REGISTRATION BOARD LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

Select Jurisdiction:

PUERTO RICO

Board of Examiners Division
Maria Santos

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
P.O. Box 9023271
San Juan, PR 00902-3271
787/722-2122
787/722-4818
msantos@estado.gobierno.pr

Each jurisdiction sets its own requirements for initial registration, examination, and corporate practice. The information presented here was submitted to NCARB by each registration board in response to NCARB's 2010 Member Board Requirements survey. Because each jurisdiction may change its rules, statutes, and regulations at any time, it is always advisable to check with the individual board to verify registration and practice requirements.

NCARB does not set national requirements. However, you may view the NCARB position on each requirement, based on requirements specified in the Education Guidelines, Rules of Conduct, and Legislative Guidelines and Model Law/Model Regulations.

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Initial Registration

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1	Is there a residency requirement?	Yes
1a	If yes, please supply the applicable statutory/regulatory provisions.	"For exemption, one or more of the following may be required: A. Proof that applicant is a specialist in a particular field and is associated to a professional corporation whose principals are licensed architects or landscape architects and are residents in Puerto Rico; B. Sworn statement by a professional corporation principal, who is a licensed architect or landscape architect and a resident in Puerto Rico, stating that unsuccessful efforts were made to recruit a capable specialist in a particular field in Puerto Rico; C. Proof that the applicant is associated for his professional practice with another licensed architect or landscape architect who is a resident of Puerto Rico; D. Proof certified by the government agencies regulating the profession at the applicant’s base jurisdiction that: 1. the requirements of that jurisdiction are not in conflict with those of Puerto Rico, and 2. the requirements of that jurisdiction are not less than those of Puerto Rico, and 3. the professionals from Puerto Rico are offered the same rights in reciprocity and granted exemption of residency requirements, if any."
2	Is a professional degree from a NAAB-accredited program required to satisfy your board's education requirement?	Yes
3	Does your board accept a professional degree in architecture from a CACB-accredited program or a professional degree in architecture certified by the CACB, from a Canadian university as an alternative means of satisfying your education requirement?	No
4	Does your board accept an EESA-NCARB Education Evaluation of foreign education (as described in the NCARB Education Standard) as an alternative means of satisfying your education requirement?	Yes
5	Does your board accept experience as alternative means of satisfying your education requirement?
5a	With a four-year pre-professional degree?	No
5b	With a high school diploma?	No
6	If you answered yes to Question 5a, how many years of acceptable experience are required with a four-year, pre-professional degree in architecture?
7	If you answered yes to Question 5b, how many years of acceptable experience are required with a high school education only?
8	Will completion of the IDP alone satisfy your Board's training requirement?	No
8a	If the IDP alone will not satisfy your Board's training requirement, please list the other requirements.	Puerto Rico law requires verification of a minimum of two years of acceptable experience after registration with the Board as Architect in Training.
9	Does your Board require verification of a minimum of three years of acceptable employment duration?	No
9a	If yes, when does the duration begin?	Puerto Rico law requires verification of a minimum of two years of acceptable experience after registration with the Board as Architect in Training.
10	Does your board allow early eligibility for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE)?	Yes
11	If you answered yes, when can an intern qualify for Early Eligibility?	a. after completion of NAAB-accredited degree program
12	If you answered yes to question 11, please indicate how much experience (or training hours) is required?
13	How are early eligibility requests processed?	Requests are reviewed and approved/rejected by the Board.
13a	If your board reviews the requests, please provide the link to where instructions can be found on your web site.
14	Does your board charge a fee for processing exam applications?	Yes
14a	If yes, what is the fee?	$70
15	If you answered yes to Question 14, is this a one-time fee or are additional fees required?	Additional fees may be required
15a	If additional fees are required, what are they?	$70 annually
16	Does your jurisdiction allow appeal of exam scores?	Yes
17	Does your jurisdiction allow review of exam divisions?	Yes
18	In addition to NCARB’s rolling clock requirement, does your jurisdiction have any additional rules regarding timeframes within which a candidate must pass the ARE?	Yes
18a	If yes, please explain.	Puerto Rico law requires taking two exam divisions for Architect in Training Certificate renewal every five years.
19	In addition to the ARE, is there a jurisdiction-specific exam(s)?	No
19a	If yes, what is the subject, format, location?
20	Is an interview required for registration?	No
20a	If yes, what is the format and location?
21	What is the application fee for initial registration?	$100 for Architects in Training; $150 for Licensed Architects
22	Where can the intern obtain the application? (Provide a web link if possible)	Puerto Rico Department of State www.estado.gobierno.pr
23	Does your board charge a processing fee to verify an official Registration and Examination History Report?	No
23a	If yes, how much is the processing fee and how does the architect submit the form for verification?

Reciprocal Registration

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24	What is your jurisdiction/state's application fee for reciprocal registration?	$150
25	Is an NCARB certificate required for reciprocal registration?	Yes
26	Other than the state application/fee, are there any additional requirements for reciprocal registration for applicants with the NCARB Certificate?	Yes
26a	If yes, please list requirements.	1. Proof of permanent residence in Puerto Rico. For exemption requirements see 2a in Initial Registration section. 2. Certificate of negative police criminal record from applicant’s jurisdiction. 3. Negative child support certificate from ASUME (Puerto Rico Administration for the Support of Minors). 4. Three (3) certificates of good moral character signed by licensed architects or from applicant’s jurisdiction with proof of their current licenses. 5. Proof that the applicant has a professional degree in architecture, obtained at a NAAB-accredited institution, after completing a study program for a minimum of five (5) academic years. 6. Proof of current licensure in good standing at base jurisdiction. 7. Proof of compliance with continuous education requirements (10 Lu's per year). 8. Fully completed form for Application for License under Reciprocity, including pictures and all required documents and fees.
27	Will your board accept a non-certified (Buff Cover) NCARB Record as documentation of an architect’s qualifications for reciprocal registration?	No
27a	Comments
28	Does reciprocal registration based on an NCARB Certificate require a vote of your board?	Yes
28a	If yes, how often does your board meet to consider reciprocal registration applications?	Monthly
29	Does your board require retroactive documentation of experience for reciprocal licensure if the architect has not completed the Intern Development Program (IDP) for initial licensure?	No
29a	Comments	The architect must prove that the requirements of his base jurisdiction are not less than those of Puerto Rico: two year's experience working under the direct supervision of a licensed architect.
30	Does your jurisdiction accept Canadian architects holding an NCARB Certificate earned through the requirements in Chapter 2 of the Handbook for Interns and Architects?	Yes
30a	Comments
31	Does your board accept an NCARB Certificate that was granted upon satisfaction of the requirements of the Broadly Experienced Architect (BEA) program?	No
31a	Comments	Puerto Rico law requires a degree from a NAAB-accredited program that was a minimum of five years.
32	Does your board accept for reciprocal registration an NCARB Certificate that was granted to a foreign architect who satisfied the requirements of the Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) program?	No
32a	Comments	Puerto Rico law requires a degree from a NAAB-accredited program that was a minimum of five years.

Registration Renewal

view registration renewal requirements

33	What is the renewal fee for registration?	$150
34	What is the frequency of renewal?	Five years for resident architects; one year for reciprocity of non-residents
35	Does your board require completion of continuing education/professional development as a condition for registration renewal?	Yes
36	If yes, what is your board's requirement in total number of units/hours:
36a	Overall units/hours required	50 hours for resident five-year renewal; 10 hours per year for reciprocity of non-residents
36b	HSW units/hours required	34 hours for resident five-year renewal; seven hours per year for recprocity of non-residents
36c	SD units/hours required
36d	ADA units/hours required
36e	Other (please describe)
37	Do you accept, without exception, another jurisdictions continuing education if their requirements are equal to or more stringent than yours?	No
37a	Comments	All coninuous education units must be accredited by the Continuous Education Revision Commission at the Colegio de Arquitectos y Arquitectos Paisajistas de Puerto Rico

Practice Requirements

view practice requirements requirements

38	Does your jurisdiction require firm registration as a condition for firm practice?	No
39	Is an NCARB Certificate holder not registered in your jurisdiction allowed to offer services in your jurisdiction without first being registered?	No
39a	If yes, what are the formal steps required?
40	Is an NCARB Certificate holder not registered in your jurisdiction allowed to compete in a design competition in your jurisdiction without first being registered?	No
40a	If yes, what are the formal steps required?
41	May an architect not registered in your jurisdiction (but registered in another U.S. jurisdiction) associate with an architect registered in your jurisdiction to assist in performing services on a project in your jurisdiction when the local registered architect assumes responsible control overall aspects of the project?	Yes
41a	If yes, what are the formal steps required?	The local architect must stamp and sign all documents.
42	May a foreign architect not registered in your jurisdiction (but registered in another country) associate with an architect registered in your jurisdiction to assist in performing services on a project in your jurisdiction when the local registered architect assumes responsible control overall aspects of the project?	Yes
42a	If yes, what are the formal steps required?	The local architect must stamp and sign all documents.

Registration Requirements Comparison Charts

Initial Registration Requirements | Reciprocal Registration Requirements | Registration Renewal Requirements | Practice Requirements

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