50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Minnesota Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Minnesota.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Minnesota 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

Minnesota Architecture Company Licenses

Minnesota Professional Firm Registration

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design (AELSLAGID)
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.

Individual Licenses

Minnesota Individual Architecture Licenses

Minnesota Architect License

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design (AELSLAGID)
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 Interior Designer Certification

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design (AELSLAGID)
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 Landscape Architect License

Agency:Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design (AELSLAGID)
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.

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 16, 2023. Complete data last reviewed February 15, 2023.
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