Starting the Licensure Process

If you previously had an eight-digit testing number please contact the Board before you establish an NCARB Record.

• Establish an NCARB Record and select California as the testing jurisdiction

• Complete the Application for Eligibility Evaluation

Complete one of the four pathways

• If you have a degree from any U.S. university/college or you earned a degree from a Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) program, please complete and submit NCARB’s Transcript Form (Form 122) and have your school(s) send your transcript(s) directly to NCARB.
• If you do not have a degree from a NAAB/CACB program, you must submit an Employment Verification Form (EVF).
• EVFs must be free of errors and require an original signature of the licensed professional signing the form when submitted hardcopy.
• A scanned original signature or a qualified e-signature (DocuSign, Adobe Sign, etc.) is acceptable for EVFs uploaded to your Connect account or sent to the Board via email.

Typed or stamped signatures are not acceptable on EVFs.

Complete the ARE (pass each division within the ARE Score Validity Policy); the following are the current divisions:

• Practice Management
• Programming and Analysis
• Project Development and Documentation
• Project Management
• Project Planning and Design

Complete the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) or Internship in Architecture Program (IAP)

• You may begin reporting AXP hours once you turn 18 or the equivalent of a graduate from high school.
• You may also concurrently fulfill this requirement at the same time as you are completing the ARE.
• Allow 30-45 days for NCARB to transmit the AXP Record before inquiring about your CSE eligibility status.

You must request NCARB transmit your AXP Record to the Board after completing the ARE.

• Submit an Application for CSE
• Examination results are provided at site upon completion of the CSE

Carefully read the letter you receive from PSI for important information

Submit a complete set of fingerprints for a criminal background check.

• You may submit fingerprints prior to taking the CSE.
• Candidates outside California must request hard cards for fingerprint submission.

Complete an Application for Licensure

• Allow 6-8 weeks for the criminal background clearance and issuance of your California architect license before requesting a status update.

• Complete the California Architect Reciprocity Application

Submit your current and valid certification issued by the NCARB;

Provide verification of eight years of pre- or post-licensure experience performed through either work experience or a combination of work experience and education.

• Transcripts must be directly submitted by the school to the Board.
• Submissions by a candidate will not be accepted.

Submit evidence of completion of the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) or Internship in Architecture Program (IAP)

• Applies only to architects licensed less than three years and is not required if applying through the NCARB Certification.

• Submit an Application for CSE
• Examination results are provided at the site and either a license application or a retest application is provided to candidate

Submit a complete set of fingerprints for a criminal background check.

• You may submit fingerprints prior to taking the CSE.
• Candidates outside California must request hard cards for fingerprint submission.

Complete an Application for Licensure

• Allow 6-8 weeks for the criminal background clearance and issuance of your California architect license before requesting a status update.

• Complete the California Architect Reciprocity Application

• Submit your current and valid NCARB Certificate

Complete the CSE

• Submit an Application for CSE
• Examination results are provided at the site and either a license application or a retest application is provided to candidate

You must possess a valid Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, if not eligible for a U.S. Social Security Number.

Submit a complete set of fingerprints for a criminal background check.

• You may submit fingerprints prior to taking the CSE.
• Candidates outside California must request hard cards for fingerprint submission.

Complete an Application for Licensure

• Allow 6-8 weeks for the criminal background clearance and issuance of your California architect license before requesting a status update.