Pennsylvania Architecture Industry Licensing

Online

$50

Criminal Records Information 

Until further notice, Pennsylvania Criminal History Checks are not being automatically submitted to the Pennsylvania State Police as part of the application process. For applicants living, working, or completing training/studies in Pennsylvania, you must obtain a Pennsylvania background check directly through the Pennsylvania State Police at https://epatch.pa.gov. On the application, select “Pennsylvania (Already have one)” in the list of states where you have been located, and upload a copy of the completed background check. 

Provide a recent Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) from the state police or other state agency that is the official repository for criminal history record information for every state in which you have lived, worked, or completed professional training/studies for the past five (5) years. The report(s) must be dated within 180 days of the date the application is submitted.

For applicants living, working, or completing training/studies in Pennsylvania, request your CHRC from the Pennsylvania State Police at https://epatch.state.pa.us.  For individuals living, working, or completing training/studies outside of Pennsylvania during the past five (5) years, in lieu of obtaining individual state background checks, you may elect to provide BOTH a state CHRC from the state in which you currently reside, AND your FBI Identity History Summary Check, available at https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks.

Please note: For applicants currently living, working, or completing training/studies in California, Arizona, or Ohio: Due to the laws of these states, the Board is not an eligible recipient of CHRC's or your CHRC will not be issued to you for upload to the Board. Please obtain your Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Identity History Summary Check, available at the link noted above.

Naming Approvals

When the applicant receives the approval letter from the Board for the firm name or fictitious name, submit a copy to the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau with your Corporation Bureau filing application. The Board cannot issue a registration until after the applicant has submitted approved documents from the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau. The Corporation Bureau will issue documents to the applicant indicating the firm has been registered with that Bureau. Submit a copy of the Corporation Bureau approval documents to the Board so the firm can be registered with the Board. Questions about entity filings should be directed to the Corporation Bureau, Department of State, Harrisburg, PA 17120, (717) 787-1057.

Ficticious Name/ DBA

When the applicant receives the approval letter for the firm name or fictitious name, submit a copy to the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau with your Corporation Bureau filing application. The Board cannot issue a registration until after the applicant has submitted approved documents from the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau. The Corporation Bureau will issue documents to the applicant indicating the firm has been registered with that Bureau. Submit a copy of the Corporation Bureau approval documents to the Board so the firm can be registered with the Board. Questions about entity filings should be directed to the Corporation Bureau, Department of State, Harrisburg, PA 17120, (717) 787-1057.

Domestic Applicants:

• A copy of the proposed company letterhead displaying the full firm name, including the corporate designator, fictitious name (if applicable), names of the principals, followed by credentials indicating their respective professions, which must be permanently imprinted, as well as the word “architect” or some derivation thereof as part of the name of the business, or as a subtitle thereto.
• When the applicant receives the approval letter for the firm name or fictitious name, submit a copy to the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau with your Corporation Bureau filing application. The Board cannot issue a registration until after the applicant has submitted approved documents from the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau. The Corporation Bureau will issue documents to the applicant indicating the firm has been registered with that Bureau. Submit a copy of the Corporation Bureau approval documents to the Board so the firm can be registered with the Board.
• When the applicant receives the approval letter from the Board for the firm name or fictitious name, submit a copy to the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau with your Corporation Bureau filing application. The Board cannot issue a registration until after the applicant has submitted approved documents from the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau. The Corporation Bureau will issue documents to the applicant indicating the firm has been registered with that Bureau. Submit a copy of the Corporation Bureau approval documents to the Board so the firm can be registered with the Board.
• A recent Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) from the state police or other state agency that is the official repository for criminal history record information for every state in which you have lived, worked, or completed professional training/studies for the past five (5) years. The report(s) must be dated within 90 days of the date the application is submitted.
• A PALS account must be created or accessed in order to begin filing. 

Foreign Applicants:

• A copy of the proposed company letterhead displaying the full firm name, including the corporate designator, fictitious name (if applicable), and names of the principals, followed by credentials indicating their respective professions, which must be permanently imprinted, as well as the word “architect” or some derivation thereof as part of the name of the business, or as a subtitle thereto.
• When the applicant receives the approval letter for the firm name or fictitious name, submit a copy to the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau with your Corporation Bureau filing application. The Board cannot issue a registration until after the applicant has submitted approved documents from the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau. The Corporation Bureau will issue documents to the applicant indicating the firm has been registered with that Bureau. Submit a copy of the Corporation Bureau approval documents to the Board so the firm can be registered with the Board.
• When the applicant receives the approval letter from the Board for the firm name or fictitious name, submit a copy to the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau with your Corporation Bureau filing application. The Board cannot issue registration until after the applicant has submitted approved documents from the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau. The Corporation Bureau will issue documents to the applicant indicating the firm has been registered with that Bureau. Submit a copy of the Corporation Bureau approval documents to the Board so the firm can be registered with the Board.
• A recent Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) from the state police or other state agency that is the official repository for criminal history record information for every state in which you have lived, worked, or completed professional training/studies for the past five (5) years. The report(s) must be dated within 90 days of the date the application is submitted.
• A letter of good standing from the relevant state's board of architects showing that the out-of-state licensed professionals listed on the application have active licenses in their home state
• A PALS account must be created or accessed in order to begin filing. 

Domestic Applicants:

1. Submit an architecture firm license application online through the PALS system. A criminal history check and the proposed company letterhead must be submitted with the application.
2. Register your business entity and fictitious name(s) with the Pennsylvania Department of State. For businesses with some form of 'Architect' in their name, the board of architects will provide a letter of name approval which must be submitted with the Department of State filings.
3. Submit a copy of the approved entity formation documents (including fictitious name approval documents) to the Architects Licensure Board.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Submit an architecture firm license application online through the PALS system. A criminal history check and the proposed company letterhead must be submitted with the application. Out-of-state firms must also submit letter(s) of good standing for each individual owners' architect license to show that they are in good standing.
2. Register your business entity and fictitious name(s) with the Pennsylvania Department of State. For businesses with some form of 'Architect' in their name, the board of architects will provide a letter of name approval which must be submitted with the Department of State filings.
3. Submit a copy of the approved foreign entity registration documents (including fictitious name approval documents) to the Architects Licensure Board.

• Corporations:
  • For Pennsylvania corporations--a photocopy of the approved articles of incorporation. 
  • For out of state corporations--a photocopy of the foreign registration statement to do business as a foreign corporation.
  •  If the corporation is doing business under a fictitious name, also include a photocopy of the approved fictitious name registration. The corporation’s name must specifically appear on the fictitious name registration.
• Limited Liability Companies & Partnerships:
  • For Pennsylvania companies and partnerships--a photocopy of the approved certificate of registration. . 
  •  For out of state companies and partnerships --a photocopy of the certificate of authority to do business as a foreign limited liability company or partnership.
  • If the Limited Liability Company or Partnership is doing business under a fictitious name, also include a photocopy of the approved fictitious name registration. The Limited Liability Company or Partnership’s name must specifically appear on the fictitious name registration.
• When the applicant receives the approval letter for the firm name or fictitious name, submit a copy to the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau with your Corporation Bureau filing application.
  • The Board cannot issue registration until after the applicant has submitted approved documents from the Pennsylvania Corporation Bureau. The Corporation Bureau will issue documents to the applicant indicating the firm has been registered with that Bureau. Submit a copy of the Corporation Bureau approval documents to the Board so the firm can be registered with the Board. Questions about entity filings should be directed to the Corporation Bureau, Department of State, Harrisburg, PA 17120, (717) 787-1057
• Provide a copy of the proposed letterhead, displaying the full firm name, including the corporate designator, fictitious name (if applicable), names of the principals, followed by credentials indicating their respective professions, which must be permanently imprinted, as well as the word “architect” or some derivation thereof as part of the name of the business, or as a subtitle thereto. "Principal" means an officer, principal stockholder or person having a substantial interest in or management responsibility for an architectural practice. Please note the letterhead must be used for any correspondence for projects in Pennsylvania.
• Verification of out-of-state (other than Pennsylvania) licensed professionals who hold a current license and in good standing. Certification of Licensure/Registration must be provided by the state or jurisdiction in which the individual holds a license and must be sent directly to the Board Office.  

Online

$100

By June 30 of odd-numbered years. Renewals may typically be filed 30-60 days prior to the expiration date.

Renewal notices are sent via email approximately 2 months prior to the expiration date.

• List of directors, officers, managers, or members of the firm
• For PCs, a list of holders of voting stock or voting interest

Amendment Application for Firm Registration

$50

Within 30 days of the effective date of the change.

$130

A reactivation form must be requested via email or by calling the board.