Military Candidates
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Overview
The Board will expedite the licensure process for current members or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were honorably discharged. Current and former members of the military may possess transferable skills that help them meet the minimum experience requirements required of all candidates. The Board may assist these individuals by:
- Expediting the application process once the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214) is received by the Board; and
- Evaluating college transcripts to verify education credit.
Please submit a Military Expedite Request Form along with your application. If there are any questions, contact the Board.
The federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) authorizes service members or their spouses who currently hold a valid license in good standing in another state, district, or territory to practice in California within the same profession or vocation, if they relocate to California because of military orders. For individuals who desire to practice in California under the terms of the SCRA, please visit: https://www.dca.ca.gov/military/federal.shtml.
The Board will review the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214) or its equivalent provided by a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Even if the military transcript is unavailable, please provide the Board with a copy of the DD-214 so that the Board may provide with appropriate service.
The Military / Joint Service Transcript may be requested by using the following links:
Expedited Licensure for a Military Spouse / Domestic Partner
The Board will expedite the licensure process for the spouse or domestic partner of those on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces who are assigned to a duty station in California under official active duty military orders and those who were granted asylum by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the United States Attorney General pursuant to Section 1158 of Title 8 of the United States Code, or has a special immigrant visa and was granted a status pursuant to Section 1244 of Public Law 110-181, Public Law 109-163, or Section 602(b) of Title VI of Division F of Public Law 111-8, relating to Iraqi and Afghan translators/interpreters or those who worked for or on behalf of the United States government, and provides evidence of that status shall have the review of their application expedited pursuant to Section 135.4 of the Code.
In addition to reciprocity requirements a candidate, who is licensed or registered in another U.S. jurisdiction, must either:
- Have a current and valid certification issued by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and apply through the NCARB Certification process; or
- Provide verification of eight years of experience pre- or post-licensure through either work experience or a combination of work experience and education (transcripts must be submitted by the school to the Board, submissions by a candidate are not acceptable) and apply through the experience process.
If licensed less than three years, provide evidence of completion of the NCARB Architectural Experience Program.
NOTE: Expedited licensure does not guarantee a license will be issued. (Business and Professions Code section 115.5).