Louisiana State Board of Architectural Examiners

Online

$90 for residents and $150 for non-residents

Online

$150 for residents and $300 for non-residents

To obtain a reciprocal registration in Louisiana, all applicants must hold a current and valid license in a U.S. jurisdiction and an NCARB certificate.

1. Individuals interested in becoming licensed in Louisiana should contact NCARB to establish a certificate or to have their record transmitted to Louisiana.
2. Once your NCARB record has been transmitted, you will receive notification from NCARB and the board will email you instructions on how to begin your application in the Licensing Portal.

Online

$90 for resident architects and $175 for out of state architects.

Annually by December 31.

Email a Firm Application Request Form to hlavigne@lsbae.com then apply through the online portal after board approval.

$75 for in-state firms and $150 for out-of-state firms.

Domestic Applicants:

• Identify a Louisiana licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's architectural activities.

Foreign Applicants:

• Identify a Louisiana licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's architectural activities.
• 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.

Domestic Applicants:

1. If the name of the entity will contain some form of the word "architect", first obtain a letter of name approval from the State Board of Architectural Examiners.
2. File entity formation documents with the Louisiana Secretary of State - Commercial Division.
3. Email a copy of the Firm Application Request Form to Holly Lavigne at hlavigne@lsbae.com.
4. Once approved by the board, access the licensing portal to submit a license application.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Determine whether or not your entity will need to foreign qualify in Louisiana. If not required, skip to number 4.
2. If the name of the entity will contain some form of the word "architect", first obtain a letter of name approval from the State Board of Architectural Examiners.
3. File foreign qualification documents with the Louisiana Secretary of State - Commercial Division.
4. Email a copy of the Firm Application Request Form to Holly Lavigne at hlavigne@lsbae.com.
5. Once approved by the board, access the licensing portal to submit a license application.

Online

$75 for in-state firms and $150 for out-of-state firms.

Annually by June 30.

Firms that fail to renew their license and continue to practice are subject to the following fines:

• $250 for practicing architecture 3 to 6 months with an expired certificate of authority
• $500 for practicing architecture 6 to 12 months with an expired certificate of authority
• $500 per year for each year or partial year practicing architecture with an expired certificate of authority

Forms for various amendments to the Certificate of Authorization can be found here

Email

$0

Information must be up to date before the next renewal period.

Notify board via email with the changes.

Instructions for how to apply for reinstatement can be found here. 

Online

$150 in-state; $300 out-of-state

Firms practicing architecture in Louisiana without renewing their registration may be assessed a fine of up to $1,000 for the first year and $1,000 per year thereafter and will be publicly reprimanded.

• A firm/business practicing architecture whose registration has lapsed more than 91 days will be considered “expired” and must complete the Reinstatement Application and pay appropriate renewal and reinstatement fees. Applications will not be considered complete until all supporting documentation (if any required) is received.
• Applications that are not completed within 90 days of submittal will become invalid.

Email a Firm Application Request Form to hlavigne@lsbae.com then apply through the online portal after board approval.

$75 for in-state firms and $150 for out-of-state firms.

Domestic Applicants:

• Identify a Louisiana licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's architectural activities.
• Ensure that your business entity will meet ownership requirements.

Foreign Applicants:

• Identify a Louisiana licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's architectural activities.
• Ensure that your Louisiana entity will meet 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.

Domestic Applicants:

1. If the name of the entity will contain some form of the word "architect" or "engineer", first obtain a letter of name approval from the Louisiana State Board of Architectural Examiners and/or the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board respectively.
2. File entity formation documents with the Louisiana Secretary of State - Commercial Division.
3. Email a copy of the Firm Application Request Form to Holly Lavigne at hlavigne@lsbae.com.
4. Once approved by the board, access the licensing portal to submit a license application.
5. If your firm also plans to offer engineering services, see this page for guidance on obtaining a license from the Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Determine whether or not your entity will need to foreign qualify in Louisiana. If not required, skip to number 4.
2. If the name of the entity will contain some form of the word "architect", first obtain a letter of name approval from the State Board of Architectural Examiners.
3. File foreign qualification documents with the Louisiana Secretary of State - Commercial Division.
4. Email a copy of the Firm Application Request Form to Holly Lavigne at hlavigne@lsbae.com.
5. Once approved by the board, access the licensing portal to submit a license application.
6. If your firm also plans to offer engineering services, see this page for guidance on obtaining a license from the Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board.

Online

$75 for in-state firms and $150 for out-of-state firms.

Annually by June 30.

$0

Information must be up to date before the next renewal period.

Notify board via email with the changes.

Architectural-Engineering Corporation Registration Reinstatement Form

$150 in-state; $300 out-of-state