Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Florida Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Florida.

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

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Company Licenses

Florida Architecture Company Licenses

Florida Architectural Business Registration

Agency:Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design
Law:

F.S. § 481.219

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

Business Corporations:

  • At least one of the principal officers must be an architect licensed in Florida.

Professional Corporations:

  • Shareholders of Florida PCs must be either licensed individuals, a professional corporation, or a professional limited liability company.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least one of the principal members must be an architect licensed in Florida.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • Shareholders of Florida PLLCs must be either licensed individuals, a professional corporation, or a professional limited liability company.

Partnerships:

  • At least one of the partners must be an architect licensed in Florida.
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Fact Checked:1/6/21

Initial Registration

Form:

Form AR 5: Qualify an Architectural Business Organization

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

  • BUSINESS OFFICER: You must report one of the following:

    • Florida-licensed architect must be a principal officer of the company to qualify the business.

    • A principal officer as defined and registered with the Department of State, Division of Corporations www.sunbiz.org; or

    • Any other officer who has management responsibilities in the business entity, as documented by the charter or by-laws.

  • SUPERVISORY CONTROL:

    • Florida-licensed architect must be in responsible supervisory control of all business offices including branch offices.

Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Identify a Florida licensed individual to act as the qualifying architect and a Florida licensed individual to act as the responsible supervisor for each Florida branch office location.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify a Florida licensed individual to act as the qualifying architect and a Florida licensed individual to act as the responsible supervisor for each Florida branch office location.
  • Ensure that your Florida 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 formation documents to form a Florida business entity with the Department of State.
  2. Submit an Application to Qualify an Architectural Business Organization with the Board of Architecture and Interior Design.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File a foreign entity qualification application to foreign qualify your entity with the Department of State.
  2. Submit an Application to Qualify an Architectural Business Organization with the Board of Architecture and Interior Design.
Fact Checked:1/6/21

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Architectural Business Registrations do not expire, but qualifying architects must maintain their individual licenses in order for the firm to remain in good standing.

Amendment

Form:

Form AR 7: Architect Business – Request for Address Change, License Renewal, Qualifier Change, Branch Office Responsible Supervisor in Control, or Business Closure

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Within 30 days of a change to information reported on the initial registration application.

Fact Checked:1/6/21

Florida Interior Design Certificate of Authorization

Agency:Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design
Fact Checked:8/27/19

Initial Registration

Form:

Interior Design Certificate of Authorization Application (ID 3)

Filing Method:

File by mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$100

Fact Checked:8/27/19

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

File online

Agency Fee:

$125

Due:

By February 28 of odd-numbered years.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Not required
Fact Checked:8/27/19

Florida Interior Design Firm License

Not required



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

Florida no longer requires interior design firms to obtain a license.

More information: Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design

Florida Landscape Architecture Business Registration

Agency:Florida Board of Landscape Architecture
Fact Checked:3/10/21

Initial Registration

Form:

Form LA 8: Qualify a Business

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$0

Notarize:Not required
Fact Checked:3/10/21

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Landscape architectural business registrations do not expire, but qualifying landscape architects must maintain their individual licenses in order for the firm to remain in good standing.

Individual Licenses

Florida Individual Architecture Licenses

Florida Architect License

Agency:Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design
NCARB Certificate:Not required
Completion of CE/PDH:Required
Fact Checked:8/10/19
Interview:Not required
NAAB-accredited degree:Required
NCARB IDP:Required
Additional Experience:Not required
State-specific exam:Not required

Initial Registration

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

Form:http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/arch/documents/AR1_Licensure_by_Exam.pdf
Agency Fee:

$60 application fee. (Direct Registration; No board exam fee.)

Fact Checked:8/10/19

Reciprocal Registration

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

Agency Fee:

$90

Fact Checked:8/10/19

Registration Renewal

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

Agency Fee:

$125

Due:

By February 28 of odd-numbered years.

Fact Checked:8/10/19

Florida Interior Designer License

Agency:Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design
Fact Checked:8/27/19

Initial Registration

Form:

Application to take the National Council of Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ) Exam (ID 1)

Filing Method:

File by mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$30

Fact Checked:8/27/19

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Endorsement Applicant (ID 4)

Filing Method:

File by mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$30

Notes:

Reciprocal registration for interior designers licensed in other jurisdictions.

Fact Checked:8/27/19

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Architect Seeking a Separate Interior Designer License (AR 4)

Filing Method:

File by mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$30

Notes:

Reciprocal registration for Florida-licensed architects.

Fact Checked:8/27/19

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

File online.

Agency Fee:

$125

Due:

By February 28 of odd-numbered years.

Fact Checked:8/27/19

Florida Landscape Architect Registration

Agency:Florida Board of Landscape Architecture
Fact Checked:10/14/19

Initial Registration

Form:

Form DBPR LA 1: Application for Individual Licensure

Agency Fee:

$100 application fee + $279 exam fee + $112.50 license fee + $5 unlicensed activity fee. If you graduated from an LAAB Accredited program within the last 2 years the $100 application fee is waived.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$230

Due:

By November 30 of odd-numbered years.

Learn about architecture licensing in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

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.

Revised March 10, 2021. Complete data last reviewed August 10, 2019.
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