50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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South Carolina Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in South Carolina.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in South Carolina 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

South Carolina Architecture Company Licenses

South Carolina Certificate of Authorization (Architecture)

Agency:South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners
Law:

SC Code § 40-3-270

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

Business Corporations:

  • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint a South Carolina licensed architect to be responsible for all architectural activities undertaken by the firm in South Carolina.
  • If the company is a Business Corporation, Partnership, Professional Corporation, Limited Liability Corporation or Limited Liability Partnership, a Tax ID Number must be furnished or application cannot be processed.

Professional Corporations:

  • All shareholders, at least 1/2 of the directors, and all of the officers (excluding the secretary and treasurer) must be licensed a in professional service performed by the firm.
  • If the company is a Business Corporation, Partnership, Professional Corporation, Limited Liability Corporation or Limited Liability Partnership, a Tax ID Number must be furnished or application cannot be processed.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members and managers need not be licensed, but the LLC must appoint a South Carolina licensed architect to be responsible for all architectural activities undertaken by the firm in South Carolina.
  • If the company is a Business Corporation, Partnership, Professional Corporation, Limited Liability Corporation or Limited Liability Partnership, a Tax ID Number must be furnished or application cannot be processed.

Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint a South Carolina licensed architect to be responsible for all architectural activities undertaken by the firm in South Carolina.
  • If the company is a Business Corporation, Partnership, Professional Corporation, Limited Liability Corporation or Limited Liability Partnership, a Tax ID Number must be furnished or application cannot be processed.
Notes:

If you are an out-of-state corporation, the Certificate of Authorization (COA) application must be
accompanied by the Certificate of Authority issued by the South Carolina Secretary of State

Initial Registration

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

Form:

Application to License Firms, Corporations, or Partnerships

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$100

Turnaround:

Applications take up to 2 weeks to process

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Identify a South Carolina licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's architectural activities in South Carolina.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify a South Carolina licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's architectural activities in South Carolina.
  • 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 30 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business Filings.
  2. File an Application to License Firms, Corporations, or Partnerships with the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with the South Carolina Secretary of State - Division of Business Filings.
  2. File an Application to License Firms, Corporations, or Partnerships and the secretary of state issued foreign qualification certificate with the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners.
Required Attachments:
  • A Certificate of Authority issued by the South Carolina Secretary of State (if a foreign entity)
  • South Carolina entities must provide a certificate of existence or certificate of good standing from the South Carolina Secretary of State
  • List of principals, partners, corporate officers, owners, and directors including title, profession, and resident state license number
  • Complete the Affidavit Section and have it signed by an officer of the firm and the architect in charge of the work performed in South Carolina.

Registration Renewal

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

Form:

Certificate of Authorization Renewal Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$185

Due:

By August 31 of odd-numbered years.

Amendment

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

If there is a change in ownership, management, or the architect in responsible charge during the year, the change must be filed with the board within 30 days.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Notes:

Notify the board in writing with any changes. Address changes can be reported online.

Reinstatement

Form:

COA Reinstatement Application

Agency Fee:

$100

South Carolina Interior Design Firm License

Not required



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

South Carolina does not currently license or register interior design businesses.

South Carolina Landscape Architecture Certificate of Authorization

Agency:South Carolina Board of Landscape Architectural Examiners

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Certificate of Authorization

Agency Fee:

$200

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$400

Due:

By January 31 of odd-numbered years.

Individual Licenses

South Carolina Individual Architecture Licenses

South Carolina Architect License

Agency:South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners
Exam Required?Yes

Initial Registration

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

Instructions:

Exam requirements, instructions and supplemental forms

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$165

Reciprocal Registration

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

Instructions:

Reciprocity requirements, instructions and supplemental forms

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$165

Notes:

All applicants for licensure by reciprocity must hold an NCARB Certificate.

Registration Renewal

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$115

Due:

By June 30 of odd-numbered years.

South Carolina Interior Designer License

Not required



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

South Carolina Landscape Architect License

Agency:South Carolina Board of Landscape Architectural Examiners

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Landscape Architecture License by Exam

Instructions:

Instructions and Forms for Landscape Architecture License

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$50

Notarization Required?:Required

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Application for Landscape Architecture License by Reciprocity

Instructions:

Instructions and Forms for Landscape Architecture License

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$200

Notarization Required?:Required

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$200

Due:

By January 31 of odd-numbered years.

Learn about architecture licensing in other states:

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.