Tennessee Architecture License Overview
Understand the Tennessee architect license renewal process. Learn how Harbor Compliance streamlines the licensure process from application to renewal.
Tennessee Architect License Renewal Explained
Obtaining and maintaining an architecture license is crucial for architects practicing in Tennessee, but timely renewal is just as important. A valid license not only confirms your qualifications and experience, but it’s also a legal requirement for architects to continue practicing in the state.
Your Tennessee architect license must be renewed periodically to maintain good standing with the state laws. Failing to do so can result in fines, legal action, and a potential loss of contracts or career opportunities for firms.
This article breaks down the licensure requirements and walks you through the Tennessee architect license renewal process. We’ll also highlight how Harbor Compliance can assist with the entire journey— from preparing applications to tracking renewals.
Tennessee Architecture License Requirements for Firms
While architecture firms don’t need to hold a license, they must comply with firm disclosure requirements set by the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners. This disclosure filing provides the Board with information about the ownership and management of architecture firms and confirms that a licensed architect is overseeing firm activities.
For Professional Corporations (PCs), all shareholders, officers, and half of the directors must be licensed in a professional service offered by the PC. For Professional Limited Liability Companies (PLLCs), all members, managers (excluding the secretary and treasurer), and half of the governors, if any, must be licensed in a professional service offered by the PLLC. This differs from standard corporations, LLCs, and partnerships, which only require the appointment of a Tennessee-licensed architect to oversee firm activities.
To file the firm disclosure, you need to complete the following steps:
- Appoint a Tennessee-licensed architect. The architect must be a full-time employee with decision-making authority.
- Download the Corporation, Partnership, and Firm Disclosure form and fill it out.
- Mail, fax, or email the application to sundra.dunlap@tn.gov.
- Notify the Board within 60 days of any changes to the information listed on their initial disclosure form.
The Board typically takes around 8–12 weeks to send approval. Moreover, the process is free and does not require renewal.
Tennessee Architecture License Requirements for Individuals
While firms in Tennessee are not required to obtain and maintain an architecture license, they must appoint a state-licensed architect to oversee the firm’s architecture practice.
This means that if you’re an aspiring, practicing, or out-of-state architect looking to work in an architecture firm in Tennessee, you must meet the state’s educational, experiential, and ethical standards set by the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners.
For students pursuing a career in architecture, getting the right education is the key requirement for getting an architecture license in Tennessee. This involves meeting one of the following education prerequisites:
- Obtaining a degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
- Completing a non-NAAB-accredited architecture degree of at least four years
- Graduating from a four-year architecture-related program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Upon completing education, you need to meet the state’s experience requirements, which include:
- Three years of architectural experience with a NAAB-accredited degree
- Five years of architectural experience with a non-NAAB-accredited architecture degree
- Seven years of architectural experience with an ABET-accredited architecture-related degree
In addition to experience, you’ll need to complete the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) to gain hands-on experience in key areas of practice and take the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).
Tennessee Architect License Renewal Process
Once you’ve completed the licensure requirements—including education, experience, and exams—and obtained the license, you’ll need to renew it every two years to maintain your active status. The renewal process involves submitting the renewal fee, which is $140, by the end of the month in which your license was initially issued.
The table below outlines the renewal fees and frequencies for various types of licensed professionals:
| License Type | Renewal Fee | Renewal Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Architect | $140 | Biennially |
| Interior Designer | $140 | Biennially |
| Landscape Architect | $140 | Biennially |
Comity Registration for Out-of-State Architects
The comity registration applies to out-of-state architects who are already licensed in another jurisdiction. To qualify for comity registration, follow these steps:
- Meet Tennessee’s education requirements
- Hold a valid, unexpired NCARB certificate
- Pass the ARE exam
- Be registered in at least one other jurisdiction
Once licensed, comity registrants must also adhere to the same renewal process as Tennessee-licensed architects. This includes biennial renewal of their license with a fee of $140.
Complexities of Filing for Tennessee Architect License Renewal
Obtaining and maintaining an architecture license is a complex process, especially for multi-state firms and individual practitioners looking to expand their operations. In such cases, they need to take care of other aspects to set up legal operations in a state, including registering their business entity, maintaining certificates of authorization, or registering for taxes. Handling all of this while running a business can be overwhelming. This is where professional service providers like Harbor Compliance come in.
Let Harbor Compliance Manage Your Architecture Licensing
Harbor Compliance’s Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions are designed to help architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms manage their professional licensing efficiently.
With the help of our AEC compliance experts, you get personalized support with any licensing challenges you face. From secretary of state registrations to registered agent appointments, you can rely on us to take the heavy lifting on your behalf.
Our License Manager, which is sold separately as part of our proprietary Software Suite, stores all your license details and helps you track renewal dates.
You can choose any of the following three service options when ordering Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions:
- Self-managed—You get access to our Software Suite and start managing your licenses using the available modules.
- Fully managed—We handle the entire licensing workload in your name, from initial filings to renewals.
- Hybrid—We manage part of your licensing requirements and provide you access to our Software Suite.
Additional Harbor Compliance Services
| Service Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Tax registration | Stay compliant with state regulations using our payroll tax, EIN, and sales and use tax registration services, which assist with filings across U.S. states. |
| General Business Licensing | We help with the management and renewal of general business licenses to keep your entity in good standing. |
| BOI reporting | Get assistance with initial, updated, and corrected Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reports—up to four filings per year. |
| Document filing and retrieval | Our services make obtaining critical documents like certified copies, certificates of good standing, and drop-off filing a breeze. |
| Registered agent service | Avail of our Registered Agent Service and rest assured your service of process and official notices are delivered timely. If you want to change your current agent, take advantage of our Change of Registered Agent Service. |
| Nonprofit formation | Streamline your nonprofit incorporation with our 501(c) tax exemption and charitable registration services. |
| Entity lifecycle management | With our entity management services, you get filing support for amendment, name reservation, reinstatement, initial reports, and withdrawal and dissolution. You can also rely on our service to complete processes like foreign qualification and manage Doing Business As (DBA) requirements. |
Tennessee Architect License Renewal FAQs
Below, we’ve provided answers to some common questions about the renewal procedure of architecture licenses in Tennessee. If you require more information, check out our Information Center.
Only individual practitioners licensed as architects in Tennessee are required to renew their licenses. Firms do not need to renew but must update the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners within 60 days of any changes to their disclosure form.
The application is due every two years by the end of your license issuance month.
To become a licensed architect in Tennessee, you need to complete the required educational qualification —a NAAB-accredited architecture degree, a non-NAAB-accredited four-year architecture degree, or a four-year ABET-accredited architecture-related degree.
After this, you must gain appropriate experience and complete the Architectural Experience Program (AXP). The final requirement is to pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and apply for licensure through the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners.
You can renew your architecture license within a six-month grace period after it lapses. If you fail to renew within this time frame, you’ll need to reapply.
Harbor Compliance—The Smart Way To Manage Your Architecture License
Tennessee’s licensing requirements are demanding and time-consuming. While architectural firms don’t require architecture licenses, they must have a licensed architect overseeing their services and ensure all employees maintain active permits.
Harbor Compliance’s Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions make the licensing journey less complex by offering personalized support to firms and their employees. Our team of licensing experts helps you navigate the filing, track your licensure status, and timely renew your license.
Get started to see how our services can assist you and book a demo session to explore our Software Suite. You can also evaluate your current standing using our free Harbor Compliance Score™ or contact us to understand how we can better help you.
Need more information about architecture licensing requirements across different U.S. states? Explore the table below:
Company Licenses
Tennessee Architecture Company Licenses
Tennesee Interior Design Firm License
Tennessee Corporation, Partnership and Firm Disclosure (Architecture)
Initial Registration
This section applies to architectural firms that are applying for a license in Tennessee for the first time. If you already have a license and are looking to renew it, please see the renewal section.
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax, or email to sundra.dunlap@tn.gov |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Turnaround: | 8-12 weeks |
| Before you Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
|
| How to Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
|
| Required Attachments: |
|
Renewal Not Required
Not required
Firm disclosures do not need to be renewed, however, firms must notify the board within 60 days if a change occurs to the information listed on the disclosure.
Amendment
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Due: | Notify the board in writing within 60 days of any changes in firm information. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
| Notarization Required?: | Not required |
| Notes: | Submit a new firm disclosure if reporting any other changes such as a firm or company name change, changes in registration status of principals or officers, changes in principals or officers who are designated to be in responsible charge, etc. Firms are made invalid or closed if the person who has been designated in responsible charge of the firm’s practice no longer holds active registration in Tennessee and/or is no longer employed in the office. |
Tennessee Corporation, Partnership, and Firm Disclosure (Landscape Architecture)
| Agency: | Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance - Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, fax, or email to sundra.dunlap@tn.gov |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Turnaround: | 8-12 weeks |
| Required Attachments: |
|
Renewal Not Required
Not required
No renewal form is required, however, firms must notify the board within 60 days if a change occurs to the information listed on the disclosure.
Amendment
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Due: | Notify the board in writing within 60 days of any changes in firm information. |
| Notes: | Submit a new firm disclosure if reporting any other changes such as a firm or company name change, changes in registration status of principals or officers, changes in principals or officers who are designated to be in responsible charge, etc. Firms are made invalid or closed if the person who has been designated in responsible charge of the firm’s practice no longer holds active registration in Tennessee and/or is no longer employed in the office. |
Tennessee Landscape Architectural Firm
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Individual Licenses
Tennessee Individual Architecture Licenses
Tennessee Architect License
| Agency: | Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance - Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners |
| Exam Required? | Yes |
Initial Registration
This section applies to architects that are applying for a license in Tennessee for the first time.
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $30 |
Reciprocal Registration
This section applies to architects licensed in another state that are looking for reciprocal licensure in Tennessee.
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $55 |
Registration Renewal
This section applies to architects that are already licensed in Tennessee and need to renew their license.
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $140 |
| Due: | Biennially by the end of the month of issuance. |
Tennessee Interior Designer Registration
| Agency: | Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance - Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $55 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $140 |
| Due: | Biennially by the end of the month of issuance. |
Tennessee Landscape Architect Registration
| Agency: | Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance - Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $30 |
Reciprocal Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $55 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $140 |
| Due: | Biennially by the end of the month of issuance. |
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.
