50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Alabama Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Alabama.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Alabama for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Alabama Architecture Company Licenses

Alabama Certificate of Authorization to Practice Architecture

Agency:Alabama Board for Registration of Architects
Law:

Ala. Code § 34-2-37

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Professional Association
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Limited Liability Partnerships
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Ownership Requirements:

All Entity Types:

  • Two-thirds (2/3) or more of the officers, partners, directors, members, or others (depending on the legal structure of the entity) must be registered/licensed architects and/or licensed engineers in any United States jurisdiction and must also be voting stockholders/shareholders of the entity.
  • At least one (1) of the stockholding/shareholding officers, partners, directors, or members must be an architect registered in the State of Alabama, who has authority to contractually bind the entity and whose name and registration seal shall appear on all documents prepared under his/her responsible control. 
  • A firm required to be qualified by the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office (SOS) to do business in Alabama may file such qualification documents with the SOS Office concurrently with this application.  A copy of the submitted SOS documents, showing the date submitted, should be attached to this
    application. The firm entity name on the application must be the same as the firm entity name filed on the SOS documents. 
  • If the firm is dissolved or reorganized, or if there is a change in the address, email, or in the registered architect(s) in responsible control of the practice of architecture in Alabama, the entity must notify the Board in writing within thirty (30) days
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

This section applies to architectural firms that are applying for a license in Alabama for the first time. If you already have a license and are looking to renew it, please see the renewal section.

Form:

Certificate of Authorization Application Request Form

Instructions:

First-time applicants applying for a Certificate of Authorization must fill out and email the Certificate of Authorization Application Request Form to licensing@boa.alabama.gov. Once this request form has been processed, you will be notified when access to the licensing portal is available to complete the Certificate of Authorization application. 

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$75 + $3 online processing fee

Notarize:Required
Notes:

Qualified Party: At least 1 of the shareholding officers or directors, must be an architect registered in the State of Alabama, who has authority to contractually bind the entity and whose name and registration seal shall appear on all documents prepared under his/her responsible control.

How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. Apply for name reservation through the Secretary of State. Entities whose name contains some form of 'architect' must have their name approved by the Board of Architects before reserving their name.
  2. Form your business entity with the Secretary of State and apply for a firm license through the Board of Architects (these filings can be made concurrently).

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Apply for name reservation through the Secretary of State. Entities whose name contains some form of 'architect' must have their name approved by the Board of Architects before reserving their name.
  2. Foreign qualify your business entity with the Secretary of State (if required) and apply for a firm license through the Board of Architects (these filings can be made concurrently).
Required Attachments:
  • A copy of entity formation or foreign qualification documents that were submitted to the Alabama Secretary of State.
  • A list of officers, partners, directors, or members of the entity including their position in the firm, address, profession (if any), home state of registration, and Alabama license number (if any).
  • A list of the voting stockholders/shareholders of the entity including address, profession (if any), Alabama license number, and % of shares owned.
Bond Amount:

None

Background Check Requirements: ACCESS PREMIUM DATA

Registration Renewal

This section applies to architectural firms that are already licensed in Alabama and need to renew their license.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$75 license fee + $3 online processing fee

Due:

Annually by April 30.

Notarize:Required
Penalties:

$75 late fee

Notes:

Renewal notifications will be mailed or emailed to every firm entity holding a CoA.

Required Attachments:
  • A list of officers, partners, directors, or members of the entity including their position in the firm, address, profession (if any), home state of registration, and Alabama license number (if any).
  • A list of the voting stockholders/shareholders of the entity including address, profession (if any), Alabama license number, and % of shares owned.

Amendment

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Within 30 days of the effective date of the change.

Notes:

Notify the board via email with changes to firm information.

Reinstatement

Agency Fee:

$460, which includes a $250 reinstatement application fee, $135 registration renewal fee, and $75 late penalty.

Notes:

There is no reinstatement application. Instead, submit a new license application with the renewal and penalty fees.

Alabama Interior Design Firm License

Not required



Interior Design Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Alabama.

Alabama does not currently license or register interior design businesses.

Alabama Landscape Architecture License

Not required



Landscape Architecture Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Alabama.

Alabama no longer issues certificates of authorization to landscape architecture firms.

More information: Alabama Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects

Individual Licenses

Alabama Individual Architecture Licenses

Alabama Architect License

Agency:Alabama Board for Registration of Architects
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Yes
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

This section applies to architects that are applying for a license in Alabama for the first time.

Form:

Application and Instructions for Registration by Examination/Intern

Agency Fee:

$10 application fee (does not include exam fees)

Notes:

Candidates must have completed a professional degree in architecture from a NAAB (National Architectural Accrediting Board) accredited college or university; and completed NCARB’s Architectural Experience Program (AXP) prior to making application.

Required Attachments:
  • Your official transcript (or have your university forward)
  • Citizenship Affidavit and documentation
  • Copies of IDP Experience Reports (showing employer details and hours, not summary reports) documenting a minimum of 930 hours of the NCARB IDP

Reciprocal Registration

This section applies to architects licensed in another state that are looking for reciprocal licensure in Alabama.

Form:

Uniform Application for Architect Registration

Agency Fee:

$150 + $6 credit card fee

Notarize:Required
Required Attachments:

Registration Renewal

This section applies to architects that are already licensed in Alabama and need to renew their license.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$135

Due:

Annually by December 31.

Penalties:

$75 late fee

Alabama Interior Designer Registration

Agency:Alabama Board for Registered Interior Designers
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Registered Interior Designer

Agency Fee:

$300

Required Attachments:
  • A copy of an acceptable proof of citizenship
  • A current copy of your resume

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Application for Registration as an Interior Designer by Reciprocity

Agency Fee:

$300

Required Attachments:
  • Proof of citizenship or legal presence in the United States

Registration Renewal

Form:

Application for Renewal as a Registered Interior Designer

Agency Fee:

$160

Due:

Annually by September 30.

Penalties:

There is a $75 penalty fee for late filing.

Notes:

Individuals granted initial registration after May 31st are not required to pay the renewal fee.

Alabama Landscape Architect Registration

Agency:Alabama Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Registration to Practice Landscape Architecture

Agency Fee:

$150 application fee + $50 originial certificate fee + $150 license fee

Notarize:Required

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Application for Registration to Practice Landscape Architecture

Agency Fee:

$500

Notes:

If you have a CLARB record, instead:

  1. Coordinate with CLARB to send the board a copy of your council record.
  2. Complete Section 1 of the state application and send $500 to ABELA, 2777 Zelda Road, Montgomery, AL 36106. Alternatively you may pay the fee online.
  3. Send proof with your application that you are (or not) a US citizen. Complete the immigration form located on the Application & Forms page of the board website.
  4. Send in a copy of your most current CE report.
  5. Become familiar with the board handbook as the State Supplemental Exam will be based on its contents.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Annually by January 1.

Penalties:

There is a $50 late fee if filed after January 31.

Learn about architecture licensing in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

ARE (Architect Registration Examination) - Assesses candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required to be a practicing architect.

AXP (Architectural Experience Program) - NCARB program for architectural internship, a requirement for licensure that occurs after filling the educational requirements.

BEFA (Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect) - An alternative NCARB certification that allows foreign architects to independently practice architecture.

COA (Certificate of Authorization) - The most common name of the registration required for firms to practice architecture in a given state.

Design Firm - Architectural firm registration is sometimes grouped with engineering and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.

NCARB Certification - Licensed architects have the option to become Certificate holders to signify that they have met national standards established by U.S. licensing boards for protecting public health, safety, and welfare. Certification also facilitates reciprocal registration in all 54 jurisdictions, 11 Canadian jurisdictions, and can be used to support an application for licensure in other countries.

Reciprocity - This is when a licensed architect in one state can provide documentation (often a NCARB certificate) to more easily apply for licensure in another jurisdiction.

State Board - Often referred to as the State Architects Licensure Board or Board of Architects, an individual state’s board serves as the regulatory authority for architects. The board qualifies and licenses individuals seeking architectural licensure. The board is responsible for preserving the public health, safety, and welfare of individuals who occupy built environments.

National Architecture Accrediting Board
NAAB establishes criteria for and accredits professional architecture degree programs in the United States.

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
AIAS is an independent, student-run group that promotes excellence in architecture education, training, and practice.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
AIA is a voluntary professional organization for architects providing advocacy, information, and community.

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
ACSA represents architectural education programs across the globe.

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
NCARB is the national organization representing the state registration boards.

Revised March 15, 2023. Complete data last reviewed February 14, 2023.
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