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

Becoming a licensed architect in Hawaii, HI, necessitates a step-by-step process that includes the following key requirements:

1. Academic Qualification: The initial requirement is to successfully obtain a professional degree in architecture from an institution accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). The typical path involves completing either a five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) program or a two-year Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program.
2. Practical Experience: After acquiring the necessary degree, practical experience becomes crucial. This is accomplished through participation in an internship or apprenticeship program. The Hawaii Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects mandates a minimum of 3,740 supervised hours of experience under the guidance of a licensed architect.
3. Architect Registration Examination (ARE): Once the educational and practical experience requirements are fulfilled, aspiring architects can apply to take the Architect Registration Examination. Administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), this exam consists of six divisions that cover various facets of architecture, including site planning, building systems, and construction documents.
4. Licensure Application: Successful completion of the ARE enables candidates to proceed with the licensure application. This entails submitting an application, paying the required fee, and providing substantiating evidence of education, practical experience, and exam scores to the Hawaii Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.
5. Continuing Education: In addition to acquiring a license, architects in Hawaii must fulfill ongoing continuing education obligations to maintain their professional status. This necessitates completion of a specific number of hours of approved coursework or active participation in relevant professional development events on an annual basis.

By adhering to this comprehensive process, individuals can pursue a rewarding career as licensed architects in the state of Hawaii, HI.

How Do I Take The Architect Registration Examination In Hawaii?

Individual Licenses

Hawaii Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the form Requirements & Application  Consider that the filing method is via mail.
• Agency Fee: In Hawaii, the application fees for endorsement are $150, for examination it is $100, and the Hawaii Plant Materials examination carries a fee of $60. Please note that fees are subject to change, and it is advisable to consult the relevant authority for the most current information.
• Note: Regarding the verification of education and experience for licensure, applicants must provide documentation according to their educational background and licensure pathway. To demonstrate experience, applicants can follow these guidelines:
  • CLARB Council Record: If you hold a CLARB Council Record, you need to request CLARB to transmit it to the Board.
  • Supervised experience: If you have gained experience under supervision, you must have the “Verification of Supervision” form (EAS-16) completed by your supervisor(s). In case your supervisor is unavailable, you should contact your original state of licensure to submit documentation directly to the Board.
  • Experience in Responsible Charge (for endorsement): For endorsement-based licensure, completion of form EAS-11 is necessary to verify experience in responsible charge. It is important to note that experience in responsible charge requires twice the amount of the required lawful experience. For example, two years of experience in responsible charge will be credited as one year of the required lawful experience.
  • Combination of #2 and #3: Applicants can also provide a combination of supervised experience (verified through EAS-16) and experience in responsible charge (verified through EAS-11) to fulfill the requirements.

It is essential to carefully review the specific instructions and forms provided by the Board to ensure the accurate and complete submission of the required documentation for education and experience verification.

• Examination: For applicants seeking licensure via endorsement, verification of your current license, examination, and exam scores is required. To fulfill this requirement, you need to send the “Verification of Exam/License” form (S-1) to the state where you were originally licensed by examination. Please include the appropriate service fee, if any, as determined by your state licensing agency. If you have taken exams in multiple states, duplicate forms may be necessary. This form serves the purpose of verifying your out-of-state license.

In the case where you want to waive the CLARB exam, you must have a licensed landscape architect complete the “Verification of Experience in Responsible Charge” form (EAS-11) to document 15 years of experience in responsible charge.

For applicants pursuing licensure via the CLARB exam, please note that the CLARB exam (L.A.R.E.) is administered exclusively on Oahu in Hawaii. To sit for any section(s) of the exam, including the Board-produced Hawaii Plant Materials exam, you must submit a completed state application form to the Board and obtain approval. The L.A.R.E. is conducted three times a year in April, August, and December. It is crucial to submit applications at least ninety (90) calendar days prior to the L.A.R.E. date.

Additionally, applicants have the option to apply for the Board-produced landscape architectural licensing exam (Hawaii Plant Materials) on the same application used for the L.A.R.E. exam.

To ensure a smooth application process and adherence to the specific requirements, carefully review the instructions provided by the Board and submit all necessary forms and fees within the designated timelines.

Must-have Attachments

1. Copy of pertinent diplomas or official transcript(s) from an approved school or college. If you graduated from a foreign college, you may provide an ECE report.
2. Non-refundable application fee of $150 for endorsement or $100 for the exam. Please make the payment payable to Commerce & Consumer Affairs.
3. For the Hawaii Plant Materials examination, include a non-refundable examination fee of $60. This fee should also be made payable to Commerce & Consumer Affairs.
4. “Verification(s) of Supervision” form(s) completed by your supervisor(s) who hold a valid license as a landscape architect. Alternatively, you may submit an “Experience in Responsible Charge” form completed by a licensed landscape architect.
5. If applicable, include the “Verification of Exam/License” form from another state Board where you were originally licensed.
6. If you hold a CLARB Council Record, request CLARB to transmit your CLARB Council Record to the Board.

Reciprocal Registration

• Fill out the Verification of Exam/License – EASLA & Requirements & Application. Consider that the filing method is via mail.
• Agency Fee: $75
• Note: To verify your education and experience for licensure, the method will depend on your education level and licensure pathway:
  • CLARB Council Record: Request CLARB to transmit your Council Record directly to the Board.
  • Supervised experience: Have your supervisor(s) complete the “Verification of Supervision” form (EAS-16). If your supervisor is unavailable, contact your original state of licensure to submit documentation directly to the Board.
  • Experience in Responsible Charge (for endorsement): Complete form EAS-11. Note that experience in responsible charge requires double the amount of the required lawful experience.
• Examination for Licensure via Endorsement:
  For applicants seeking licensure via endorsement, verification of your current license, examination, and exam scores is required. Complete the “Verification of Exam/License” form (S-1) and submit it to the state where you were originally licensed by examination, along with the appropriate service fee if applicable. Duplicate the form if you took exams in multiple states. This process will also verify your out-of-state license. If you wish to waive the CLARB exam, a licensed landscape architect must complete the “Verification of Experience in Responsible Charge” form (EAS-11), documenting 15 years of experience in responsible charge.
• Examination for Licensure via CLARB Exam:
  Applicants pursuing licensure via the CLARB exam must submit a completed state application form to the Board for approval to sit for the exam sections, including the Board-produced Hawaii Plant Materials exam. The CLARB exam (L.A.R.E.) is conducted three times a year (April, August, and December) exclusively on Oahu in Hawaii. Applications must be submitted at least ninety (90) calendar days before the L.A.R.E. date.

Must-have Attachments

1. Completed application form, including details of your experience in the “Experience Record” section. Ensure that your supervisor is a licensed landscape architect other than yourself.
2. Copy of pertinent diplomas or official transcript(s) from an approved school or college. If you graduated from a foreign college, include an ECE report.
3. Non-refundable application fee of $150 for endorsement or $100 for the exam. Make the payment payable to Commerce & Consumer Affairs.
4. Examination fee of $60 for the Hawaii Plant Materials examination. Make the payment payable to Commerce & Consumer Affairs.
5. “Verification(s) of Supervision” form completed by your supervisor(s), who must be licensed landscape architects. Additionally, include the “Experience in Responsible Charge” form from a licensed landscape architect if applicable.
6. “Verification of Exam/License” form from another state Board, if applicable.
   OR
7. CLARB Council Record. Request CLARB to transmit your CLARB Council Record.

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $150
• Due: By April 30 of even-numbered years.

Hawaii Landscape Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the form Application for Licensure – Landscape Architect. 
• Agency Fee:  The fees associated with licensure are as follows:
  • Exam Fee: $100
  • Plant Materials Exam Fee: $60
  • License Fee:
    • For licenses issued between May 1 of an even-numbered year to April 30 of an odd-numbered year: $216
    • For licenses issued between May 1 of an odd-numbered year to April 30 of an even-numbered year: $114

Please note that these fees are subject to change, and it is recommended to consult the relevant authority or licensing board for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the specific fees for licensure.

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online.
• Agency Fee: $216
• Due: By April 30 of even-numbered years.

Non-State Level Architecture Firm Licenses in Hawaii

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

Hawaii Architecture Firm License

In Hawaii, architecture firm licensure is not mandatory at the state level. This means that architecture firms can operate without a specific license. However, they must adhere to the regulations outlined in HAR § 16-115-4 to ensure compliance.

For further details and specific guidelines regarding the practice of architecture in Hawaii, it is advisable to consult the Hawaii Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors & Landscape Architects. They can provide comprehensive information and answer any queries related to licensing requirements and regulations for architecture firms in the state.

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

• Business Corporations:
  1. For business corporations, officers and directors are not required to hold licenses. However, the corporation must designate a licensed individual in Hawaii who will assume responsibility for all professional activities conducted by the firm.
• Professional Corporations:
  1. In the case of professional corporations, certain criteria must be met. At least half of the directors in a Hawaii professional corporation, as well as all officers except the secretary and treasurer, must be licensed individuals qualified to perform the professional services offered by the firm. Additionally, at least one director must be a resident of Hawaii.
• Limited Liability Companies:
  1. In limited liability companies (LLCs), there is no requirement for members and managers to hold licenses. Nevertheless, the LLC must designate a licensed individual in Hawaii who will be accountable for all professional activities carried out by the firm.
• Partnerships:
  1. Partnerships differ from the individual licensing requirement perspective. Partners themselves are not obligated to be licensed, but the partnership must assign a licensed individual in Hawaii to assume responsibility for all professional activities conducted by the firm.

It is important to consult the specific regulations and guidelines outlined by the Hawaii Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors & Landscape Architects for accurate and up-to-date information regarding licensing requirements for different types of business entities engaging in professional services.

Hawaii Interior Design Firm License

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

Hawaii Landscape Architecture Firm License

Landscape architecture firm licensure is not required at the state level in Hawaii. For more information, you can contact the Hawaii State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects & Interior Designers.

Hawaii Interior Designer License

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

Register for the Architect Registration Examination

Securing an architect’s license in Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Website.