In the State of California there are many pathways to becoming a Licensed Architect.

The California Architects Board (Board) was created in 1901 by the California Legislature to fulfill the mission of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public through the regulation of the practice of architecture in California. It is one of numerous entities within the Department of Consumer Affairs responsible for consumer protection and the regulation of licensed professionals. The Board establishes regulations for examination and licensing of the profession of architecture in California, which today numbers over 21,000 licensed architects and approximately 10,000 candidates who are in the process of meeting examination and licensure requirements. Information below can be found on www.cab.ca.gov

NCARB

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) is a nonprofit organization made up of the architectural licensing boards for 55 US states and territories and has three strategic goals: facilitate licensure, foster collaboration, and centralize data. The Board works collaboratively with NCARB to achieve its goals and fulfill its mission of protecting consumers. NCARB provides services to the Board that are required as components of licensure. Information below can be found on www.ncarb.org

Among the requirements a candidate must complete are the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) to receive a California license. The AXP requirement provides a framework for gaining professional experience, and the ARE is the nationally recognized architectural licensing examination. Both the AXP and ARE are NCARB-administered programs and two of the many services it provides the Board.

Additionally, NCARB offers its Certificate to licensees. The NCARB Certificate indicates a licensee has met the national licensure standard and facilitates reciprocal licensure for candidates wishing to practice in other member jurisdictions. Reciprocal licensure candidates who apply and request a transmittal of their NCARB Certificate are immediately eligible for the California Supplemental Examination (CSE). California does not require licensees to maintain an NCARB Certificate as a condition of licensure.

Overview

California’s examination and licensure requirements to become an architect are more flexible than most other jurisdictions. Although each candidate’s path to licensure may differ, all will complete the process with the necessary knowledge, skills, and ability to be a licensed architect who practices in a way that protects the health, safety, and welfare of Californians.

No single aspect can accurately measure whether an individual is qualified to be licensed to practice architecture in California. The Board considers three separate aspects of an individual’s architectural development—education, experience, and examination—when assessing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to competently perform the services required of an architect.

A candidate who provides evidence of having completed the following requirements is eligible to receive a license to practice architecture:

• Be at least 18 years of age or the equivalent of a graduate from high school
• Five years of architectural educational experience or the equivalent as specified in the Board’s regulations¹
• Architectural Experience Program (AXP) or the Canadian Provincial Internship in Architecture Program (IAP)^{1, 2}
• All divisions of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE)
• California Supplemental Examination (CSE)

It is important to note that each candidate may have different education and training backgrounds, and it is not possible to describe each education and experience background.

Pathways

To be eligible for the ARE and begin the licensure process, a candidate must furnish evidence of completing the required education or training experience in architectural work (or the equivalent). Candidates may possess a degree from an accredited program, graduate from an Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) program, possess a degree from a nonaccredited program, or solely document work experience. A description of each path is provided as follows (or you may use the Board’ requirements for eligibility page to find how much credit you will receive):

Degree from a NAAB/CACB Program
or NAAB ESSA

Degree from a NAAB/CACB Program
or NAAB ESSA