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

To earn an architect’s license in Michigan, one must first obtain a professional architecture degree from a NAAB-accredited institution, typically a five-year B.Arch or two-year M.Arch degree. Afterward, you need to accumulate 3,740 hours of practical experience via an internship or apprenticeship under a licensed architect’s supervision.

The next step is passing the six-division Architect Registration Examination (ARE) administered by the NCARB within a span of five years. Subsequently, apply for licensure through the Michigan Board of Architects, paying the necessary fees, and submitting proof of your education, experience, and examination results. You’ll also need to pass a state-specific test about Michigan architectural laws and regulations.

Upon completion of these steps, a license to practice architecture in Michigan will be granted. Bear in mind, the license must be renewed biennially and continued education is necessary for its maintenance.

How Do I Take The Architect Registration Examination In Michigan?

Company Licenses

Michigan Architecture, Engineering, or Surveying Firm Approval

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

• Business Corporations: A minimum of two-thirds of the officers and directors must be licensed design professionals.
• Professional Corporations: All officers and shareholders are required to be licensed design professionals.
• Limited Liability Companies: At least two-thirds of the members and managers should be licensed design professionals.
• Professional Limited Liability Companies: Every member and manager must be a licensed design professional.
• Partnerships: At least two-thirds of the partners need to be licensed design professionals.

First-Time Applicants

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

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $0

Before Applying, Take In Consideration:

Domestic Applicants:

1. Assign a full-time employee, who is a Michigan licensed design professional, to oversee each professional service provided by the firm in Michigan.
2. Confirm that your business structure meets the ownership prerequisites.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Designate a full-time worker, who is a Michigan licensed design professional, to supervise each professional service your firm offers in Michigan.
2. Ensure your Michigan-based entity satisfies the ownership requirements.
3. Acquire a certificate of good standing from the state where your business entity is originally registered. This certificate, which must not be older than 30 days, should be submitted during the process of foreign qualification.

How to apply:

Domestic Applicants:

1. Submit the necessary entity formation documents to the Bureau of Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing – Corporations Division.
2. Register online, supplying key information such as: the name and address of the firm, the person’s name submitting the request, and a statement certifying that “two-thirds of the principals of (Your Firm Name) are licensed in Michigan under Article 20 of the Occupational Code, and both the firm and its principals adhere to the law and regulations set forth by the Department”.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Lodge your foreign qualification documents with the Bureau of Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing – Corporations Division.
2. Initiate online registration, providing necessary details like: the firm’s name seeking approval, the firm’s address, the name of the individual submitting the request, along with a certification stating “two-thirds of the principals of (Your Firm Name) are licensed in Michigan under Article 20 of the Occupational Code, and the actions of the firm and its principals comply with the laws and rules implemented by the Department”.

Registration Renewal

While no formal application for renewal is required, the department may ask a firm to provide certain information. This could include the names and addresses of its principals, individuals in charge, non-licensed principals, and any other details deemed necessary by the department.

Individual Licenses

Michigan Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Architect Licensing Guide. Consider that the filing method is online.
• Agency Fee: $100

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online.
• Agency Fee: $70
• Due: Biennially

Michigan Landscape Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Landscape Architect Licensing Guide. Consider that the filing method is online.
• Agency Fee: $320

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online.
• Agency Fee: $120
• Due: Biennially

Non-State Level Architecture Firm Licenses in Michigan

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

Michigan Interior Design Firm License

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

Michigan Interior Designer License

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

Register for the Architect Registration Examination

Securing an architect’s license in Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan 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 License and Regulatory Affairs of Michigan Website.