50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Oregon Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Oregon.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Oregon 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

Oregon Architecture Company Licenses

Oregon Architectural Firm Registration

Agency:Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners
Law:

OAR § 806-010-0080

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

Business Corporations:

  • At least 2/3 of the directors must be licensed architects or engineers.
  • At least 1/3 of the directors must be licensed architects
  • At least 1 director must be an Oregon licensed architect.
  • If a corporation was in continuous existence since September 29, 1991, and at least 51 percent of the corporation is owned by an Oregon registered architect or engineer, the corporation is exempt from typical ownership requirements, but must still meet all other architectural firm name requirements.

Professional Corporations:

  • At least 2/3 of the directors must be licensed architects or engineers.
    At least 1/3 of the directors must be licensed architects
    At least 1 director must be an Oregon licensed architect.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least 2/3 of the members must be licensed architects or engineers and represent at least 2/3 of the ownership interest in the company.
  • At least 1/3 of the members must be licensed architects.
  • At least 1 member must be an Oregon licensed architect.

Partnerships:

  • At least 2/3 of the partners must be licensed architects or engineers and represent at least 2/3 of the ownership interest in the partnership.
  • At least 1/3 of the partners must be licensed architects.
  • At least 1 partner must be an Oregon licensed architect.

Initial Registration

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

Form:

Architectural Firm Application

Filing Method:

Mail or email to architectboard@osbae.oregon.gov

Agency Fee:

$100 application fee + $200 registration fee

Turnaround:

2-3 weeks

Notarization Required?:Required
Notes:

Name Requirements

  • The firm may use the plural form of architect in its name only if the firm has more than one individual architect actively registered in any Board recognized jurisdiction
  • The name may only include the surname of any person presently or previously associated in the practice of architecture or engineering in any jurisdiction recognized by the Board with the named entity or its members or predecessors
  • When wording is used to suggest the existence of additional principals, directors, partners or associates, such as "Associated," "Group," "& Associates," or "Partners," the reference must be to existing persons currently or previously within the firm
  • The firm name may contain numbers as long as it is not misleading to the public, i.e., “Three Oregon Architects” must have three architects registered in Oregon
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

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

Foreign Applicants:

  • Ensure that your Oregon entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • Identify an Oregon licensed architect to act as the firm representative in charge of the firm's professional activities in Oregon.
  • 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 60 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Oregon Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
  2. Obtain a certificate of existence from the Secretary of State to file with your license application.
  3. File a Architectural Firm Application with the Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with the Oregon Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
  2. Obtain a certificate of existence from the Secretary of State to file with your license application.
  3. File a Architectural Firm Application with the Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners.
Required Attachments:
  • A copy of your firm’s Certificate of Existence issued by the Oregon Secretary of State
  • List of directors, members, or partners including addresses, license numbers, and jurisdiction in which they are licensed

Registration Renewal

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$200

Due:

Annually by January 31. Firms that initially apply for a license after October 1 of a given year are not required to also renew by January 31 of the upcoming year.

Notes:

Registered firms will receive a renewal notice, through e-mail, in December.

Required Attachments:
  • List of directors, members, or partners of the firm including addresses and license numbers
  • Disclosure of disciplinary actions taken against individuals with an interest in the firm (if applicable)

Amendment

Form:

Contact Information Change Form

Due:

Within 60 days of the effective date of the change.

Notes:

A change of firm name requires that you reapply.

Oregon Interior Design Firm License

Not required



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

Oregon does not currently license or register interior design businesses.

Oregon Landscape Architecture Business Registration

Agency:Oregon State Landscape Architect Board

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Business Registration

Filing Method:

Submit complete forms through the board's online dropbox

Agency Fee:

$100.00 application fee + $225.00 registration fee + $50.00 initial statement of responsibility filing

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$225

Due:

Annually by the last day of the month that the registration was initially issued in.

Individual Licenses

Oregon Individual Architecture Licenses

Oregon Architect License

Agency:Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners
Exam Required?Yes

Initial Registration

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

Form:

Registration by Examination Application

Instructions:

Registration by Examination

  • Request transmittal of your NCARB Completed Record to the Board which includes official documentary evidence of the following:
    • A professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB), or a professional degree in architecture certified by the CACB from a Canadian University
    • Completion of the Architectural Experience Program (AXP)
    • Passing the Architect Registration Exam (ARE)
  • Submit a complete Registration by Examination Application
  • Pay the Application and Certificate of Registration fees via check or Online Payments
  • Pass the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam (JE) – information regarding this exam will be provided upon completion of the application and payment of the application fee 

 

Architect Emeritus

  • The title of "Architect Emeritus" may be granted, at the discretion of the Board, upon submission of an application from an Oregon registered architect who is currently in good standing with the Board.
  • To be eligible for consideration, the architect must:
    • Be 60 years of age or older;
    • Have practiced architecture in a recognized jurisdiction for a minimum of 20 years; and
    • Have been an Oregon resident during the architect's active architectural practice and held an
  • Oregon certificate of registration as an individual architect for a minimum of 10 consecutive years.
  •  There are no fees for Architect Emeritus status.
  •  Architect Emeritus is an inactive status. The individual is not eligible to practice architecture in Oregon and may not use the architect title.
  • In order to be eligible to practice architecture in Oregon, the Architect Emeritus must comply with the reinstatement requirements found in OAR 806-010-0060.
  • The Board will issue a certificate to those receiving Architect Emeritus status according to OAR 806- 0
Filing Method:

Email architectboard@osbae.oregon.gov

Agency Fee:

$75-$150 application fee + $75 exam fee

Notes:

An architect that provides architectural services under any name other than their individual name registered with the Board followed by the title "Architect" must also register as a firm with OSBAE and the Oregon Secretary of State. 

Reciprocal Registration

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

Form:

Registration by Reciprocity Application

Instructions:
  • Possess an active architectural certificate of registration or license from another Board recognized jurisdiction
  • Transmit an active Certificate issued by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) OR Submit official (i.e., provided to the Board by the granting authority) documentary evidence of all the following:
    • A professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB), or a professional degree in architecture certified by the CACB from a Canadian University
    • Passing the ARE or the examination equivalents to the ARE as listed in the June 2020 NCARB. Certification Guidelines, available at www.ncarb.org
    • Completion of the NCARB AXP program, or two years of practice in architecture in a Board recognized jurisdiction after initial registration or licensure
  • Submit a complete Registration by Reciprocity Application
  • Pay the Application and Certificate of Registration fees via check or Online Payments
  • Pass the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam (JE) – information regarding this exam will be provided upon completion of the application and payment of the application fee
Filing Method:
  • Payment : mail or online
  • Send the notarized application and attachments to architectboard@osbae.oregon.gov or to the street address listed above. Keep a copy of the application for your records. Applications are valid for 12 months from the date received by the Board.
Agency Fee:

$100 reciprical fee + $200 registration fee

Notes:
  • If you answer Yes to question 3, 4, 5, or 6 regarding discipline or previous criminal charges, you must provide additional information.
    o Architectural firms must also be registered with the Board. The Architectural Firm Application can be found at www.osbae.com under Applications and Forms.
    o Statutes and Administrative Rules governing the practice of architecture in Oregon can be viewed at www.osbae.com under Statutes.
    o Once we receive your application and fee, you will be emailed a link that will give you access to the Board’s online Jurisprudence Exam (JE). To prepare for the exam, review Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules on the Board’s website. Once you begin, you will have 90 minutes to complete the JE. The minimum passing score is 84%. There is a 7-day waiting period to retake the JE, if failed.
    o The email address you enter on this application will be used for all communication from OSBAE.
    o Once registered, you will practice as an individual under your legal name as it appears on your registration certificate. Please enter the correct name on the application.
Required Attachments:
  • NCARB record must be transmitted to this office.
  • If No, submit official documentary evidence of the following (Note: OSBAE will only accept official documents sent directly from the licensing agency):
    (A) A professional degree in architecture meeting the education standard under OAR
    806-010-0010(1) [Note: if you do not meet this requirement you must hold an active
    NCARB certificate and have your certified record transmitted to this office];
    (B) Successful completion of the ARE or the examination equivalent to the ARE as listed in the current NCARB Certification Guidelines; and
    (C) Completion of the NCARB AXP program, or two years of practice in architecture in a Board recognized jurisdiction after initial registration or licensure.

Registration Renewal

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$200

Due:

Biennially by December 31. Registrations ending with an even number renew every even-numbered year and registrations ending with an odd number renew every odd-numbered year.

Oregon Interior Designer License

Not required



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

Oregon Landscape Architect Registration

Agency:Oregon State Landscape Architect Board

Initial Registration

Form:

Application - Landscape Architect Registration

Agency Fee:

$100 application fee + $325 registration fee

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$325

Due:

Annually by the end of the month of initial registration.

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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