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

To become an architect in Kentucky, you’ll need to complete a Master of Architecture program accredited by the NAAB. Afterward, you’ll gain practical experience through an internship program like the Architectural Experience Program. Once you’ve completed the required internship hours, you can take the Architectural Registration Examination. Upon passing the exam, you can apply for licensure as an architect in Kentucky through the state board or relevant authority.

How Do I Take The Architect Registration Examination In Kentucky?

Individual Licenses

Kentucky Architecture License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the KY ARE Application Form
• Agency Fee: $100 application fee + $125 license fee due after approval
• Notarize is required
• Instructions:  Information and Instructions for Applicants for the ARE

Reciprocal Registration

• Submission method: Online.
• Agency Fee: $200 application fee + $125 license fee

How to Apply

1. Visit the NCARB website and log in to your account. From there, download the Uniform Application form.
2. Request NCARB to transmit your record to the board. This step ensures that the relevant information from your NCARB record is provided to the board for review.
3. Proceed to the BOA Payment Portal, where you can upload your completed Uniform Application. Along with the application, you will need to pay the $200 Architect Application fee. Please ensure that all required fields are properly filled out in the application.
4. Once the board receives your NCARB file and the completed Uniform Application with the required fee, your reciprocity application will be reviewed.

Registration Renewal

• Agency Fee: $125
• Due: Annually by June 30.

Kentucky Interior Designer Certification

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Application for Interior Design Certification
• Agency Fee: $100 application fee + $250 certification fee
• Notarize is required

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online.
• Agency Fee: $200
• Due: Annually by September 30.
• Note: Certificates that are initially issued between April 1 and September 30 do not require renewal until October 1 of the following year. This provision allows for an extended period before the first renewal is due, providing additional time for certificate holders to comply with the renewal requirements. It is important to adhere to the renewal timeline to ensure the continued validity of the certificate.

Kentucky Professional Landscape Architecture License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Application for License to Practice Professional Landscape Architecture
• Agency Fee: $250
• Notarize is required

Reciprocal Registration

• Fill out the Application for License to Practice Professional Landscape Architecture
• Agency Fee: $250
• Notarize is required
• Note: For CLARB Council Record holders who request CLARB to send their Council Record to the Kentucky Board, there is no need to complete the entire application. The “Experience” page of the application can be left blank, and instead, please indicate “See CLARB Council Record” in that section of the application.

It’s important to note that any professional references previously included in the Council Record will not be transmitted to the Board. Therefore, you will need to provide and we will need to contact five professionals to serve as references for your application. Among these references, three must be landscape architects. By following these instructions, you can streamline the application process and ensure that the relevant information from your CLARB Council Record is considered by the Kentucky Board.

Registration Renewal

• Agency Fee: $250
• Due: Annually by June 30.

Non-State Level Architecture Firm Licenses in Kentucky

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

Kentucky Architecture Firm License

In Kentucky, there is no requirement for Architecture Firm licensure at the state level. However, it is important to note that all architectural work must be overseen by a licensed individual. Before conducting business, firms should consult the board rules and state statutes to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. For further details, it is advisable to refer to the Kentucky Board of Architects for additional information and guidance.

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

• Business Corporations:
• Officers and directors are not required to be licensed architects. However, the actual practice of architecture in Kentucky must be carried out by licensed architects.
• Professional Corporations:
• For professional corporations, all incorporators, shareholders, at least 1/2 of the directors, and each officer (except for the secretary and treasurer) must be licensed architects.
• Limited Liability Companies:
• In limited liability companies (LLCs), members and managers are not required to be licensed architects. However, the practice of architecture in Kentucky must be performed by licensed architects.
• Professional Limited Liability Companies:
• Similar to regular LLCs, members and managers of professional limited liability companies are not required to be licensed architects. However, the practice of architecture in Kentucky must be performed by licensed architects.
• Partnerships:
• In partnerships, partners are not required to be licensed architects. However, the practice of architecture in Kentucky must be carried out by licensed architects.

Kentucky Interior Design Firm License

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

Kentucky Landscape Architecture Firm License

Landscape Architecture Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Kentucky. However, individual landscape architects must include firm information in their license application. For more details, you can refer to the Kentucky Landscape Architect Registration Board.

Register for the Architect Registration Examination

Securing an architect’s license in Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Official State of Kentucky Website.