50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Washington Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Washington.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Washington 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

Washington Architecture Company Licenses

Washington Design Firm Certificate of Authorization

Agency:Washington State Department of Licensing - State Board of Architects
Law:

RCW § 18.08.420

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

Business Corporations:

  • At least one of the directors must be a Washington licensed architect.

Professional Corporations:

  • All shareholders, directors, and all officers, other than the secretary and the treasurer, must be licensed in a profession performed by the firm.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least one of the managers must be a Washington licensed architect.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • All members and managers must be licensed in a profession performed by the firm.

Partnerships:

  • At least one of the partners must be a Washington licensed architect.
Qualifying Individual Requirements:
  • The firm must appoint a designated architect. The designated architect:
    • Must be licensed to practice architecture in Washington State.
    • Is responsible for the practice of architecture by your business.
    • Has full authority to make all final architectural decisions on behalf of your business with respect to work performed in Washington.
    • Must be regularly employed in the office, having direct knowledge and supervisory control of work performed by your business in Washington.
    • Must be a governing person of the business, meaning:A general partner, if the firm is a partnership or limited liability partnership (LLP).
    • A manager, if the firm is a limited liability company (LLC).
    • A director, if the firm is a business corporation or professional service corporation.

Initial Registration

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

Form:

Business License Application and Registered Professional Design Firm Addendum

Agency Fee:

$19 business license fee + $292 new application fee + $6.50 surcharge fee

Turnaround:

4-5 weeks

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

Firms with branch offices in Washington are required to designate a currently licensed professional engineer and/or land surveyor who will be in “responsible charge” for the services offered at the branch location

Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Ensure that your business entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • Identify a Washington licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's architectural activities in Washington.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Ensure that your Washington entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • Identify a Washington licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm's architectural activities in Washington.
  • 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 Washington Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
  2. File a Business License Application and a Registered Professional Design Firm Addendum with the Department of Revenue - Business Licensing Service or complete the online application process to obtain a license.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with the Washington Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
  2. File a Business License Application and a Registered Professional Design Firm Addendum with the Department of Revenue - Business Licensing Service or complete the online application process to obtain a license.
Required Attachments:
  • A Designated Engineer/Land Surveyor Affidavit (page 3 of this application)
  •  A Corporate/LLC Resolution naming the designated engineer, land surveyor, or both (page 4 of this application)

Registration Renewal

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$145.50 renewal fee + $11 processing fee.

Due:

Annually by date of initial issuance.

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

Renewal notices are emailed to license holders about 6 weeks prior to the expiration date.

Required Attachments:
  • Designated architect addendum for each designated architect

Washington Interior Design Firm License

Not required



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

Washington does not currently license or register interior design businesses.

Washington Landscape Architecture Firm License

Not required



Landscape Architecture Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Washington.

More information: Washington Board of Licensure for Landscape Architects

Individual Licenses

Washington Individual Architecture Licenses

Washington Architect License

Agency:Washington State Department of Licensing - State Board of Architects
Exam Required?Yes

Initial Registration

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

Form:

Architect Registration Initial Application

Instructions:

Architect by Direct Registration with NCARB or Architect by Exam

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$216.50

Reciprocal Registration

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

Form:

Architect Registration Initial Application

Instructions:

Architect by Reciprocity

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$520.50

Registration Renewal

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

Form:

Architect Renewal Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$109 renewal fee + $6.50 Washington State Building Code Council fee

Due:

Biennially by the licensee's date of birth. Licenses can be renewed starting 120 days from the expiration date.

Washington Interior Designer License

Not required



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

Washington Landscape Architect License

Agency:Washington Board of Licensure for Landscape Architects

Initial Registration

Form:

Landscape Architect Licensure Application

Instructions:

Landscape architect with accredited degree or Landscape architect without an accredited degree

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$328 application fee + $590 license fee

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Landscape Architect License Application

Instructions:

Landscape Architect by Reciprocity

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$590 application fee + $590 license fee

Registration Renewal

Form:

Landscape Architect Renewal Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$590

Due:

Biennially by the licensee's date of birth. Licenses can be renewed starting 120 days from the expiration date.

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.