Licensees FAQ

The retired license is intended for an architect who has reached the end of their career and wishes to have formal, permanent closure on their license. We have found that many architects do not wish to have a “delinquent” or “expired” license status, because these terms can have negative connotations. The retired license provides an alternative without any perceived stigma.

You will receive a wall certificate stating that you are a retired architect, and you will acquire the right to use the title “retired architect”; your license will have a status of “Retired” in our public license search.

You can use the title of “Retired Architect” if you no longer wish to practice and bring formal closure to your professional architect career. Your record will also show a “Permanently Retired” Status after 5 years, rather than a “Delinquent or Expired” status for those that just let their license lapse without renewing or retiring their license.

Anytime your license is active, or within five years from the date of your last renewal. Please be advised that nonrenewable licenses, meaning licenses that have been expired more than five years, are not eligible for retirement.

No. The retired license does not permit any architectural work that requires an active license.

No. The $40 fee is a one-time payment.

No. You will only need to complete CE if you later choose to bring your license back to an active status; within five years from the date of your last renewal.

Yes. The retired license has no effect on your ability to renew. You have five years from the expiration date of your license to renew it, even if you’ve retired it in the meantime, upon payment of all accrued renewal fees during the time the license was retired (plus a possible delinquency fee). After five years, your license becomes nonrenewable, and thereafter cannot be renewed or reinstated under any circumstances. The retired license does not change any of this.

If you plan on renewing your license within 5 years from the date of last renewal you must then complete the CE requirements for the current renewal cycle.

No. The retired license is intended as a permanent closure of the license. It cannot be used as a temporary suspension and using it in this way provides no benefits over simply letting your license expire.

Yes. CAB will accept a legible scanned copy of the retired license application sent via email provided the application is complete and has your signature. However, we cannot accept payment over the phone. Payment must be by check or money order and mailed to the CAB office at the address located at the top of this FAQs.

Yes. CAB will accept a retired license application with your digital signature through a provider, such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign, that meet the requirements specified in Government Code section 16.5. The California Secretary of State’s Office has an FAQs regarding digital signatures that may be of assistance to you

Please see the Business or Firm webpage.

Architects that have a license due for renewal after January 1, 2023, are required to self-certify completion of five (5) hours of CE on ZNCD in addition to another five (5) hours of CE on disability access requirements for a total of 10 CE hours.

Yes. Architects renewing their license for the 2023 – 2025 licensure period, are required to complete five (5) hours of CE on ZNCD in addition to five (5) hours of CE on disability access requirements for a total of 10 CE hours.

Yes. This requirement applies to all architects who have a license due for renewal after January 1, 2023, regardless of when they renew their license.

Coursework must be completed prior to the license expiration date when renewing a license in a timely manner. Architects who renew a delinquent license must have completed the CE requirement within the previous two years (24 months) prior to the date they submit the renewal application.

Yes. CE requirements are a condition of renewal and apply to all architects who have a license due for renewal after January 1, 2023, regardless of their length of licensure.

Architects will continue to certify on their renewal applications that they have completed the required CE coursework.

Architects must maintain records that document completion of the required coursework, such as a certificate of course completion or course transcripts, for at least two years after the renewal date. Records must include the following:

• Course title
• Subjects covered
• Name of provider
• Name of educator/trainer
• Date of completion
• Number of hours completed
• Statement about the trainer/educator’s knowledge and experience

Architects selected for continuing education coursework audits, will receive an email from the Board with a request for copies of coursework completion documentation. The Board recommends architects keep their email address current and set a rule that allows @dca.ca.gov email addresses to ensure you receive our emails.

Architects selected for continuing education coursework audits, have fifteen (15) calendar days to respond to the Board with documentation. Failure to respond may result in a citation, which may have a monetary penalty, or disciplinary action.

Architects, or CE providers on their behalf, may submit evidence of coursework completion directly to the board through our online submission tool.

Yes, architects will be notified of their audit results by email.

No, self-directed study is not acceptable for completion of the requirement. The related law (Business and Professions Code section 5600.05) requires that coursework must be presented by trainers or educators with knowledge and expertise in these design requirements.

The Board does not provide, endorse, or pre-approve any CE courses or providers. Architects must determine if the completed course meets the requirements of Business and Professions Code section 5600.05.

The Board is working to develop regulations that will establish qualifications for courses and course providers by July 1, 2024.

No.

Yes. A circular shape 1" minimum–2" maximum in diameter is specified in the regulations.

Yes. Provided that they comply with the requirements set in the CCR section 136.

The design can be composed of solid lines (thin or thick), or broken lines, such as dashes or dots. Other possibilities include a rope or beaded effect or words forming the circle.

No. Any type style is acceptable as long as it is legible.

No. It only has to be permanent and photo-reproducible.

Yes. A stamp generated as a drawn image from a computer will be acceptable, provided that all required elements are present in the design. However, verify with local jurisdiction for specific stamp and signature requirements.

None, as far as the stamp is concerned. Although the Architects Practice Act (Act) specifies "renewal date" for the language that indicates validity of the license, the term "expiration date" will be acceptable. The date to be written is the date when the current license comes up for renewal in the future. It is designated that way to indicate the period of validity, just as a charge card does.

No. Each licensee must have his or her own stamp.

Yes. However, there is no law requiring it.

No. Although some states may have used that designation, the Architects Practice Act (Act) specifies the term "licensed architect" as the required title for California licensees.

No, but the stamp must be readily legible and all information must be contained within the 1"–2" diameter circle.