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

To secure an architect’s license in Oregon, adhere to the following procedure. Begin with acquiring a professional architectural degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). You can opt for either a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) or a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree. Bear in mind that the Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners may not recognize degrees from non-accredited programs.
Post-academic qualification, you are required to gather practical experience through an internship or an apprenticeship. The Pennsylvania State Board of Architects mandates completion of at least 3,740 hours of work experience under the guidance of a licensed architect.

Once you have your professional degree, proceed to gather practical experience via an apprenticeship or internship program. The supervising licensed architect needs to document and verify a minimum of 3,740 hours of experience, as mandated by the Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners.

After accumulating the required experience, you are eligible to sit for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE), which is overseen by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). This exam includes six divisions, all of which must be cleared within a span of five years for you to be eligible for licensure in Oregon.

Upon passing the ARE, you can put forth your application for licensure to the Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners. This involves submitting proof of your academic qualifications, practical experience, and exam scores. Furthermore, a state-specific examination on architectural laws and regulations in Oregon needs to be passed.

How Do I Take The Architect Registration Examination In Oregon?

Company Licenses

Oregon Architectural Firm Permit

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

Business Corporations:

• A minimum of two-thirds of the board members should hold either an architect or engineer license.
• At least one-third of the board should comprise licensed architects.
• One of the directors must possess an Oregon architect license.
• If a company has been continuously active since September 29, 1991, and at least 51 percent of it is architect or engineer-owned, it is exempt from common ownership requirements but must still adhere to all other architectural firm name requirements.

Professional Corporations:

• At least two-thirds of the board must consist of licensed architects or engineers.
• One-third of the directors should be licensed architects.
• There should be at least one director who is an Oregon licensed architect.

Limited Liability Companies:

• A minimum of two-thirds of the members should be licensed architects or engineers and represent at least two-thirds of the company’s ownership interest.
• At least one-third of the members should be licensed architects.
• There should be at least one member who is an Oregon licensed architect.

Partnerships:

• At least two-thirds of the partners should be licensed architects or engineers and represent at least two-thirds of the ownership interest in the partnership.
• One-third of the partners must be licensed architects.
• One partner should be an Oregon licensed architect.

First-Time Applicants

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

• Fill out the Architectural Firm Application
• Agency Fee: $100 application fee + $200 registration fee
• Notarize is required
• Guidelines:

Name Requirements

• The firm’s name, or assumed business name, must clearly imply its involvement in architectural practice, such as “Architects,” “An Architectural P.C.,” or “Architecture and Planning”.
• The plural form of architect may only be used if the firm employs more than one architect registered in any jurisdiction recognized by the Board.
• The name may incorporate the surname of anyone currently or previously associated with the practice of architecture or engineering in a jurisdiction recognized by the Board, connected with the named entity or its members or predecessors.
• Terms implying the existence of additional principals, directors, partners or associates, such as “Associated,” “Group,” “& Associates,” or “Partners,” must refer to actual individuals currently or formerly part of the firm.
• The firm name can include numbers, provided it doesn’t mislead the public. For instance, “Three Oregon Architects” must employ three architects registered in Oregon.

Before Applying, Take In Consideration:

Domestic Applicants:

1. Verify that your organization adheres to Oregon’s ownership prerequisites.
2. Designate an Oregon licensed architect to oversee the firm’s professional tasks in Oregon.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Ensure that your entity in Oregon complies with the state’s ownership rules.
2. Assign an Oregon licensed architect to take charge of the firm’s professional functions in Oregon.
3. Secure a certificate of good standing from your company’s origin state (needed during the foreign qualification filing). This certificate should not be older than 60 days at the time of filing foreign qualification papers.

How to apply:

Domestic Applicants:

1. Submit the company’s formation paperwork to the Oregon Secretary of State – Corporations Division.
2. Acquire a certificate of existence from the Secretary of State for your license application.
3. Submit an Architectural Firm Application to the Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Present foreign qualification papers to the Oregon Secretary of State – Corporations Division.
2. Get a certificate of existence from the Secretary of State for your license application.
3. Submit an Architectural Firm Application to the Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners.

Must-have Attachments

• A Certificate of Existence for your firm, issued by the Oregon Secretary of State.
• A detailed list of your firm’s directors, members, or partners. This list should include their addresses, license numbers, and the jurisdiction where they are licensed.

Registration Renewal

This section pertains to architectural firms that are currently licensed in Oregon and are in the process of renewing their license.

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $200
• Due:  The renewal is due annually by January 31st. However, firms that first apply for a license after October 1st of a given year aren’t required to renew by January 31st of the subsequent year.
• Note: Firms that are registered will receive a renewal notification via email in December.

Must-have Attachments

• A comprehensive list of the firm’s directors, members, or partners with their addresses and license numbers.
• Disclose any disciplinary actions against individuals associated with the firm, if any.

Amendment

• Fill out the Contact Information Change Form
• Due:  Within 60 days of the effective date of the change
• Note: A change of firm name requires that you reapply.

Individual Licenses

Oregon Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the forms: Registration by Examination Application and Architect Emeritus Application. Consider that the filing method is via email to architectboard@osbae.oregon.gov
• Agency Fee: $75-$150 application fee + $75 exam fee

How to apply:

Registration by Examination

• Request the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) to send your complete record to the Board. This includes evidence of:
  • A professional architecture degree from a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) accredited program, or a certified professional architecture degree from a Canadian University by the CACB
  • Completion of the Architectural Experience Program (AXP)
  • Passing the Architect Registration Exam (ARE)

• Submit a full Registration by Examination Application
• Pay the Application and Certificate of Registration fees either by check or through online payments
• Pass the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam (JE) – further information will be provided upon completion of the application and payment of the application fee

Architect Emeritus Status

• An “Architect Emeritus” title may be awarded by the Board upon receiving an application from a registered architect in Oregon in good standing.
• Eligibility requirements include:
  • Being 60 years or older
  • Having practiced architecture for at least 20 years in a recognized jurisdiction
  • Being an Oregon resident during their active architectural practice and having held an Oregon individual architect registration for a minimum of 10 consecutive years

• There are no fees associated with Architect Emeritus status.
• This status is inactive, meaning the individual cannot practice architecture in Oregon or use the title of architect.
• To regain eligibility to practice architecture in Oregon, the Architect Emeritus must adhere to the reinstatement requirements outlined in OAR 806-010-0060.
• A certificate will be issued by the Board to those granted Architect Emeritus status in accordance with OAR 806.

Reciprocal Registration

• Fill out the Registration by Reciprocity Application
• Agency Fee: $100 reciprical fee + $200 registration fee
• Note: 

1. If you answer “Yes” to questions 3, 4, 5, or 6 regarding discipline or previous criminal charges, you must provide additional information to elaborate on these matters.
2. Architectural firms must also be registered with the Board. The Architectural Firm Application can be found on the official website of the Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners (OSBAE) under “Applications and Forms”.
3. You should familiarize yourself with the Statutes and Administrative Rules governing the practice of architecture in Oregon. These can be viewed on the OSBAE website under “Statutes”.
4. After receiving your application and fee, the Board will email you a link to the Board’s online Jurisprudence Exam (JE). To prepare for the exam, review the Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules on the Board’s website. You will have 90 minutes to complete the exam once you start it, and you must score at least 84% to pass. If you fail, you must wait 7 days before you can retake the JE.
5. The email address you provide on your application will be used for all communication from the OSBAE.
6. Once you are registered, you must practice under your legal name as it appears on your registration certificate. Ensure that you enter the correct name on your application.

• Submission Process:
  • Payment options: via post or online
  • Email your signed application and necessary documents to architectboard@osbae.oregon.gov, or mail them to the provided postal address. Retain a duplicate of your application for personal records. Please note that applications have a lifespan of one year from the day the Board receives them.

How to Apply:

1. Hold an active architectural license or certificate of registration from another jurisdiction recognized by the Board.
2. Either transmit an active Certificate issued by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) or submit official evidence (i.e., provided to the Board by the granting authority) of all the following:

• • A professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB), or a professional degree in architecture certified by the CACB from a Canadian University.
  • Passing the Architect Registration Exam (ARE) or the examination equivalents to the ARE as listed in the June 2020 NCARB. Certification Guidelines, which are available at www.ncarb.org.
  • Completion of the NCARB Architectural Experience Program (AXP), or two years of practice in architecture in a jurisdiction recognized by the Board after initial registration or licensure.

3. Submit a complete Registration by Reciprocity Application.
4. Pay the Application and Certificate of Registration fees either by check or online.
5. Pass the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam (JE) – further information will be provided upon completion of the application and payment of the application fee.

Must-have Attachments

1. You must have your NCARB record transmitted to the OSBAE office.
2. If you do not hold an active NCARB certificate, you must submit official documentary evidence of the following:
3. A professional degree in architecture that meets the education standard under OAR 806-010-0010(1)
4. Successful completion of the ARE or the examination equivalent to the ARE as listed in the current NCARB Certification Guidelines
5. Completion of the NCARB AXP program, or two years of practice in architecture in a jurisdiction recognized by the Board after initial registration or licensure. Note that the OSBAE will only accept official documents sent directly from the licensing agency.

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online.
• Agency Fee: $200

Due: The renewal of registrations happens every two years by December 31st. Registrations with an even number at the end are renewed during even-numbered years, while those with an odd number at the end are renewed during odd-numbered years.

Oregon Landscape Architecture Business Registration

First-Time Applicants

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

• Fill out the Application for Business Registration
• Agency Fee: $100.00 application fee + $225.00 registration fee + $50.00 initial statement of responsibility filing

Registration Renewal

• Agency Fee: $225
• Due: Annually by the last day of the month that the registration was initially issued in.

Oregon Landscape Architect Registration

First-Time Applicants

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $35 application fee + $76 license fee

Reciprocal Registration

• Fill out the Application – Landscape Architect Registration
• Agency Fee: $100 application fee + $325 registration fee

How to Apply:

1. Apply online by accessing the reciprocity application portal.
2. Contact the Board in the state where you are currently licensed or certified and request them to send a verification of your license or certification to the Oregon Board.
3. If applicable, arrange for your college or university to send an official transcript directly to the Oregon Board, verifying your education qualifications.

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online.
• Agency Fee: $325
• Due: Annually by the end of the month of initial registration.

Non-State Level Architecture Firm Licenses in Oregon

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

Oregon Interior Design Firm License

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

Oregon Interior Designer License

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

Register for the Architect Registration Examination

Securing an architect’s license in Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners.