REGISTRATION BOARD LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

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CALIFORNIA

California Architects Board
Douglas McCauley

2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 105
Sacramento, CA 95834
916/574-7220
916/575-7284
cab@dca.ca.gov

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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Canadian Boards
International Practice

Initial Registration

view initial registration requirements

1	Is there a residency requirement?	No
1a	If yes, please supply the applicable statutory/regulatory provisions.
2	Is a professional degree from a NAAB-accredited program required to satisfy your board's education requirement?	No
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?	Yes
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?	Yes
5b	With a high school diploma?	Yes
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?	4.5 years
7	If you answered yes to Question 5b, how many years of acceptable experience are required with a high school education only?	Eight years
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.	Candidates must also complete an evidence-based overlay program called the Comprehensive Intern Development Program (CIDP).
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?	Contact Board
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?	b. after review by the Board that the intern has met the requirements for Early Eligibility
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?	$100
15	If you answered yes to Question 14, is this a one-time fee or are additional fees required?	One-time fee
15a	If additional fees are required, what are they?	For those candidates who remain active in the examination process. There is an additional fee for the California Supplemental Examination (CSE). Contact board.
16	Does your jurisdiction allow appeal of exam scores?	No
17	Does your jurisdiction allow review of exam divisions?	No
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.	Candidates must remain active in the examination process to continue testing. "Active in the examination process" means taking at least one exam (pass or fail) within five years of being determined eligible or since a previous exam was taken.
19	In addition to the ARE, is there a jurisdiction-specific exam(s)?	Yes
19a	If yes, what is the subject, format, location?	California Supplemental Examination (CSE). 2010 administrations of the CSE are in an oral format. Beginning February 2011 the CSE will change to a computer-delivered format (similar to the ARE). Check the Board's Web site (www.cab.ca.gov) under Candidates for the content areas covered, specific administration dates (2010 administrations only), and exam locations.
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?	$200
22	Where can the intern obtain the application? (Provide a web link if possible)	Available only to candidates who successfully complete the California Supplemental Examination (CSE). The Application for Licensure will be included with a candidate's CSE results only if successful.
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

view reciprocal registration requirements

24	What is your jurisdiction/state's application fee for reciprocal registration?	$35 California Reciprocity Application fee; $100 California Supplemental Examination fee; $200 Application for Licensure fee.
25	Is an NCARB certificate required for reciprocal registration?	No
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.	Successful completion of the California Supplemental Examination.
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?	No
28a	If yes, how often does your board meet to consider reciprocal registration applications?
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?	Yes
29a	Comments
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
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	Must have successfully completed the Architect Registration Examination.

Registration Renewal

view registration renewal requirements

33	What is the renewal fee for registration?	$200
34	What is the frequency of renewal?	Every two years.
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
36b	HSW units/hours required
36c	SD units/hours required
36d	ADA units/hours required	2.5 hours until 12/31/2010. After 1/1/2011, five hours.
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?	Yes
37a	Comments

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?	Contact board
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?	Contact board

Registration Requirements Comparison Charts

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

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