District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Landscape Architecture

Online

$65 application fee + $120 license fee

• Items Needed for Application
  
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age;
  • Applicants must not have been convicted of a crime or moral turpitude which bears directly on the applicant’s fitness to be licensed;
  • Complete an online application, submitting required supporting documents and TOTAL FEE. You will not be invoiced later for the license fee;
  • One passport-type photo of the applicant’s face, measuring approximately 2”x2”. Home snapshots and computer photographs are not acceptable.
  • U.S.-government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license.
    Additional Requirements for all Architect Applicants for Licensure by Examination
  • Applicants must be a graduate of a degree program in architecture from an accredited institution. Proof of a bachelor’s of architecture degree, or a master’s degree in architecture should be submitted to NCARB; and
  • Applicants must complete the training requirements of the Mandatory AXP (Architect Experience Program) administered by NCARB; and
  • Applicants must have received a passing score on ALL parts of the ARE to be issued an architecture license. Interested applicants are allowed to take parts of the ARE while completing the AXP. Exam scores will be sent directly to the Board of Architecture and Interior Design. NOTE: An applicant may take portions of the ARE provided that all AXP requirements are completed before licensure is obtained.
  • Applicants must request that the NCARB Examination File be sent to the Board of Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture when the applicant has successfully passed the examination.
  • Note: The applicant should inform NCARB that they are taking the ARE to become registered in the District of Columbia.
• Additional Requirements for all Architect Licensure by Endorsement
  • Applicants must apply for endorsement through NCARB. Applicants must request that his/her NCARB examination/work history file be sent directly to the Board of Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture.
    Additional Requirements for all Interior Designer Applicants for Licensure by Examination
  • Applicants must possess a current certificate from CIDQ showing that they have met CIDQ’s education, experience, and examination requirements and must upload a CIDQ certificate. An applicant must have received a passing score on ALL parts of the CIDQ examination prior to applying for a District of Columbia license. An applicant taking the national examination for the first time must take ALL parts of the CIDQ examination. Thereafter, an applicant may take one or more parts of the examination at subsequent administrations until a passing score is achieved on all parts of the examination; and
  • Applicants who hold licenses from other jurisdictions must have passed the NCIDQ examination and hold a current certificate from CIDQ.

• Examination
  Schedule an exam online as instructed for each license type below.
• Architects: Examinations are available through the National Association of Architectural Registration Boards. To schedule an exam, visit ncarb.org.

$65

Online

$155

By April 30 of even-numbered years.

The District of Columbia Board of Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture mandates a total of 24 professional development units of continuing education to renew your license. Note: This requirement applies to all applicants for the renewal of or a license to practice architecture, except those applicants seeking the first renewal of a license granted by examination. A renewal applicant must submit proof via course certificates or transcripts of having completed 24 hours of credit in approved continuing education programs in health, safety, and welfare subjects during the term of the license (May 1, 2018 – April 30, 2020). To qualify for approval by the Board, a continuing education program must be prepared, offered, administered, or accepted by an entity approved by the American Institute of Architects or accepted by an entity approved by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

Online

$65 application fee + $110 license fee

Online

$120

By October 31 of even-numbered years.

Online

$65 application fee + $155 license fee

Online

$155

By April 30 of odd-numbered years.