciprocity.
  2. Contact the Board where you are currently licensed or certified and request that a verification be sent to the Maryland Board.
  3. If applicable, have an official transcript sent directly from your college or university to the Board.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$86

Due:

Biennially by the date of issuance.

Maryland Landscape Architect License

Agency:Maryland Department of Labor - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing - Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$39 application fee + $86 license fee

Reciprocal Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$56 application fee + $86 license fee

How to Apply:

For applicants with a CLARB record:

  1. Apply online via reciprocity.
  2. Transmit CLARB Council Record to the MD Board
  3. Pay application fee

For applicants without a CLARB record:

  1. Apply online via reciprocity.
  2. Pay application fee
  3. Submit a paper application that includes: Licensure and examination verification and Report of Professional Experience form(s)

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$86

Due:

Biennially by the date of issuance.

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 16, 2023. Complete data last reviewed February 14, 2023.
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