50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Arkansas Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Arkansas.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Arkansas 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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Arkansas Architecture Company Licenses

Arkansas Certificate of Authorization (Architecture)

Agency:Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects & Interior Designers
Law:

Ark Code Ann. § 17-15-301

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

Business Corporations:

  • At least 2/3 of the directors must be registered under the laws of any state to practice architecture, and the person having the practice of architecture in his or her charge must be a director who is registered to practice architecture in Arkansas.

Professional Corporations:

  • All of the officers, directors, and shareholders must be licensed individuals at least one director must be an architect licensed in Arkansas.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least 2/3 of the members must be registered under the laws of any state to practice architecture, and the person having the practice of architecture in his or her charge must be a member who is registered to practice architecture in Arkansas.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • All of the members must be licensed individuals and at least one member must be an architect licensed in Arkansas.

Partnerships:

  • At least 2/3 of the partners must be registered under the laws of any state to practice architecture, and the person having the practice of architecture in his or her charge must be a partner who is registered to practice architecture in Arkansas.
Qualifying Individual Requirements:

A director or partner of the firm, who is a licensed architect in Arkansas, must be designated as the architect in charge for the firm's architectural services in Arkansas.

Initial Registration

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$250

Turnaround:

2 weeks

Notarization Required?:Required
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Identify an Arkansas licensed individual to act as the architect in charge.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify an Arkansas licensed individual to act as the architect in charge.
  • Ensure that your Arkansas entity meets ownership requirements.
  • Obtain a certified copy of your entity's formation documents from its home state.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Arkansas Secretary of State to form your business entity.
  2. Obtain a certified copy of the entity's formation documents to be submitted with the firm license application.
  3. File a Certificate of Authorization Application with the Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers (ASBALAID).

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Determine whether or not your entity will need to foreign qualify in Arkansas. If not required, skip to number 3.
  2. File a foreign qualification application with the Arkansas Secretary of State.
  3. Obtain a certified copy of the entity's formation documents to be submitted with the firm license application.
  4. File a Certificate of Authorization Application with the Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers (ASBALAID).
Required Attachments:
  • In the case of a corporation, a copy of the corporation’s articles of incorporation or similar charter document certified by the secretary of state of the jurisdiction in which the corporation is organized
  • List of directors or partners including address, discipline (engineer, architect, etc), registration state, and registration number

Registration Renewal

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

Form:

Certificate of Authorization Annual Renewal Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online

Agency Fee:

$250

Due:

Annually by January 31. Renewals may be filed as early as January 1.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Required
Required Attachments:
  • Disclosure of disciplinary actions taken against individuals in leadership roles or acting as qualifying individuals (if applicable)

Amendment

Form:

Change of Address/Contact Form

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

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

Reinstatement

Form:

Certificate of Authorization Reinstatement Application

Agency Fee:

Renewal fees plus $50 per month for the first 3 months after expiration. Penalty fees are capped at $250 per year for a maximum expiration period of 3 years.

Notes:

After three years, expired certificates are revoked and the license holder must reapply for a certificate.

Arkansas Interior Design Firm License

Not required



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

Arkansas does not license or register interior design businesses, but registered designers list their business affiliation on their individual registration.

Arkansas Landscape Architecture Firm License

Not required



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

More information: Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects & Interior Designers

Individual Licenses

Arkansas Individual Architecture Licenses

Arkansas Architect License

Agency:Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects & Interior Designers
Exam Required?Yes

Initial Registration

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$250

Reciprocal Registration

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

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$250

Notes:

Applicants must have their NCARB council record transmitted to the Board office.

Registration Renewal

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

Form:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by July 31.

Arkansas Interior Designer Registration

Agency:Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects & Interior Designers

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$250

Notarization Required?:Not required

Reciprocal Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$250

Notes:

An applicant who holds a current and valid certification issued by CIDQ and submits satisfactory evidence of such certification to the board can be registered, provided the applicant meets the following requirements:

  1. The applicant holds a valid registration as a registered interior designer issued by a registration authority in the United States and submits satisfactory evidence of such registration to the board;
  2. An applicant files his or her application in a form prescribed by the board and pays the applicable board-established fees;
  3. Before registration, the board may, at its discretion, require individual applicants to appear before the board when a CIDQ record or application does not clearly indicate that the applicant is qualified for registration in Arkansas.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by January 31.

Arkansas Landscape Architect License

Agency:Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects & Interior Designers

Initial Registration

Form:

   

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$250

Reciprocal Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$250

Notes:

An applicant who holds a current and valid record issued by CLARB and submits satisfactory evidence of such record to the board can be registered, provided the applicant meets the following requirements.

  • An applicant must be of good moral character, as verified by employers and other references.
  • An applicant must hold a professional degree in landscape architecture from a degree program that has been accredited by LAAB.
  • An applicant must have passed the LARE in accordance with current CLARB standards.
  • An applicant must complete an affidavit supplied by the board attesting that he or she has read and understood the Arkansas Landscape Architectural Practice Act and Rules and Regulations.
  • The applicant holds a valid registration as a landscape architect issued by a registration authority of the United States and submits satisfactory evidence of such registration to the board.
  • An applicant files his or her application in a form prescribed by the board and pays the applicable board-established fees.
  • Before registration, the board may, at its discretion, require individual applicants to appear before the board when a CLARB record does not clearly indicate that the applicant is qualified for registration in Arkansas.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$100 + online processing fee

Due:

Annually by January 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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