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

Architecture in the state of Idaho is regulated by the Idaho Board of Architectural Examiners (IBAE), which issues licenses and oversees the profession. To practice architecture in Idaho, individuals must obtain a license from the IBAE. There are two pathways to licensure: examination and endorsement.

For licensure by examination, applicants must complete an architecture program at a college or school and have either completed or started three years of experience as an architectural intern. Alternatively, they may demonstrate knowledge and skill equivalent to that gained through graduation and eight years of experience, along with starting or completing an intern program. Once the application is approved by the board, candidates are responsible for scheduling their own exam. Licensure by examination requires passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE), which is administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).

Licensure by endorsement is available to individuals who hold a license from another state and also possess an NCARB Certificate.

It is important to adhere to the specific requirements and guidelines set by the IBAE for licensure in Idaho.

How Do I Take The Architect Registration Examination In Idaho?

Individual Licenses

Idaho Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the ARC Examination Application. Consider that the filing method is via mail.
• Agency Fee: $25

Must-have Attachments

Applicants who graduated from a NAAB Accredited Program:

1. Complete and sign the application form, ensuring it is notarized with a notary seal.
2. Include the required fees with your application.
3. Provide proof of identification by submitting a clear and readable color copy of a government-issued photo ID, such as a passport, military ID, or valid driver’s license.
4. Arrange for your official transcripts to be sent directly to the licensing authority from the issuing educational institution.
5. Include proof of starting or completing the Architectural Experience Program (AXP).
6. If applicable, submit a copy of legal name change documentation (marriage license, divorce decree, or court order) if the name used on any accompanying documents does not match the name on the application.

Applicants who did not graduate from a NAAB Accredited Program:

1. Complete and sign the application form, ensuring it is notarized with a notary seal.
2. Include the required fees with your application.
3. Provide proof of identification by submitting a clear and readable color copy of a government-issued photo ID, such as a passport, military ID, or valid driver’s license.
4. Verify 8 years of experience by providing letters of reference on company letterhead from direct supervisor(s) detailing your work experience.
5. Include proof of starting or completing the Architectural Experience Program (AXP).
6. If applicable, submit a copy of legal name change documentation (marriage license, divorce decree, or court order) if the name used on any accompanying documents does not match the name on the application.

Please ensure that all required documents are included and follow any additional instructions provided by the licensing authority for a smooth application process.

Reciprocal Registration

• Fill out the ARC Endorsement Application. Consider that the filing method is via mail.
• Agency Fee: $50
• Idaho. Applications must be submitted at least ninety (90) calendar days before the L.A.R.E. date.

Must-have Attachments

1. Proof of Identification: Submit a clear and readable color copy of a government-issued photo ID, such as a passport, military ID, or valid driver’s license.
2. NCARB Record or Certificate: If you have an NCARB record or certificate, it should be sent directly from NCARB to the Idaho Board. This will serve as verification of your qualifications. Alternatively, you can provide certification(s) of licensure from the state(s) where you are currently or have ever been licensed. If the states have a primary source verification website, you may print off the information and include it with your application. The printout must include the primary source verification language. This will confirm your licensure status and passing of all divisions of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) or an acceptable alternate exam.
3. Copy of Legal Name Change: If you have undergone a legal name change, such as through marriage, divorce, or a court order, provide the relevant documentation (e.g., marriage license, divorce decree, or court order). This is necessary if the name used on any accompanying documents, such as transcripts or proof of age, does not match the name on the application.

Registration Renewal

The following information is relevant to architects who are currently licensed in Idaho and require license renewal.

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $50
• Due: Annually by the licensee’s date of birth.

Idaho Landscape Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Landscape Architect Application. 
• Agency Fee: $75 application fee + $125 license fee
• Notarize is required

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online.
• Agency Fee: $125
• Due: Annually by the licensee’s date of birth.

Non-State Level Architecture Firm Licenses in Idaho

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

In Idaho, architecture firm licensure is not mandated at the state level. While firm licenses are not issued, it is important to note that all architectural work must be overseen by a licensed individual. Architecture firms are advised to review the rules and statutes set forth by the Idaho Board of Architectural Examiners before conducting business in the state. For comprehensive information and guidance regarding architectural practice and regulations in Idaho, it is recommended to consult the Idaho Board of Architectural Examiners.

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

• Business Corporations:
  • Officers and directors of business corporations are not required to be licensed. However, the corporation must appoint a licensed individual in Idaho who will be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm.
• Professional Corporations:
  • In Idaho, for professional corporations (PCs), all officers, shareholders, and directors must be licensed individuals.
• Foreign Professional Corporations:
  • For foreign professional corporations operating in Idaho, there is no license requirement for officers and shareholders. However, the firm must appoint an Idaho licensed individual who will be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm.
• Limited Liability Companies (LLCs):
  • In the case of limited liability companies (LLCs), members are not required to be licensed. However, the LLC must appoint an Idaho licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm.
• Professional Limited Liability Companies (PLLCs):
  • For Idaho PLLCs, both members and managers must be licensed individuals.
• Foreign Professional Limited Liability Companies:
  • For foreign PLLCs operating in Idaho, there is no license requirement for members and managers. However, the firm must appoint an Idaho licensed individual who will be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm.
• Partnerships:
  • Partnerships in Idaho do not require partners to be licensed. However, the partnership must appoint an Idaho licensed individual who will be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm.

It is essential to adhere to the specific licensing requirements outlined by the Idaho Board of Architectural Examiners and comply with relevant regulations for each type of business entity engaged in professional architectural activities in the state.

Idaho Interior Design Firm License

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

Idaho Landscape Architecture Firm License

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

Idaho Landscape Architecture Firm License

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

Register for the Architect Registration Examination

Securing an architect’s license in Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho Division Of Occupational And Professional Licenses Website.