50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
An overview look of an architectures blueprints

Connecticut Architecture Industry Licensing

A pencil, ruler, and set of blueprints

Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Connecticut.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Connecticut 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.

Check Your Status For Free  Understand your current status and see recommended actions. Get Your Free  Harbor Compliance Score
Filter LicensesClear Filters
Company Licenses
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(2)
Individual Licenses
(1)
(1)
(1)

Company Licenses

Connecticut Architecture Company Licenses

Connecticut Interior Design Firm License

Not required



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

Connecticut does not currently license or register interior design businesses.

Connecticut Joint Practice License

Agency:Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection - Occupational and Professional Licensing Division
Law:

Conn Gen Stat § 20-306b

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Service Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Professional Associations
  • Partnerships
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • Persons licensed as architects, landscape architects, professional engineers, or land surveyors must own not
    less than 2/3 of the voting stock of the corporation.
  • Each profession must own a minimum of 20% of the voting stock of the
    company.

Professional Service Corporations:

  • Persons licensed as architects, landscape architects, professional engineers, or land surveyors must own not
    less than 2/3 of the voting stock of the corporation.
  • Each profession must own a minimum of 20% of the voting stock of the
    company.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Persons licensed as architects, landscape architects, professional engineers, or land surveyors must own not
    less than 2/3 of the voting interest of the LLC.
  • Each profession must own a minimum of 20% of the voting interest of the
    company.

Professional Associations:

  • Each member of the association must be a licensed in one of the professions offered by the association.

Partnerships:

  • At least 1/2 of the partners or principals must be licensed architects and each member engaged in the practice of engineering must be licensed.
Qualifying Individual Requirements:

The person in responsible charge of the practice of architecture,engineering, land surveying for a corporation or limited liability company must be licensed.

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Joint Practice of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Professional Engineering, & Land Surveying

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$565

Notarization Required?:Required
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Ensure that your business entity will meet ownership requirements and that the firm has at least one licensed individual to act as the responsible party for each professional service.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Ensure that your Connecticut business entity will meet ownership requirements and that the firm has at least one Connecticut licensed individual to act as the responsible party for each professional service.
  • Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity's home state (to be filed during the foreign qualification process). The certificate cannot be more than 90 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
  2. Obtain a Certificate of Legal Existence (good standing) from the Connecticut Secretary of State to be filed with the license application.
  3. Submit an Application for Architecture Corporation to the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File a foreign qualification application with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
  2. Submit an Application for Architecture Corporation to the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board along with a certificate of good standing from the secretary of state of your entity's home state.
Required Attachments:
  • A Certificate of Good Standing issued by the state of incorporation dated not more than 30 days prior to filing the application
  • List of directors, officers, managers or members including address, title, and Connecticut license number (if applicable)
  • List of holders of voting stock or voting shares (include address, title, and Connecticut license number)
  • List of the personnel in responsible charge of the architectural, engineering, landscape architecture, or land surveying services provided by the firm (include address, title, and Connecticut license number)

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$375

Due:

Annually by April 30.

Notes:

Renewal notices are sent approximately 30-45 days prior to the expiration date.

Required Attachments:
  • List of directors, officers, managers, or members of the firm including addresses
  • List of licensees in responsible charge of the firm's professional services
  • List of holders of voting stock or voting interest

Connecticut Landscape Architecture License for Corporate Practice of Landscape Architecture

Agency:Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection - Board of Landscape Architects
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes

Initial Registration

Form:

Corporate Practice of Landscape Architecture Application Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$80

Notarization Required?:Required
Required Attachments:
  • List of directors, officers, managers, or members of the firm including address and Connecticut license number
  • List of licensees in responsible charge of the firm's professional services
  • List of holders of voting stock or voting interest

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$200

Due:

Annually by July 31.

Notes:

Renewal notices are sent approximately 30-45 days prior to the expiration date.

Connecticut License for Corporate Practice of Architecture

Agency:Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection - Architectural Licensing Board
Law:

CT Stat. § 20-298b

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Service Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Professional Associations
  • Partnerships
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • The chief executive officer and all personnel acting on behalf of the corporation as architects must be licensed architects.

Professional Service Corporations:

  • Not less than 2/3 of the individual members of the PC must be Connecticut licensed architects.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Not less than 2/3 of the individual members of the LLC must be Connecticut licensed architects.

Professional Associations:

  • All members must be licensed architects.

Partnerships:

  • All partners must be licensed architects.

Initial Registration

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

Form:

Application for Licensure for Corporate Practice of Architecture

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$50

Notarization Required?:Required
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Ensure that your business entity will meet ownership requirements.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Ensure that your Connecticut entity meets ownership requirements.
  • Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity's home state (to be filed during the foreign qualification process). The certificate cannot be more than 90 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
  2. Obtain a Certificate of Legal Existence (good standing) from the Connecticut Secretary of State to be filed with the license application.
  3. Submit an Application for Architecture Corporation to the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File a foreign qualification application with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
  2. Submit an Application for Architecture Corporation to the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board along with a certificate of good standing from the secretary of state of your entity's home state.
Required Attachments:
  • A Certificate of Good Standing issued by the state of incorporation dated not more than 30 days prior to filing the application
  • List of the individuals licensed to practice architecture in Connecticut who shall be in charge of architectural work by said corporation in Connecticut, including all directors, officers, managers or members (include address, title, and Connecticut license number)
  • List of holders of voting stock or voting shares (include address, title, and Connecticut license number)

Registration Renewal

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$220

Due:

Annually by July 31.

Notes:

Renewal notices are sent approximately 30-45 days prior to the expiration date.

Required Attachments:
  • List of directors, officers, managers, or members of the firm including addresses
  • List of licensees in responsible charge of the firm's professional services
  • List of holders of voting stock or voting interest

Amendment

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

To report changes in firm information, submit an updated application with "Revised" written on the top.

Reinstatement

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$220 Renewal fee + $22 late fee per year expired.

Notes:

Licenses expired for more than 3 years cannot be reinstated and licensees should instead apply for a new license.

Individual Licenses

Connecticut Individual Architecture Licenses

Connecticut Architect License

Agency:Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection - Architectural Licensing Board
Exam Required?Yes

Initial Registration

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

Form:

Application for Architect's License

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$72 application fee + $190 license fee due upon approval

Reciprocal Registration

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

Form:

Application for Architect's License

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$100 application fee + $190 license fee due upon approval

How to Apply:

Methods by which licensure can be obtained by waiver of examination:

  1. Architects currently registered or licensed in another State applying with a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Certificate Record.
    1. Contact the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and request a Certificate Record (In Support of Application for State Registration) be sent to the State of Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board.
    2. Complete the Application for Architect’s License (Form CPAR-01) and mail along with a check in the amount of $100, payable to Treasurer, State of Connecticut, to the address indicated on the form.
  2. Architects currently registered or licensed in another State presenting evidence satisfactory to the Board that such State has registration requirements substantially equal to the licensure requirements of the State of Connecticut and that they have been practicing in such other State for a period of at least ten continuous years. This application procedure is also referred to as Direct Endorsement.
    1. Mail the Architect’s Certification from State of Licensure (Used a Basis for Direct Endorsement), Form (CPAR-02), to this State and request that it be completed and mailed directly to the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board.
    2. In addition, mail the NCARB Examination Scores Reporting Form to the State(s) where you first applied and taken your Architect Registration Examination (as a candidate of that State). Request that it be completed and mailed directly to the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board.
    3. Complete the Application for Architect’s License (Form CPAR-01) and mail along with a check in the amount of $100.00, payable to Treasurer, State of Connecticut, to the address indicated on the form.

Registration Renewal

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$190

Due:

Annually by July 31.

Connecticut Interior Designer Registration

Agency:Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection - Occupational and Professional Licensing Division

Initial Registration

Form:

Interior Designer Registration Form

Agency Fee:

$190

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$190

Due:

Annually by December 31.

Connecticut Landscape Architect License

Agency:Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection - Board of Landscape Architects

Initial Registration

Form:

Landscape Architect Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$80

Notarization Required?:Required

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Landscape Architect Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$80

Notarization Required?:Required
Notes:
  • The Board considers applicable statutes and regulations from the state in which the applicant is currently licensed and shall make a determination of whether the licensure standards are substantially similar to or higher than those of Connecticut. An applicant’s experience and/or education shall either be equal to or greater than that required by Connecticut.
  • An applicant seeking reciprocal licensing or a waiver of the examination requirement shall provide the Board with a Council Certificate furnished by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). For good cause shown, the Board may permit an applicant, in lieu of a Council Certificate, to submit information regarding education, examination, and experience in the form of a CLARB Council Record.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$160

Due:

Annually by July 31.

Learn about architecture licensing in other states:

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.