Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design

Please Note

We are a service company that can help you file with the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design. We are not associated with this nor any other government agency. We offer paid services and software to help you file. You are not required to purchase our service to file - you may file directly with this agency without using our service.

Contact Information

Physical address:
85 East 7th Place, Suite 160
St. Paul, MN 55101

Phone: (651) 296-2388, TTY: 1-800-627-3529
Fax: (651) 297-5310

Web: Home Name search

Notes: Office Hours: 8:00-4:30 M-F

Licenses

We track the following licenses with the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design in order to provide compliance services to our clients. As a client, you see this and other reference data in License Manager in-line with your licenses.

A laptop placed on a desk with our License Manager software on display

Minnesota Architect License

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design
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 Minnesota for the first time.

Form:http://mn.gov/aelslag/architecture.html
Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$120 original license fee + $75 exam fee 

Notes:
  • Applicants must be graduates of an architectural curriculum accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
  • If your degree is a) not NAAB-accredited or b) from a foreign institution, you must have Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA), a fee-based service available from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), evalute your education to determine if it meets licensure requirements.
  • Applicants must pass all six divisions of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). The exam is administered by the National Council of Architect Registration Boards (NCARB).
  • Applicants must successfully complete the experience defined in NCARB's Architectural Experience Program (AXP) before they can be licensed. The program consists of 3,740 hours spread over six experience areas. You will document your experience in your NCARB Record.
  • Special note to those who previously applied first to the Board (not direct with NCARB) to sit for the exam: If your NCARB Record shows you completed your AXP no more than six months after you passed your final division of the ARE, you do not need to complete the online license application below. That previous exam application will serve also as your initial license application. If it was more than six months, then you will need to use the online license application, as your prior application will have been closed as “incomplete.”
    • If you applied direct to NCARB to sit for the ARE exam, use the online architecture license application to obtain your license.
    • If you did not specify Minnesota as your jurisdiction when you first established your NCARB Record, you must do so prior to applying to the Board for licensure. Your NCARB Record includes your official transcripts (or, if applicable, your education evaluation) and your examination and experience information. It is a required part of the application process.

Reciprocal Registration

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

Form:

Architect Comity Application 

Instructions:
  • If you were initially licensed on or after January 1, 1991, you must have an NAAB-accredited or equivalent degree.*
  • If you were initially licensed on or after March 1, 1997, you must show that you have completed NCARB IDP/AXP.
  • If you were initially licensed before January 1, 1991, you must meet the Minnesota requirements for education, examination and experience in effect when you were initially licensed (see www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?view=archive, select the relevant year, then “Chapters 1800 to 1805.”
  • IF you DO have an NCARB Record 

1. Complete pages 1, 3 and 4, skipping page 2 (Parts B-D).
2. Request that your NCARB Record be sent to Minnesota: Log into My NCARB (my.ncarb.org/Login). Go to “NCARB Record,” select “Request Transmittal of NCARB Record,” and follow the instructions. Do NOT complete the Experience Reference or Licensure Verification forms. Your NCARB Record provides the needed information.

  • If you DO NOT have an NCARB Record

1. Complete ALL parts of pages 1-4.
2. Request that your educational institution(s) send an official transcript, showing the degree awarded and the date of graduation. This official transcript must be sent to the Board office in the original, sealed envelope from the institution emailed from the institution to aelslagid@state. mn.us.
3. Complete the “Applicant” portion of the Verification of Exams and Current Licensure Form for any state in which you hold a valid license and (if different) the state that holds your ARE® Exam results. Send them both pages of that form, along with any fee they may require* and a stamped envelope addressed to the Minnesota Board (see address above). ** Some states charge a fee for verification of your records. To avoid delay in processing your request, you may wish to contact your state to determine if there is a fee or any additional instructions.
4. Complete the “Applicant” portion of the Experience Reference Form and send to your supervisor(s) for completion. See that form for instructions.

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

$120 license fee + $100 application fee

Due:

Regardless of when obtained, your license expires June 30th of every even-numbered year.

Notes:Comity applicant must meet MN Statutes and Rules in effect at time of original licensure in their base state.
Required Attachments:
  • You must submit a final, official transcript from each educational institution. Transcripts must arrive in a sealed envelope from the institution or be emailed from the institution to aelslagid@state.mn.us.
  • Provide separate copies of this form to each supervisor you listed on Part E: Experience References of the Architect by Comity Application Form. Include only the information/hours appropriate to each supervisor. Provide the supervisor(s) with ALL pages of this form, including this instruction page.

Registration Renewal

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$120 renewal fee + $2.50 credit card/bank fee

Due:

By June 30 of even-numbered years.

Minnesota Geologist-in-Training Certificate

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Fundamentals of Geology

Agency Fee:

$25 application fee + $200 exam fee.

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Minnesota Interior Designer Certification

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Certified Interior Designer Application

Agency Fee:

$120

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal Form

Agency Fee:

$120

Due:

By June 30 of even-numbered years.

Minnesota Land Surveyor License

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Exam Application

Form:

Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) and Minnesota Land Surveying Exam Application

Agency Fee:

$75

Notes:

There are separate fees for the exams.

Initial Registration

Agency Fee:

$120

Notes:

After passing all 3 exams, applicants are notified by mail how to apply for a license.

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal Form

Agency Fee:

$120

Due:

By June 30 of even-numbered years.

Minnesota Land Surveyor-in-Training Certificate

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam Application

Agency Fee:

$25

Notes:

There is a separate fee for the fundamentals exam.

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Surveyor-in-Training certificates do not expire.

Minnesota Landscape Architect License

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Landscape Architecture License Application

Agency Fee:

$75 application fee + $120 license fee

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal Form

Agency Fee:

$120

Due:

By June 30 of even-numbered years.

Minnesota Professional Engineer License

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Yes
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

A stamp, printed signature, or electronically created signature has the same force and effect as an actual signature if it creates an accurate depiction of the licensed or certified professional's actual signature.

MN Stat. § 326.12

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

The certification and signature may be electronic, as defined by Minnesota Statutes, section 325L.02, paragraph (h); facsimile; or digital.

Minnesota Admin Rules 1800.4200

Initial Registration

Form:

Principles & Practice of Engineering Exam Application

Instructions:
  • In general, applicants for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam or the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam must hold an EAC-ABET accredited engineering degree or its equivalent. Those attending but not yet graduated from an EAC-ABET accredited engineering program may sit early for the FE Exam when the requirements in MN Rule 1800.2500 Subp. 2 are met.
  • If your degree is not EAC-ABET accredited, you will need to have your education evaluated. You must use one of the two evaluation companies listed below. Request a Subject Analysis Evaluation. This evaluation type is required; other evaluation types will not be accepted. The original evaluation report must be sent directly from the evaluation service to the Minnesota Board, either by US mail or electronically.
  • In most instances, applicants must first pass the FE Exam and then the PE Exam in order to be considered for licensure (although the FE Exam can be waived under certain conditions—see MN Rule 1800.2800). Both exams are administered by the NCES
  • To determine how to sit for the FE, read the education description below that matches your situation.
    • Situtation 1 - EAC-ABET accredited bachelors degree (or within 32 semester credits of graduation with such a degree) or EAC-ABET accredited graduate degree (or have earned 24 semester credits towards such a degree): Register directly with NCEES.
    • Situation 2  - Non-EAC-ABET accredited degree (including graduate degree in a discipline where the bachelors degree in same discipline is EAC-ABET accredited) or foreign degree: You must first apply to the Board for approval to register with NCEES for the FE as a Minnesota candidate. Use the FE application packet
Agency Fee:

$75 exam fee + $120 license fee.

Reciprocal Registration

Instructions:
  • If you already hold a license in another jurisdiction or took the required exams in another jurisdiction, use Online Services to apply for a license in Minnesota. There are two means by which to apply; both are available through Online Services—you select your choice within Online Services.
    • Comity applications are reviewed based on the education, examination and experience requirements that were in place in Minnesota at the time of your original licensure. (For example: If you were originally licensed in 1998, your credentials will be evaluated based on the education, examination and experience requirements that were in place in Minnesota in 1998). Your required experience must have been obtained prior to passing the PE exam and it must be verified by whomever was your supervisor at that time.
    • EEE (Education, Examination, and Experience) applications are reviewed based on licensure requirements currently in place in Minnesota. This application method is for those who did not obtain all of their experience prior to passing the PE exam or who are unable to verify experience obtained prior to the exam. Those who wish to request a waiver of the FE exam must also apply by EEE. Applicants may submit verified experience that was obtained after passing the PE exam to meet the minimum experience requirement.
  • To document that you have met all requirement, you can either submit an NCEES Record (your answer to one of the application questions) or complete the "Education" and "Experience" sections of the online application
  • If you choose not to send an NCEES Record, you'll see—once you submit payment—additional forms to complete and instructions to follow in the "Documents" section of the online application, including Experience Reference forms that you must sign and send to the appropriate supervisor(s). The completed Experience form must be sent by the supervisor directly to the Board. An example of a completed Experience form is in the Additional Resources section.
  • If you choose not to send an NCEES Record, you will also need to have your exam scores, proof of licensure in another state, and evidence of meeting the education requirements (transcripts or an education evaluation). Again, see the "Documents" section.
  • Whether or not you submit an NCEES Record, refer to the "Documents" section for additional instructions and updates on the status of your application.
Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$120

Due:

 June 30th of every even-numbered year.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$120 + $2.50 credit card fee per license

Due:

By June 30 of even-numbered years.

Minnesota Professional Firm Registration

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design
Law:

MN St. § 326.14

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Professional Corporations
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
  • Professional Limited Liability Partnerships

Business Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and other entities may provide work of an architectural or engineering character but are not required to register as a firm.

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Ownership Requirements:

PCs, PLLCs, and PLLPs:

  • Ownership interest in the corporation can be held only by licensed design professionals, other entities authorized to provide at least one of the same professional services, a voting trust if all voting trustees are licensed design professionals, or an employee stock ownership plan where all voting trustees are design professionals.

Other entity types:

  • A licensed individual must be appointed in responsible charge of professional services rendered by the firm, but the individual need not be an officer or owner.
Notes:
  • This registration is only issued to professional entities and does not apply to standard business entities.
  • Minnesota does not issue a license number. Firm registrations are listed by name only and can be verified by contacting the board by phone or email.
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Automatic Exemption

Exemption Eligible Organizations:

Non-professional entities such as business corporations and LLCs are generally exempt from this registration requirement.

Agency Fee:

$0

Initial Registration

Form:

Professional Firm Registration Application

Instructions:
  1. A completed Firm Registration Application.This application must be signed by an individual whoholds a current license/certificate from the Board, and
    is an owner or employee of the professional firm.
  2. The application also requires that you list all owners/those with governance authority.
    1. "Governance authority" means the authority and responsibility to:determine important policies for a professional firm;
      superintend the professional firm’s overall operations; and
      maintain general, active management of and ultimate control over all matters involving professional judgment. (MN Statute 319B.02.9)
  3. A copy of your Articles of Incorporation (for Minnesota firms) or Certificate of Authority (for non-Minnesota—otherwise known as "foreign"—firms) from the Minnesota Secretary of State website or call 651-296-2803.
    1. Be sure to include not just the page signed by the Secretary of State but also the page that notes your "Professional Status"/319B election.
      $100.00 filing fee (Make the check payable to the “MN Board of AELSLAGID”).
Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$100

Turnaround:

7 to 10 business days after successful filing and payment

Law:

MN Statute 319B

Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Identify a Minnesota licensed design professional, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's professional design activities in the state.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify a Minnesota licensed design professional, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's professional design activities in the state.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Minnesota Secretary of State.
  2. Obtain a copy of your approved entity formation documents to file with the firm registration application.
  3. File a Professional Firm Registration Application with the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with the Minnesota Secretary of State.
  2. Obtain a copy of your approved foreign qualification documents to file with the firm registration application.
  3. File a Professional Firm Registration Application with the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design.
Required Attachments:
  • A copy of your Articles of Incorporation or your Certificate of Authority (after foreign qualifying)
  • A list of owners and individuals with "governance authority" 
    • Someone who determines important policies for the firm
    • Someone who oversees the firm's overall operations
    • Someone who maintains the general, active management of and ultimate control over matters involving professional judgment

Registration Renewal

Form:

Professional Firm Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$25

Due:

Annually by December 31.

Required Attachments:
  • List of directors, officers, managers, or members of the firm including addresses (only required if there were changes)
  • Updated copy of articles of incorporation or certificate of authority (if changes have occurred)

Amendment

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

Notify the board of changes via phone or email.

Reinstatement

Form:

Professional Firm Renewal Form

Agency Fee:

$25 for each year expired.

Notes:

Licenses that have been expired for longer than 4 years cannot be reinstated and the licensee should instead apply for a new license.

Minnesota Professional Geologist License

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

A stamp, printed signature, or electronically created signature has the same force and effect as an actual signature if it creates an accurate depiction of the licensed or certified professional's actual signature.

MN Stat. § 326.12

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

The certification and signature may be electronic, as defined by Minnesota Statutes, section 325L.02, paragraph (h); facsimile; or digital.

Minnesota Admin Rules 1800.4200

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Professional Geologist

Agency Fee:

$75 application fee + $250 exam fee + $120 license fee due after approval of application.

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$120

Due:

By June 30 of even-numbered years.

Minnesota Professional Soil Scientist License

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Practice of Soil Science Exam Application

Agency Fee:

$75 application fee + $195 exam fee + $120 license fee due after approval of application.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$120

Due:

By June 30 of even-numbered years.

Minnesota Soil Scientist-in-Training Certificate

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Fundamentals of Soil Science Exam Application

Agency Fee:

$25 application fee + $195 exam fee.

Renewal Not Required

Not required



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