South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners

Please Note

We are a service company that can help you file with the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners. 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:
Synergy Business Park, Kingstree Building
110 Centerview Dr.
Columbia, SC 29210

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 11419
Columbia, SC 29211-1419

Phone: (803) 896-4408

Web: Home Name search Forms
Email: Contact.Arch@llr.sc.gov

Notes: Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Licenses

We track the following licenses with the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners in order to provide compliance services to our clients. As a client, you see this and other Compliance Core™ data in License Manager in-line with your licenses.

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

South Carolina Architect License

Agency:South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners
Exam Required?Yes

Initial Registration

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

Form:

Reciprocity / Exam Application

Instructions:

Exam requirements, instructions and supplemental forms

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$165

Reciprocal Registration

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

Form:

Reciprocity / Exam Application

Instructions:

Reciprocity requirements, instructions and supplemental forms

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$165

Notes:

All applicants for licensure by reciprocity must hold an NCARB Certificate.

Registration Renewal

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

By June 30 of odd-numbered years.

South Carolina Certificate of Authorization (Architecture)

Agency:South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners
Law:

SC Code § 40-3-270

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

Business Corporations:

  • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint a South Carolina licensed architect to be responsible for all architectural activities undertaken by the firm in South Carolina.
  • If the company is a Business Corporation, Partnership, Professional Corporation, Limited Liability Corporation or Limited Liability Partnership, a Tax ID Number must be furnished or application cannot be processed.

Professional Corporations:

  • All shareholders, at least 1/2 of the directors, and all of the officers (excluding the secretary and treasurer) must be licensed a in professional service performed by the firm.
  • If the company is a Business Corporation, Partnership, Professional Corporation, Limited Liability Corporation or Limited Liability Partnership, a Tax ID Number must be furnished or application cannot be processed.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members and managers need not be licensed, but the LLC must appoint a South Carolina licensed architect to be responsible for all architectural activities undertaken by the firm in South Carolina.
  • If the company is a Business Corporation, Partnership, Professional Corporation, Limited Liability Corporation or Limited Liability Partnership, a Tax ID Number must be furnished or application cannot be processed.

Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint a South Carolina licensed architect to be responsible for all architectural activities undertaken by the firm in South Carolina.
  • If the company is a Business Corporation, Partnership, Professional Corporation, Limited Liability Corporation or Limited Liability Partnership, a Tax ID Number must be furnished or application cannot be processed.
Notes:

If you are an out-of-state corporation, the Certificate of Authorization (COA) application must be
accompanied by the Certificate of Authority issued by the South Carolina Secretary of State

Initial Registration

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

Form:

Application to License Firms, Corporations, or Partnerships

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$100

Turnaround:

Applications take up to 2 weeks to process

Original Ink:Not Required
Notarization Required?:Not Required
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

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

Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify a South Carolina licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's architectural activities in South Carolina.
  • 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 30 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business Filings.
  2. File an Application to License Firms, Corporations, or Partnerships with the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with the South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business Filings.
  2. File an Application to License Firms, Corporations, or Partnerships and the secretary of state issued foreign qualification certificate with the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners.
Required Attachments:
  • A Certificate of Authority issued by the South Carolina Secretary of State (if a foreign entity)
  • South Carolina entities must provide a certificate of existence or certificate of good standing from the South Carolina Secretary of State
  • List of principals, partners, corporate officers, owners, and directors including title, profession, and resident state license number
  • Complete the Affidavit Section and have it signed by an officer of the firm and the architect in charge of the work performed in South Carolina.

Registration Renewal

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

Form:

Certificate of Authorization Renewal Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$185

Due:

By August 31 of odd-numbered years.

Amendment

Form:

Amended Certificate of Authorization (COA)

Filing Method:

Email

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

If there is a change in ownership, management, or the architect in responsible charge during the year, the change must be filed with the board within 30 days.

Original Ink:Not Required
Notarization Required?:Not Required
Notes:

Notify the board in writing with any changes. Address changes can be reported online.

Reinstatement

Form:

COA Reinstatement Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$100

Related Government Agencies

Explore other South Carolina government agencies we can help you stay compliant with:


Order Registered Agent Service

In my opinion, their "Human Touch" element is what really makes this company stand out! I wouldn't go anywhere else!
JanaeLaw Offices of Donald W. Hudspeth, PC
It's awesome to know that Harbor Compliance is looking out for my customers' best interests and will only do what's right for them.
RyanFOUR16 CPA
Are You Compliant?
Answer just a few questions and our software searches public databases to detect your status and gaps.
Sign Up for Emails
Better Business Bureau logo
Trustwave logo

© 2012 - 2025 Harbor Compliance. All rights reserved.

Harbor Compliance does not provide tax, financial, or legal advice. Use of our services does not create an attorney-client relationship. Harbor Compliance is not acting as your attorney and does not review information you provide to us for legal accuracy or sufficiency. Access to our website is subject to our Terms of Use and Service Agreement.

Terms of Service Privacy Policy Secure Shopping