On this page, you’ll find an exhaustive guide on the Alaska Architect License Requirements and the Architect Registration process in Alaska. It provides all the crucial information you need including state regulations, application fees, and filing instructions among other relevant details. If you need any assistance related to the licensing process, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to offer further details about our software and managed license services to support your needs.

How do I become an architect in Alaska?

In order to be eligible for the architect license exam in Alaska, it is necessary to obtain a certificate from the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB). To acquire this certificate, you must fulfill two main requirements: graduating from an accredited architectural program and successfully completing the prescribed experience program.

How Do I Take The Architect Registration Examination In Alaska?

Company Licenses

Alaska Certificate of Authorization for Corporate, LLC, or LLP Practice

• Business Corporations
• Professional Corporations
• Limited Liability Companies
• Partnerships
• Limited Liability Partnerships

First-Time Applicants

The following information pertains to architectural firms seeking an initial license in Alaska. If you currently possess a license and wish to renew it, please refer to the renewal section.

• Fill out the form Certificate of Authorization for Corporate LLC, or LLP Practice. Consider that the filing method is via mail or fax.
• Agency Fee: $200 application fee + $300 registration fee
• Notarize is required
• Turnaround: An email confirmation will be sent within 5 business days; final approval by the board is sent within 60 days.

Before Applying, Take In Consideration:

For both domestic and foreign applicants, the following items are required:

1. A certified notarized copy of an amendment demonstrating compliance with AS 08.48.241(b)(1).
2. A certified notarized copy of a resolution by the board of directors for corporations, managing members or manager for LLCs, or general partners for LLPs, designating the Alaska-registered individual(s) in responsible charge for each field or branch of service offered.
3. A certified sealed statement (included in the application packet) from the designated Alaska-registered individual(s) in responsible charge.
4. Documentation of the corporation, LLC, or LLP’s experience, such as a company brochure or statement of experience. If the company is newly established, provide a resume for each person in responsible charge.

Domestic Applicants:

1. Ensure your business is officially registered with the Corporations, Business, & Professional Licensing – Corporations Section.
2. Submit an application for a Certificate of Authorization to the Board of Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Foreign qualify your business (unless exempt) with the Corporations, Business, & Professional Licensing – Corporations Section.
2. File an application for a Certificate of Authorization with the Board of Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors.

Must-have Attachments:

1. Provide the entity number or Certificate of registration from the State of Alaska’s Division of Corporations. If your company is located outside of Alaska, include a letter from an officer explaining how the company qualifies for a corporate exemption.
2. Submit a certified notarized copy of an amendment demonstrating compliance with AS 08.48.241(b)(1).
3. Include a certified notarized copy of a resolution by the board of directors for corporations, managing members or manager for LLCs, or general partners for LLPs. This resolution should designate the Alaska-registered individual(s) responsible for each field or branch of service offered.
4. Enclose a certified sealed statement from the designated Alaska-registered individual(s) in responsible charge.
5. Provide documentation of the corporation, LLC, or LLP’s experience. This can include a company brochure or statement of experience. If the company is newly established, please provide a resume for each person in responsible charge.

Registration Renewal

The following information pertains to architectural firms that are currently licensed in Alaska and are seeking to renew their license. Take into consideration:

• Fill out the form Biennial Certificate of Authorization Renewal for Corporate LLC or LLP Practice. Consider that the filing method is via mail.
• Due date: Before December 31 of odd-numbered years.
• Penalties: $50 late fee
• Agency Fee: Firms that obtained a license during the second half of the renewal period and are renewing for the first time are eligible for a prorated fee of $150. For all other firms renewing their license, the fee is set at $300.
• Turnaround: 4 to 6 weeks

Must-have Attachments

• A comprehensive list of licensees who are in responsible charge of the firm’s professional services.
• Disclosure of any disciplinary actions taken against individuals in leadership roles or those serving as qualifying individuals, if applicable.

Amendment

• Fill out the form Application for Amendment for Certificate of Authorization for Corporate, LLC, or LLP Practice
• Agency Fee: $75
• Deadline: The requested action must be completed within a period of 30 days starting from the effective date of the change.
• Important: The amendment form is utilized to report changes in the following areas:
  • Corporate name: Any modifications or updates to the name of the corporation.
  • Person(s) designated in responsible charge: Changes made to the individuals who are designated as responsible for overseeing the firm’s activities.
  • Added endorsements for field(s) of practice: Inclusion of additional endorsements for specific fields or areas of practice.
  • Altered ownership: Updates regarding changes in ownership, including the membership of a limited liability company or the partners of a limited liability partnership.

Must-have Attachments:

For a change in corporate, LLP, or LLP name, the following attachments are required:

• A photocopy of the certificate from the Corporations section of the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, demonstrating the new corporate, LLC, or LLP name.
• A certified notarized copy of the resolution by the corporate board of directors, managing members or manager of the LLC, or general partners of the LLP, indicating the decision to change the name.

For a change in person(s) designated in Responsible Charge, the following attachments are needed:

• A certified notarized copy of the resolution by the corporate board of directors, managing members or manager of the LLC, or general partners of the LLP, designating the current Alaska-registered professional in responsible charge for each branch of practice.
• A certified statement from the person(s) designated as being in responsible charge.

For a change in field(s) of practice, the following attachments are required:

• A certified notarized copy of the amendment to corporate, LLC, or LLP bylaws, clearly indicating each field in which the corporation, LLC, or LLP intends to practice.
• A certified notarized copy of the resolution by the corporate board of directors, managing members or manager of the LLC, or general partners of the LLP, designating the current Alaska-registered professional in charge for each branch of practice.

Reinstatement

• Agency Fee: Licenses expired for less than 5 years will require a fee of $300. Licenses expired for 5 years or more will require a fee of $500.
• Note For licenses that have expired under 5 years, the standard renewal procedure must be followed. This entails following the regular steps and requirements for license renewal. However, for licenses that have lapsed for more than 5 years, a new license application must be submitted.

Individual Licenses

Alaska Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the form  Application for Architect by Exam
• Agency Fee: The total cost for registration and application is $300, which includes a $100 registration fee and a non-refundable $200 application fee.
• Notarize is required

Reciprocal Registration

• Fill out the form Application by comity. Consider that the filing method is via mail.
• Agency Fee: $150 + $6 credit card fee
• Instructions:

1. Applications, along with supporting documents such as work experience verifications, official transcripts, and registration and examination verification, must be submitted to the Juneau office at least 30 days prior to a scheduled board meeting. Nonrefundable application fees are also required.
2. Applicants will receive email notifications regarding the board’s decision as soon as possible, but no later than three weeks after the board meeting. Any documents received prior to the application will be retained for up to one year and matched with the application upon receipt.
3. It is important to note that Alaska does not offer reciprocity agreements with any other state or country, meaning that professional licensure from other jurisdictions does not automatically transfer.
4. Comity, which is the potential recognition of professional registrants from other states, territories, and foreign countries, is at the discretion of the Board and subject to compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.
5. Applicants are required to have their examinations and work experience verified by a third party using Alaska forms. These verifications should be mailed directly to the Alaska board office. While NCARB Council Records may be accepted for verification of education, examinations, and current registration, the corresponding section of the application must still be completed, and “see NCARB Record” should not be used as a response.
6. Applicants must meet the qualifications for licensure as outlined in accordance with AS 08.48.201.

• Turnaround time: 
  • Applications are processed in the order they are received. The Board holds meetings four times a year, typically in February, May, August, and November. The specific dates for these meetings are posted on the Board’s website.
  • The average processing time for a paper application is between 2 to 4 weeks from the date it is received in the office. This timeline applies when the application is complete with all the required forms, supporting documents, and the appropriate fees have been paid.

Note: These requirements must be met in order for reciprocal applicants to be considered for licensure: take an Arctic engineering course and complete a jurisprudence questionnaire.

Must-have attachments

• Education, Exam, Experience & Registration Verification:
  • Option to submit an NCARB Record OR
  • If initially licensed on or before July 13, 2011:
    • Official transcripts must be directly submitted from the institution via email or mail (12 AAC 36.061).
    • Verification of A.R.E. exams and current registration from another state board must be directly submitted to our office via email or mail.
  • And Either:
    • Completed work experience verification form (08-TBP) demonstrating a minimum of 24 months of Responsible Charge (R.C.) per 12 AAC 36.103(b)(3).
    • Two letters of reference from professional architects:
      • Letters must be signed and sealed by professional architects from a state, territory, or foreign country.
      • Letters should address your professional experience since registration, ability and character, professional association with you, and the duration of the reference’s association with you (minimum five years) during your tenure as a registered architect.

• Completion of a Board-approved Arctic course (listed on the Board’s website) is required for all architect applicants. The application can be submitted before completing the course to expedite the process (12 AAC 36.110(a)).

• A Jurisprudence Questionnaire must be completed as part of the application process.

Registration Renewal

• Due date: Before December 31 of odd-numbered years.
• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: Active registrations: A fee of $100 is applicable for active registrations. Licenses issued in the second half of the biennial renewal period during their first renewal: For licenses issued in the latter half of the renewal period and undergoing their initial renewal, a reduced fee of $50 is required.

Alaska Landscape Architect Registration

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the form Application for Architect by Exam
• Agency Fee: $200 application fee + $100 registration fee
• Notarized is required

Registration Renewal

• Due date: Before December 31 of odd-numbered years.
• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: Active registrations: $100. Licenses issued during their first renewal in the second half of the biennial renewal period: $50

Non-State Level Architecture Firm Licenses in Alaska

This section aims to clarify licenses that are not required in Alaska for architecture firms.

Alaska Interior Design Firm License

Alaska does not have state-level licensure requirements for interior design firms. There is no current licensing or registration process for interior design businesses in Alaska

Alaska Interior Design License

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

Register for the Architect Registration Examination

Securing an architect’s license in Alaska opens up a world of opportunities to practice architecture in the state. The journey commences with the pursuit of a professional degree in architecture, a fundamental requirement in your quest to become a licensed architect. This degree is not just a piece of paper, but a testament to your knowledge and comprehension of architectural principles, a rite of passage that equips you with the tools to craft and shape the built environment.

Remember, it’s important that your architecture degree is obtained from a program accredited by a recognized body such as the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). This accreditation assures that the program meets the industry’s standards and provides the necessary skills and training.

Architect registration in Alaska is a crucial step that formalizes your standing in the industry. This process includes satisfying the state’s requirements and passing the relevant examinations. With this license, you will have the legal authority to practice architecture, offering your expertise to develop the Alaska landscape. Now that you are armed with this information, you’re one step closer to realizing your architectural aspirations.

Disclaimer: These requirements are subject to change based on approval board discretion. For the most up-to-date information, please visit Alaska State Board Of Registration For Architects, Engineers, And Land Surveyors website.