On this page, you’ll find an exhaustive guide on the Connecticut Architect License Requirements and the Architect Registration process in Connecticut. 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 Connecticut?

To become an architect in Connecticut, you must either hold a degree accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or satisfy the education requirements outlined in the current N.C.A.R.B. (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) education standard. Additionally, you need to complete the N.C.A.R.B. Intern Development Program (I.D.P.), which provides practical training and experience in various aspects of professional practice. By fulfilling these requirements, you can progress towards obtaining licensure as an architect in Connecticut. It is important to stay updated with the current standards and guidelines established by the N.C.A.R.B. to ensure eligibility for licensure.

How Do I Take The Architect Registration Examination In Connecticut?

Company Licenses

Connecticut Joint Practice License

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

• For Business Corporations and Professional Service Corporations:
  • Individuals licensed as architects, landscape architects, professional engineers, or land surveyors must collectively own at least 2/3 of the voting stock of the corporation.
  • Each profession (architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, or land surveying) must individually own a minimum of 20% of the voting stock of the company.
• For Limited Liability Companies:
  • Persons licensed as architects, landscape architects, professional engineers, or land surveyors must collectively own not less than 2/3 of the voting interest of the LLC.
  • Each profession must own a minimum of 20% of the voting interest of the company.
• For Professional Associations:
  • Each member of the association must be licensed in one of the professions offered by the association.
• For Partnerships:
  • At least 1/2 of the partners or principals must be licensed architects.
  • Any member engaged in the practice of engineering must also be licensed.

First-Time Applicants

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

• Fill out the Application for Joint Practice of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Professional Engineering, & Land Surveying. Consider that the instructions and the filing method is via mail or Online.
• Agency Fee: $565
• Notarize is required

Before Applying, Take In Consideration:

Domestic Applicants:

1. Ensure that your business entity meets the ownership requirements.
2. Ensure that your firm has at least one licensed individual who will act as the responsible party for each professional service.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Ensure that your Connecticut business entity meets the ownership requirements.
2. Ensure that your firm has at least one licensed individual in Connecticut who will act as the responsible party for each professional service.
3. Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity’s home state, which should not be more than 90 days old at the time of filing the foreign qualification documents.

How to apply:

Domestic Applicants:

1. File entity formation documents with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
2. Obtain a Certificate of Legal Existence (good standing) from the Connecticut Secretary of State to be submitted with the license application.
3. Submit an Application for Architecture Corporation to the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board.

Foreign Applicants:

1. File a foreign qualification application with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
2. Submit an Application for Architecture Corporation to the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board along with a certificate of good standing from the secretary of state of your entity’s home state.

Must-have Attachments

• A Certificate of Good Standing issued by the state of incorporation, dated within 30 days prior to filing the application.
• A list of directors, officers, managers, or members including their address, title, and Connecticut license number (if applicable).
• A list of holders of voting stock or voting shares, including their address, title, and Connecticut license number.
• A list of personnel in responsible charge of the architectural, engineering, landscape architecture, or land surveying services provided by the firm, including their address, title, and Connecticut license number.

Registration Renewal

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

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $375
• Due: Annually by April 30.
• Note: Renewal notices for the architecture corporation license are typically sent out approximately 30-45 days before the expiration date. It is important to keep a lookout for these notices to ensure timely renewal of the license and compliance with the renewal requirements.

Must-have Attachments

• List of directors, officers, managers, or members of the firm, including their addresses.
• List of licensees who are in responsible charge of the firm’s professional services.
• List of holders of voting stock or voting interest in the corporation.

Individual Licenses

Connecticut Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Application for Architect’s License. Consider that the instructions and the filing method is via mail or Online.
• Agency Fee: $72

Reciprocal Registration

• Submission method: Application for Architect’s License. Consider that the instructions and the filing method is via mail or Online.
• Agency Fee: $100

How To Apply

For Architects with an NCARB Certificate Record:

• Contact the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and request a Certificate Record to be sent to the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board.
• Complete the Application for Architect’s License (Form CPAR-01) and mail it, along with a $100 check payable to Treasurer, State of Connecticut, to the address specified on the form.

For Architects with Registration in Another State:

• Present evidence to the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board that the registration requirements in your current state are substantially equivalent to Connecticut’s licensure requirements.
• Demonstrate that you have been practicing in the other state for at least ten continuous years.
• Mail the Architect’s Certification from State of Licensure (Form CPAR-02) to the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board and request that it be completed and sent directly to them.
• Also, send the NCARB Examination Scores Reporting Form to the state(s) where you initially applied for and took your Architect Registration Examination. Request that they complete the form and send it directly to the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board.
• Complete the Application for Architect’s License (Form CPAR-01) and mail it, along with a $100 check payable to Treasurer, State of Connecticut, to the address specified on the form.

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $190
• Due: Annually by July 31.

Connecticut Landscape Architecture License for Corporate Practice of Landscape Architecture

First-Time Applicants

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

• Fill out the Corporate Practice of Landscape Architecture Application Form. Consider that the instructions and the filing method is via mail or Online.
• Agency Fee: $80
• Notarize is required

Must-have Attachments

1. List of directors, officers, managers, or members of the firm, including their addresses and Connecticut license numbers.
2. List of licensees who are in responsible charge of the firm’s professional services.
3. List of holders of voting stock or voting interest in the corporation.

Registration Renewal

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

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $200
• Due: Annually by July 31.
• Note: Renewal notices for the architecture corporation license in Connecticut are sent approximately 30-45 days prior to the expiration date.

Connecticut License for Corporate Practice of Architecture

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

Business Corporations: the chief executive officer and all personnel acting on behalf of the corporation as architects must be licensed architects.

Professional Service Corporations: not less than 2/3 of the individual members of the professional corporation (PC) must be licensed architects.

Limited Liability Companies: not less than 2/3 of the individual members of the limited liability company (LLC) must be licensed architects.

Professional Associations: all members of the professional association must be licensed architects.

Partnerships: all partners of the partnership must be licensed architects.

First-Time Applicants

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

• Fill out the Application for Licensure for Corporate Practice of Architecture. Consider that the instructions and the filing method is via mail or Online.
• Agency Fee: $50
• Notarize is required

Before Applying, Take In Consideration:

Domestic Applicants:

1. Ensure that your business entity meets the ownership requirements specified by Connecticut regulations

Foreign applicants:

• Verify that your Connecticut entity complies with the ownership requirements outlined by the state.
• Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity’s home state. This certificate should not be more than 90 days old at the time of filing the foreign qualification documents. The certificate will be submitted as part of the foreign qualification process.

How to apply:

Domestic Applicants:

1. File entity formation documents with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
2. Obtain a Certificate of Legal Existence (good standing) from the Connecticut Secretary of State. This certificate should be filed with the license application.
3. Submit the completed “Application for Architecture Corporation” to the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board.

Foreign Applicants:

1. File a foreign qualification application with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
2. Submit the completed “Application for Architecture Corporation” to the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board, along with a certificate of good standing from the secretary of state of your entity’s home state.

Must-have Attachments

1. A Certificate of Good Standing issued by the state of incorporation, dated within 30 days prior to filing the application.
2. A list of individuals licensed to practice architecture in Connecticut who will be in charge of architectural work by the corporation. This list should include all directors, officers, managers, or members, along with their address, title, and Connecticut license number.
3. A list of holders of voting stock or voting shares, including their address, title, and Connecticut license number.

Registration Renewal

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

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $220
• Due: Annually by July 31.
• Note: Renewal notices for the architecture corporation license are typically sent out approximately 30-45 days before the expiration date. It is important to keep a lookout for these notices to ensure timely renewal of the license and compliance with the renewal requirements.

Must-have Attachments

1. List of directors, officers, managers, or members of the firm, including their addresses.
2. List of licensees who are in responsible charge of the firm’s professional services.
3. List of holders of voting stock or voting interest in the corporation.

Amendment

• Agency Fee: $0
• Note: To report changes in firm information, simply submit an updated application with “Revised” written on the top. This notifies the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board of the updated information and facilitates the processing of the changes.

Reinstatement

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $220 Renewal fee + $22 late fee per year expired.
• Note: Expired licenses that have been inactive for over three years cannot be reinstated. In such cases, licensees are required to apply for a new license instead of attempting to reinstate the expired one.

Connecticut Interior Designer Registration

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Interior Designer Registration Form
• Agency Fee: $190

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $190
• Due: Annually by December 31.

Connecticut Landscape Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Landscape Architect Application. Consider that the instructions and the filing method is via mail or Online.
• Agency Fee: $80
• Notarize is required.

Reciprocal Registration

• Fill out the Landscape Architect Application. Consider that the instructions and the filing method is via mail or Online.
• Agency Fee: $80
• Notarize is required
• Note: 
  • When considering reciprocal licensing or a waiver of the examination requirement, the Connecticut Architectural Licensing Board evaluates the applicable statutes and regulations of the state where the applicant is currently licensed. The board determines whether the licensure standards of that state are substantially similar to or higher than those of Connecticut. Additionally, the applicant’s experience and education must meet or exceed the requirements set by Connecticut.
  • For reciprocal licensing or a waiver of the examination requirement, the applicant must provide a Council Certificate from the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB). However, the board may, for good cause, allow an applicant to submit information regarding education, examination, and experience in the form of a CLARB Council Record instead of a Council Certificate. These records and certificates help the board assess the applicant’s qualifications and determine eligibility for reciprocal licensing or a waiver of the examination requirement.

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $160
• Due: Annually by July 31.

Non-State Level Architecture Firm Licenses in Connecticut

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

Connecticut Interior Design Firm License

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

Register for the Architect Registration Examination

Securing an architect’s license in Connecticut 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 Connecticut 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 Connecticut 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 the Connecticut’s Official State Website.