50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Ohio Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Ohio.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Ohio 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

Ohio Architecture Company Licenses

Ohio Architecture Certificate of Authorization

Agency:Ohio Architects Board
Law:

OH R.C. § 4703.18

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

Business Corporations:

  • More than 1/2 of the shareholders and directors of the corporation must be licensed design professionals.
  • More than 1/2 of the shares or interests must be owned by design professionals with an active registration in any state
  • More than 1/2 of the firm's board of directors (in a corporation) must be active registered design professionals in any state.
  • At least one of the directors must be an Ohio licensed architect.
  • One architect/landscape architect with an active Ohio registration is in responsible charge of the professional activities and decisions of the firm
  • The firm must hold an active registration as a domestic or foreign business entity in the state of Ohio with the Ohio Secretary of State

Limited Liability Companies:

  • More than 1/2 of the members and managers of the LLC must be licensed design professionals.
  • More than 1/2 of the shares or interests must be owned by design professionals with an active registration in any state
  • More than 1/2 of the firm's board of directors (in a corporation) must be active registered design professionals in any state.
  • At least one of the members or managers must be an Ohio licensed architect.
  • One architect/landscape architect with an active Ohio registration is in responsible charge of the professional activities and decisions of the firm
  • The firm must hold an active registration as a domestic or foreign business entity in the state of Ohio with the Ohio Secretary of State

Partnerships:

  • More than 1/2 of the partners must be licensed design professionals.
  • More than 1/2 of the shares or interests must be owned by design professionals with an active registration in any state
  • More than 1/2 of the firm's board of directors (in a corporation) must be active registered design professionals in any state.
  • At least one of the partners must be an Ohio licensed architect.
  • One architect/landscape architect with an active Ohio registration is in responsible charge of the professional activities and decisions of the firm
  • The firm must hold an active registration as a domestic or foreign business entity in the state of Ohio with the Ohio Secretary of State

Professional Associations:

  • All of the incorporators and officers must be licensed individuals.
  • More than 1/2 of the shares or interests must be owned by design professionals with an active registration in any state
  • More than 1/2 of the firm's board of directors (in a corporation) must be active registered design professionals in any state.
  • One architect/landscape architect with an active Ohio registration is in responsible charge of the professional activities and decisions of the firm
  • The firm must hold an active registration as a domestic or foreign business entity in the state of Ohio with the Ohio Secretary of State
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

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

Filing Method:

Firms can apply online but must also submit a Firm Ownership Spreadsheet with the online application.

Agency Fee:

$125

Turnaround:

2-3 business days

Notarize:Required
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Ensure that your business entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • Identify an Ohio licensed architect to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in Ohio.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Ensure that your Ohio entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • Identify an Ohio licensed architect to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in Ohio.
  • 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 entity formation documents with the Ohio Secretary of State.
  2. Create an online account and complete the firm registration through the Ohio Architects Board. You will be asked to submit a full list of the firm's owners and a copy of the certificate/registration to do business in Ohio from the Ohio Secretary of State.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with the Ohio Secretary of State.
  2. Create an online account and complete the firm registration through the Ohio Architects Board. You will be asked to submit a full list of the firm's owners and a copy of the certificate/registration to do business in Ohio from the Ohio Secretary of State.
Required Attachments:
  • List of Firm Owners
  • A copy of the certificate/registration to do business in Ohio from the Ohio Secretary of State

Registration Renewal

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Notes:

Firms will be notified via email 60 days prior to the expiration date.

Required Attachments:
  • List of directors, officers, managers, or members of the firm including addresses
  • Firm ownership attachment detailing 100% of the firm's ownership
  • List of licensees in responsible charge of the firm's professional services

Amendment

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Within 30 days of the effective date of the change.

Notes:

Notify the board in writing with any changes. A change of firm name requires that you reapply and pay the $125 fee registration fee

Ohio Interior Design Firm License

Not required



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

Ohio does not currently license or register interior design businesses.

Ohio Landscape Architecture Certificate of Authorization

Agency:Ohio Board of Landscape Architects
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Firms can apply online but must also submit a Firm Ownership Spreadsheet with the online application.

Agency Fee:

$125

Required Attachments:
  • List of Firm Owners
  • A copy of the certificate/registration to do business in Ohio from the Ohio Secretary of State

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by June 30.

Notes:

Firms will be notified via email 60 days prior to the expiration date.

Required Attachments:
  • List of directors, officers, managers, or members of the firm including addresses
  • Firm ownership attachment detailing 100% of the firm's ownership
  • List of licensees in responsible charge of the firm's professional services

Individual Licenses

Ohio Individual Architecture Licenses

Ohio Architect License

Agency:Ohio Architects Board
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 Ohio for the first time.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$50

How to Apply:
  1. Apply online via elicense portal
  2. Upon completion of your exams and AXP credit hours, NCARB will transmit your record to the Board
  3. Once Board receives the NCARB record, the Board will process your application and issue your electronic license via your chosen elicense email address
  4. Your Wall Certificate, signed by all members of the Board, will be mailed to you after the next regular Board meeting

Reciprocal Registration

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$250

How to Apply:
  1. Apply online via elicense portal
  2. Request the transmittal of your NCARB record, complete with Certificate, to the Board
  3. Once Board receives the NCARB record, the Board will process your application and issue your electronic license via your chosen elicense email address

Registration Renewal

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$125 renewal fee + $3.50 transaction fee

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Ohio Interior Designer License

Not required



Interior Designer licensure is not required on the State level in Ohio.

Ohio Landscape Architect License

Agency:Ohio Board of Landscape Architects
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$50

How to Apply:
  1. Apply online via elicense portal
  2. Upon completion of your exams and AXP credit hours, CLARB will transmit your record to the Board
  3. Once Board receives the CLARB record, the Board will process your application and issue your electronic license via your chosen elicense email address
  4. Your Wall Certificate, signed by all members of the Board, will be mailed to you after the next regular Board meeting

Reciprocal Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$250

How to Apply:
  1. Apply online via elicense portal
  2. Request the transmittal of your CLARB record to the Board 
  3. Once Board receives the CLARB record, the Board will process your application and issue your electronic license via your chosen elicense email address

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$125 renewal fee + $3.50 transaction fee

Due:

By December 31 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 17, 2023. Complete data last reviewed February 14, 2023.
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