50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Nebraska Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Nebraska.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Nebraska 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

Nebraska Architecture Company Licenses

Nebraska Certificate of Authorization (Architecture/Engineering)

Agency:Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects
Law:

NE R.S. § 81-3436

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

Business Corporations:

  • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint a Nebraska licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm in Nebraska.
  • The architect and/or professional engineer must regularly perform professional services for the organization.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members and managers need not be licensed, but the LLC must appoint a Nebraska licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm in Nebraska.
  • The architect and/or professional engineer must regularly perform professional services for the organization.

Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint a Nebraska licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm in Nebraska.
  • The architect and/or professional engineer must regularly perform professional services for the organization.

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Certificate of Authorization

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Tiered fee structure by number of licensees:

  • 1-5: $100
  • 6-10: $200
  • 11-49: $300
  • 50+: $400
Turnaround:

Conditionally within one week of receipt, and firmly after the board meeting following the submission of the application. Board meetings take place every month.

Notes:

Please note the fee is based upon the total number of licensed architects and professional engineers regularly performing services for the organization, not simply the number of Nebraska licensees employed.

Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Identify a Nebraska licensed engineer and/or architect to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in Nebraska.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify a Nebraska licensed engineer and/or architect to act as the individual in responsible charge of the firm's professional activities in Nebraska.
  • 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 an Application for Certificate of Authorization with the Board of Engineers and Architects.
  2. File entity formation documents with the Nebraska Secretary of State.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File an Application for Certificate of Authorization with the Board of Engineers and Architects.
  2. File entity formation documents with the Nebraska Secretary of State.
Required Attachments:
  • List of officers including address, phone number, and Nebraska license number
  • List of members of the entity's governing body including address, phone number, and area of practice (if any)

Registration Renewal

Form:

Renewal forms are mailed a month prior to expiration.

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Tiered fee structure by number of licensees:

  • 1-5: $50
  • 6-10: $150
  • 11-49: $250
  • 50+: $350
Due:

Biennially by the date of issuance.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarization Required?:Not required
Notes:
  • A renewal notice is sent to the organization at least one month prior to the expiration date.
  • Please note the fee is based upon the total number of licensed architects and professional engineers regularly performing services for the organization, not simply the number of Nebraska licensees employed.
  • Renewals for Certificates of Authorization must be mailed with a check or money order
Required Attachments:
  • List of officers and members of the firm including addresses and license numbers
  • List of licensees in responsible charge of the firm's professional services

Amendment

Form:

Change to Certification of Authorization

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

Within 30 days of the effective date of the change.

Reinstatement

Notes:

Licenses expired for less than 1 year can renew with no late fees, but licenses expired for more than 1 year cannot be reinstated and the licensee must apply for a new license.

Supplemental Reporting
Application for Electronic Access of Records (Foreign Corporations)

Agency:Nebraska Secretary of State
Form:

Application for Electronic Access of Records

Filing Method:

Mail

Due:

Due annually

Nebraska Interior Design Firm License

Not required



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

Nebraska does not currently license or register interior design businesses.

Nebraska Landscape Architecture Firm License

Not required



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

More information: Nebraska State Board of Landscape Architects

Individual Licenses

Nebraska Individual Architecture Licenses

Nebraska Architect License

Agency:Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects
Exam Required?Yes

Initial Registration

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

Form:

Application for Initial Licensure of an Architect 

Instructions:

The requirements for initial licensure as an architect in Nebraska are: 

  • A degree from either a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) accredited program, OR meet the NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) Education Standard:
    Completion of the Architectural Experience Program (AXP), formerly known as the Intern Development Program (IDP), OR its equivalent as determined and verified by NCARB;
  • Passage of all sections of the NCARB Architect Registration Examination (ARE): and
  • Passage of an exam on the Nebraska statutes and rules. (This will be sent to the applicant upon completion of the ARE).
  • ​If you have passed the ARE in another jurisdiction but are looking to obtain your initial license in Nebraska, you will need to complete an Architect Initial License Application after meeting the above requirements.

 

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

$100

Reciprocal Registration

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

Instructions:

To be eligible for licensure by comity in Nebraska, you must have:

  • Graduated from a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) accredited programs OR met the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB) Education Standard; ​To determine if your program is NAAB or CACB-accredited, search NAAB’s and CACB's database of accredited programs.
  • If your program is not NAAB or CACB-accredited, you must have your education evaluated by EESA-NCARB to determine if it meets the NCARB Education Standards. The report must be submitted directly to the Nebraska Board, and any deficiencies identified must be corrected or removed by the Board. For more information, refer to Rule 3.2.1.2 of the Board's Rules and Regulations (Title 110, NAC). 
  • Passed the ARE exam;
  • Completed the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) or its equivalent as determined by NCARB.
  • Be licensed in good standing in at least one other jurisdiction recognized by the Board.
Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Registration Renewal

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

Agency Fee:

$80

Due:

Biennially by December 31. Licensees whose last name begins with the letter A-K renew during odd-numbered years and licensees whose last name begins with the letter L-Z renew during even-numbered years.

Nebraska Interior Designer License

Not required



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

Nebraska Landscape Architect License

Agency:Nebraska State Board of Landscape Architects

Initial Registration

Form:

General Information and Affidavit Sheet

Agency Fee:

$300 application fee + $170 license fee after board approval.

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$170

Due:

Annually by December 31.

Notes:

Renewal notices are sent in the mail and should be returned along with the renewal fee.

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 16, 2023. Complete data last reviewed February 15, 2023.
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