50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Arizona Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Arizona.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Arizona 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

Arizona Architecture Company Licenses

Arizona Annual Branch Registration

Agency:Arizona State Board of Technical Registration
Notes:

A branch office registration must be filed for each branch office that is located in the state of Arizona and that is part of a firm registered with the board.

Initial Registration

Form:

Annual Branch Registration 

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$50

Notes:

Applicants must list one professional in responsible charge for each of the professional services offered by the firm.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Annual Branch Registration (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$50

Due:

Annually by the initial registration anniversary date. Renewals can be filed as early as 30 days prior to the expiration date.

Notes:

Licensees must list one professional in responsible charge for each of the professional services offered by the firm.

Amendment

Form:

Annual Branch Registration (Amendment)

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Notify the board within 30 days of the effective date of the change.

Arizona Annual Firm Registration

Agency:Arizona State Board of Technical Registration
Law:

A.R.S. § 32-141 et seq. 

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • Corporations can either ensure that at least one officer is a licensed professional in each of the regulated services the firm provides, or designate that the licensed individual(s) have full authority of the professional services offered by the firm.

Professional Corporations:

  • At least 1/2 of the shareholders, and at least 1/2 of the directors, and the president of the corporation must be licensed in one or more states to render the professional service(s) conducted by the firm.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • LLCs can either ensure that at least one member is a licensed professional in each of the regulated services the firm provides, or designate that the licensed individual(s) have full authority of the professional services offered by the firm.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • All of the members of the PLLC must either be licensed individuals, a partnership having at least one partner who is licensed in Arizona, or a PC or PLLC.

Partnerships:

  • Partnerships can either ensure that at least one partner is a licensed professional in each of the regulated services the firm provides, or designate that the licensed individual(s) have full authority of the professional services offered by the partnership.

Initial Registration

Form:

Annual Firm Registration 

Instructions:

Mail

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:
  • $50
  • When paying for the initial registration through the online payment portal, use five zero's as the firm's registration number to complete the payment. A final registration number will be assigned after the application has been processed. 
Turnaround:

8-12 weeks

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Notes:
  • Firms must identify a registrant, who is also a principal of the firm, in each category of services offered who has the authority and responsibility for the professional services of that firm
  • Branch offices must have a designated registrant, who does not have to be a principal, in charge of the professional services offered at that branch office
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Identify an Arizona licensed individual to act as the principal registrant for each office the firm has in Arizona.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify an Arizona licensed individual to act as the principal registrant for each office the firm has in Arizona.
  • Ensure that your Arizona entity meets ownership requirements.
  • 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.
  • Obtain certified copies of your entity's formation documents (including amendments) to file during the foreign qualification process. These documents must be dated within 60 days of the date of application for foreign qualification.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. If a corporation or LLC, create an ecorp account and use the portal to create your business entity.
  2. If a partnership, file a certificate of partnership application with the Arizona Secretary of State.
  3. File a Firm Registration Application with the State Board of Technical Registration.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Determine whether or not your business is required to foreign qualify. If not required, skip to number 5.
  2. If a foreign PC, obtain an approval statement from the Board of Technical Registration showing that the entity meets ownership requirements in Arizona before foreign qualifying with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
  3. If a corporation or LLC, create an ecorp account and use the portal to foreign qualify your business entity.
  4. If a partnership, file a foreign partnership registration application with the Arizona Secretary of State.
  5. File a Firm Registration Application with the State Board of Technical Registration.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Annual Firm Registration (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

$50

Due:

Annually by the initial registration anniversary date. Renewals can be filed as early as 30 days prior to the expiration date.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Required Attachments:
  • List of licensees in responsible charge of the firm's professional services

Amendment

Form:

Annual Firm Registration (Amendment)

Filing Method:

Mail or email to addchange@azbtr.gov

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Within 30 days of the effective date of the change.

Notes:

An amendment should be filed for changes to:

  • Principals
  • Designated registrants
  • Services offered
  • Firm or branch name or address

Reinstatement

Not required



A firm whose registration has been expired for less than one year can reinstate their status through the standard renewal process. If their registration has been expired for over one year, they must go through the initial registration process again. 

Arizona Interior Design Firm License

Not required



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

Arizona does not currently license or register interior design businesses.

Individual Licenses

Arizona Individual Architecture Licenses

Arizona Architect License

Agency:Arizona State Board of Technical Registration
Exam Required?Yes

Initial Registration

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

Form:

Architect Registration Application Packet

Agency Fee:

$100 application fee + $225 registration fee

Reciprocal Registration

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

Notes:

Arizona currently does not grant registration by endorsement (reciprocity/comity). Applicants must demonstrate they meet registration requirements pursuant to the Arizona Practice Act by submitting an Architect Registration Application and supporting documents, with the applicable fee. If the applicant is applying with a national council record, they should request to have it transmitted to the Arizona Board as the supporting document.

Registration Renewal

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

Form:

Professional Renewal Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$225

Due:

Triennially during the quarter when the registration was first filed.

  • If you initially registered between January 1 and March 31, renewal is due triennially by March 31.
  • If you initially registered between April 1 and June 30, renewal is due triennially by June 30.
  • If you initially registered between July 1 and September 30, renewal is due triennially by September 30.
  • If you initially registered between October 1 and December 31, renewal is due triennially by December 31.
Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required

Arizona Interior Designer License

Not required



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

Arizona Professional Landscape Architect Registration

Agency:Arizona State Board of Technical Registration

Exam Application

Form:

Landscape Architect Professional Exam Packet

Agency Fee:

$100

Notes:

There are separate fees for the exams.

Initial Registration

Form:

Landscape Architect Registration Packet

Agency Fee:

$100 application fee + $225 registration fee

Reciprocal Registration

Notes:

Arizona currently does not grant registration by endorsement (reciprocity/comity). Applicants must demonstrate they meet registration requirements pursuant to the Arizona Practice Act by submitting a Landscape Architect Registration Application and supporting documents, with the applicable fee. If the applicant is applying with a national council record, they should request to have it transmitted to the Arizona Board as the supporting document.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Professional Renewal Form

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$225

Due:

Triennially during the quarter when the registration was first filed.

  • If you initially registered between January 1 and March 31, renewal is due triennially by March 31.
  • If you initially registered between April 1 and June 30, renewal is due triennially by June 30.
  • If you initially registered between July 1 and September 30, renewal is due triennially by September 30.
  • If you initially registered between October 1 and December 31, renewal is due triennially by December 31.

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 15, 2023. Complete data last reviewed February 14, 2023.
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