50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Virginia Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Virginia.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Virginia 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

Virginia Architecture Company Licenses

Virginia Business Entity Branch Office Registration

Agency:Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Entity Branch Office Application

Filing Method:

Typically 3-5 business days, but could take as long as 3 weeks.

Agency Fee:

$45

Registration Renewal

Form:

Branch Office Renewal Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$35

Due:

By February 28 of even-numbered years.

Amendment
Change of Status

Form:

Business Entity Application (Change of Status)

Filing Method:

Email to apelscidla@dpor.virginia.gov

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Any changes of status including, but not limited to, change in entity, name (including assumed names), address, place of business or responsible persons at each place of business must be reported to the board by the registered entity within 30 days of the occurrence.

Law:

18 VAC 10-20-660

Notarization Required?:Required

Reinstatement

Form:

Business Entity Branch Office Application (Reinstatement)

Agency Fee:

$80 for licenses expired for 30 days or more.

Virginia Business Entity Registration

Agency:Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects
Law:

VA Code § 54.1-411

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

Business Corporations:

  • No licensure requirements for officers, but at least one full-time employee or resident principal licensed or certified in each profession offered or practiced at each branch must provide effective supervision and control of the final professional product.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • No licensure requirements for members, but at least one full-time employee or resident principal licensed or certified in each profession offered or practiced at each branch must provide effective supervision and control of the final professional product.

Partnerships:

  • No licensure requirements for partners, but at least one full-time employee or resident principal licensed or certified in each profession offered or practiced at each branch must provide effective supervision and control of the final professional product.

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Entity Application

Agency Fee:

$90

Turnaround:

Typically 3-5 business days, but could take as long as 3 weeks.

Notarization Required?:Required
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • For each of the professional services performed by the firm, identify a Virginia licensed design professional to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in Virginia.

Foreign Applicants:

  • For each of the professional services performed by the firm, identify a Virginia licensed design professional to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in Virginia.
  • Obtain certified copies of the entity's formation documents from its home state including all amendments and mergers to be filed with foreign qualification documents. The certified copies must be dated within 1 year of the date of filing foreign qualification documents in Virginia.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with Virginia State Corporation Commission.
  2. Submit a Business Entity Registration Application with the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects. Include a copy of the entity's formation certificate and organizational documents (bylaws and charter if a corporation, partnership agreement if a partnership). If using a trade or fictitious name, also include a copy of the certificate filed with the State Corporation Commission to register the name.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with Virginia State Corporation Commission.
  2. Submit a Business Entity Registration Application with the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects. Include a copy of the entity's foreign qualification certificate and, if a corporation, the entity's articles of incorporation, bylaws, and charter. If using a trade or fictitious name, also include a copy of the certificate filed with the State Corporation Commission to register the name.
Required Attachments:
  • If an assumed/fictitious name is to be used, a copy of the certificate filed with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) must be attached.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business Entity Registration Renewal Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$45

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years. Renewals may be filed as early as 90 days prior to the expiration date.

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

The department automatically mails a renewal notice to the business address of record approximately 45 days prior to the expiration date.

Amendment
Change of Status

Form:

Business Entity Application (Change of Status)

Filing Method:

Email to apelscidla@dpor.virginia.gov

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Any changes of status including, but not limited to, change in entity, name (including assumed names), address, place of business or responsible persons at each place of business must be reported to the board by the registered entity within 30 days of the occurrence.

Law:

18 VAC 10-20-660

Notarization Required?:Required

Reinstatement

Form:

Business Entity Registration Application (Reinstatement)

Agency Fee:

$150 for licenses expired for at least 6 months but less than 5 years and $300 for licenses expired for more than 5 years.

Virginia Professional Corporation Branch Office Registration

Agency:Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects

Initial Registration

Form:

Professional Corporation Branch Office Application

Agency Fee:

$30

Turnaround:

Typically 3-5 business days, but could take as long as 3 weeks.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Branch Office Renewal Form

Agency Fee:

$25

Due:

By February 28 of even-numbered years.

Amendment

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

No forms are provided for amendments; instead firms should submit updates to their registration via mail.

Reinstatement

Form:

Professional Corporation Branch Office Application (Reinstatement)

Agency Fee:

$55 for licenses expired for 30 days or more.

Virginia Professional Corporation Registration

Agency:Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects
Law:

VA Code § 54.1-411

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Professional Corporations
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Ownership Requirements:

Domestic Professional Corporations:

  • At least 2/3 of the capital stock must be held by persons duly licensed to render the services of architect, professional engineer, land surveyor, surveyor photogrammetrist, landscape architect, or to individuals legally authorized to use the title of certified interior designer.
  • The remainder of the stock may be issued only to and held by individuals who are employees of the corporation.
  • At least 2/3 of the Board of Directors shall be licensed to render the services of architect, professional engineer, land surveyor (including surveyor photogrammetrist), landscape architect, or duly certified to use the title of certified interior designer, or any combination thereof.
  • At least one director currently licensed or certified in each profession offered or practiced shall be resident at the business to provide effective supervision and control of the final professional product.
  • Joint ownership of corporate stock is not allowed.

Foreign Professional Corporations:

  • At least 2/3 of the Board of Directors shall be licensed to render the services of architect, professional engineer, land surveyor (including surveyor photogrammetrist), landscape architect, or duly certified to use the title of certified interior designer, or any combination thereof.
  • At least one director currently licensed or certified in each profession offered or practiced shall be resident at the business to provide effective supervision and control of the final professional product.

 

Initial Registration

Form:

Professional Corporation Application

Agency Fee:

$30

Turnaround:

Typically 3-5 business days, but could take as long as 3 weeks.

Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • For each of the professional services performed by the firm, identify a Virginia licensed design professional to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in Virginia.
  • Obtain certified copies of the corporation's articles of incorporation, bylaws, and charter to submit with the license application.
  • Check the ownership requirements and ensure that the entity is in compliance with all relevant rules regarding ownership.

Foreign Applicants:

  • For each of the professional services performed by the firm, identify a Virginia licensed design professional to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in Virginia.
  • Check the ownership requirements and ensure that the entity is in compliance with all relevant rules regarding ownership.
  • Obtain certified copies of the entity's formation documents from its home state including all amendments and mergers to be filed with foreign qualification documents. The certified copies must be dated within 1 year of the date of filing foreign qualification documents in Virginia.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File articles of incorporation with State Corporation Commission.
  2. Submit a Professional Corporation Application with the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects along with certified copies of the corporation's articles of incorporation, bylaws, and charter.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File a certificate of authority application with State Corporation Commission.
  2. Submit a Professional Corporation Application with the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects along with certified copies of the corporation's articles of incorporation, bylaws, and charter, and certificate of authority.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business Entity Registration Renewal Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$25

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years. Renewals may be filed as early as 90 days prior to the expiration date.

Notes:

The department automatically mails a renewal notice to the business address of record approximately 45 days prior to the expiration date.

Amendment

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

No forms are provided for amendments; instead firms should submit updates to their registration via mail.

Reinstatement

Form:

Professional Corporation Application

Agency Fee:

$125 for licenses expired for at least 6 months but less than 5 years and $275 for licenses expired for more than 5 years.

Virginia Professional Limited Liability Company Branch Office Registration

Agency:Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects

Initial Registration

Form:

Professional Limited Liability Company Branch Office Application

Agency Fee:

$50

Turnaround:

Typically 3-5 business days, but could take as long as 3 weeks.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Branch Office Renewal Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$50

Due:

By February 28 of even-numbered years.

Amendment

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

No forms are provided for amendments; instead firms should submit updates to their registration via mail.

Reinstatement

Form:

Professional Limited Liability Company Branch Office Application (Reinstatement)

Agency Fee:

$80 for licenses expired for 30 days or more.

Virginia Professional Limited Liability Company Registration

Agency:Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects
Law:

VA Code § 54.1-411

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
Ownership Requirements:

Domestic Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least 2/3 of the membership interests shall be held by individuals duly licensed or professional business entities legally authorized to render the services of architects, professional engineers, land surveyors, surveyor photogrammetrists, landscape architects, or by individuals or professional business entities legally authorized to use the title of certified interior designer.

Foreign Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • Foreign PLLCs must meet every requirement of § 13.1-1111 of the Code of Virginia except for the requirement that two-thirds of its members and managers be licensed or certified to perform the professional service in this Commonwealth.

Initial Registration

Form:

Professional Limited Liability Company Application

Agency Fee:

$100

Turnaround:

Typically 3-5 business days, but could take as long as 3 weeks.

Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • For each of the professional services performed by the firm, identify a Virginia licensed design professional to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in Virginia.
  • Obtain certified copies of the LLC's certificate of organization to be filed with the license application.
  • Check the ownership requirements and ensure that the entity is in compliance with all relevant rules regarding ownership.

Foreign Applicants:

  • For each of the professional services performed by the firm, identify a Virginia licensed design professional to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in Virginia.
  • Obtain certified copies of the entity's formation documents from its home state including all amendments and mergers to be filed with foreign qualification documents. The certified copies must be dated within 1 year of the date of filing foreign qualification documents in Virginia.
  • Check the ownership requirements and ensure that the entity is in compliance with all relevant rules regarding ownership.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File certificate of organization with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
  2. Submit a Professional Limited Liability Company Application with the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects along with certified copies of the LLC's certificate of organization and either the articles of organization or operating agreement.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File a certificate of authority application with State Corporation Commission.
  2. Submit a Professional Limited Liability Company Application with the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects along with certified copies of the LLC's certificate of organization, articles of organization or operating agreement, and certificate of authority.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business Entity Registration Renewal Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$50

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Amendment

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

No forms are provided for amendments; instead firms should submit updates to their registration via mail.

Reinstatement

Form:

Professional Limited Liability Company Application (Reinstatement)

Agency Fee:

$150 for licenses expired for at least 6 months but less than 5 years and $300 for licenses expired for more than 5 years.

Individual Licenses

Virginia Individual Architecture Licenses

Virginia Architect License

Agency:Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects
Exam Required?Yes

Initial Registration

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

Form:

Architect License Application

Agency Fee:

$75

Reciprocal Registration

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

Form:

Architect License Application

Agency Fee:

$75

Notes:

Applicants applying for licensure by comity without an NCARB Certificate Record must meet the eligibility requirements in effect in Virginia at the time of their original licensure in another jurisdiction. If the applicant does not meet the Virginia requirements that were in effect at the time of original licensure, the applicant shall be required to meet the Virginia entry requirements current at the time the completed application for comity is received in the Board's office.

Required Attachments:

If applying with a NCARB Certificate Record:

  • Architect License Application
  • NCARB Certificate Record that includes verification of current licensure in another state, jurisdiction, territory of the United States, or a province of Canada

 

If applying without a NCARB Certificate Record:

  • Architect License Application
  • Three Architect Reference Forms (less than one year old) completed by licensed Architects who have known the applicant for at least one year, and who has been associated with the applicant within the last 5 years;
  • Experience Verification Form or Client Verification Form to document all required experience;
  • Degree Verification Form; or Official Transcript and
  • Verification of Examination and Licensure Form to verify a passing grade on a nationally-recognized examination which leads to licensure as an architect.

Registration Renewal

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

Form:

License Renewal Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$55

Due:

Biennially by the date of issuance.

Virginia Interior Designer Certification

Agency:Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects

Initial Registration

Form:

CID Certificate Application

Agency Fee:

$45

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

CID Certificate Application

Agency Fee:

$45

Required Attachments:
  • Interior Designer Degree Verification Form or official school transcript(s);
  • Interior Designer Experience Verification Form(s); and
  • Verification of Interior Designer Examination and Certification Form to provide evidence of having passed the NCIDQ examination and verification of current certification in another jurisdiction.

Registration Renewal

Form:

CID Certificate Renewal Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$45

Due:

Biennially by the end of the month of initial certification.

Virginia Landscape Architect License

Agency:Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects

Initial Registration

Form:

LA License Application

Agency Fee:

$125

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

LA License Application

Agency Fee:

$125

Required Attachments:

Applying by Comity with a CLARB Certificate Record:

  • Landscape Architect License Application
  • Council of Landscape Architect Registration Board (CLARB) Certificate Record that includes verification of current licensure in another state, jurisdiction, territory of the United States.

 

Applying by Comity without a CLARB Certificate Record:

  • Landscape Architect License Application
  • Three Landscape Architect Reference Form (less than one year old);
  • Experience Verification Form to document all required experience;
  • Degree Verification Form or official transcript; and
  • Verification of Examination and Licensure Form to verify a passing grade on a nationally-recognized examination which leads to licensure as a landscape architect and verification of current licensure in another state, jurisdiction, territory of the United States.

Registration Renewal

Form:

LA License Renewal Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$110

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 17, 2023. Complete data last reviewed February 15, 2023.
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