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

To achieve an architecture license in South Carolina, an initial step entails earning a professional degree from a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) approved program. This can be a five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) or a two-year Master of Architecture (M.Arch). Subsequently, you need to acquire practical experience through an internship or apprenticeship, typically spanning three years, to accumulate a minimum of 3,740 hours of experience as stipulated by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).

Your next step is to pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE), a six-part exam that tests different aspects of architecture, such as site planning, construction documents, and building systems. All six divisions must be cleared within five years for licensure.

The licensure application must be sent to the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners, including evidence of your education, professional experience, ARE passing scores, and testimonials from licensed architects vouching for your competencies.

Moreover, it is important to meet the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners’ ethical and professional standards, which include adherence to a code of ethics and completion of continuing education courses to uphold your license. After all these steps are accomplished, you’ll be officially licensed to practice architecture in South Carolina.

How Do I Take The Architect Registration Examination In South Carolina?

Company Licenses

South Carolina Certificate of Authorization (Architecture)

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

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

Business Corporations:

No requirement for officers and directors to be licensed, however, a South Carolina licensed architect must be appointed to manage all architectural activities conducted by the corporation in South Carolina. The corporation must provide a Tax ID Number, or the application will not be processed.

Professional Corporations:

All shareholders, at least half of the directors, and all officers (except the secretary and treasurer) must be licensed professionals in a service provided by the corporation. The corporation must provide a Tax ID Number, or the application will not be processed.

Limited Liability Companies:

There is no requirement for members and managers to be licensed, but an architect licensed in South Carolina must be appointed to oversee all architectural activities carried out by the LLC in South Carolina. The LLC must provide a Tax ID Number, or the application will not be processed.

Partnerships:

Partners are not required to be licensed, but a South Carolina licensed architect must be appointed to handle all architectural activities undertaken by the partnership in South Carolina. The partnership must provide a Tax ID Number, or the application will not be processed.

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Application to License Firms, Corporations, or Partnerships. Consider that the filing method is via mail.
• Agency Fee: $100
• Original Ink is not required
• Notarize is not required

Before Applying, Take In Consideration:

Domestic Applicants:

1. Identify a South Carolina licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm’s architectural activities in South Carolina.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Identify a South Carolina licensed architect, who is a full-time employee, to be in responsible charge of the firm’s architectural activities in South Carolina.
2. Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity’s home state (to be filed during the foreign qualification process). The certificate cannot be more than 30 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.

How to apply:

Domestic Applicants:

1. File entity formation documents with the South Carolina Secretary of State – Division of Business Filings.
2. File an Application to License Firms, Corporations, or Partnerships with the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners.

Foreign Applicants:

1. File foreign qualification documents with the South Carolina Secretary of State – Division of Business Filings.
2. File an Application to License Firms, Corporations, or Partnerships and the secretary of state issued foreign qualification certificate with the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners.

Must-have Attachments

• A Certificate of Authority issued by the South Carolina Secretary of State (if a foreign entity)
• South Carolina entities must provide a certificate of existence or certificate of good standing from the South Carolina Secretary of State
• List of principals, partners, corporate officers, owners, and directors including title, profession, and resident state license number
• Complete the Affidavit Section and have it signed by an officer of the firm and the architect in charge of the work performed in South Carolina.

Registration Renewal

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

• Fill out the Certificate of Authorization Renewal Form. Consider that the filing method is via mail.
• Agency Fee: $85
• Due:  By August 31 of odd-numbered years.

Must-have Attachments

• Prepare a comprehensive list of officers, partners, directors, or members within the entity. Include their respective positions in the firm, addresses, professions (if applicable), home states of registration, and, if applicable, Alabama license numbers.
• Compile a thorough roster of the voting stockholders or shareholders associated with the entity. This should include their addresses, professions (if applicable), Alabama license numbers, and the percentage of shares owned by each individual.

Amendment

• Agency Fee: $0
• Due: In case of any alterations in ownership, management, or the architect responsible for overseeing operations during the year, the change must be reported to the board within a span of 30 days.
• Original Ink is not required
• Notarize is not required
• Note: The board should be informed in writing of any alterations. Changes to address can be reported through an online process.

Reinstatement

• Fill out the COA Reinstatement Application
• Agency Fee: $100

Individual Licenses

South Carolina Architect License

First-Time Applicants

In order to apply, candidates are required to fulfill the following criteria:

• Follow the instructions: Exam requirements, instructions, and supplemental forms. Consider that the filing method is online.
• Agency Fee: $190

Reciprocal Registration

• Follow the instructions: Reciprocity requirements, instructions and supplemental forms. Consider that the filing method is online.
• Agency Fee: $190
• Note: All applicants for licensure by reciprocity must hold an NCARB Certificate

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online.
• Agency Fee: $115
• Due: By June 30 of odd-numbered years.

South Carolina Landscape Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Application for Landscape Architecture License by Exam. Consider that the filing method is via mail or online.
• Follow the Instructions and Forms for Landscape Architecture License
• Agency Fee: $50
• Notarize is required

Reciprocal Registration

• Fill out the Application for Landscape Architecture License by Reciprocity. Consider that the filing method is via mail or online.
• Follow the Instructions and Forms for Landscape Architecture License
• Agency Fee: $200
• Notarize is required

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online.
• Agency Fee: $200
• Due: By January 31 of odd-numbered years

South Carolina Landscape Architecture Certificate of Authorization

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Application for Certificate of Authorization
• Agency Fee: $200

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $400
• Due: By  January 31 of odd-numbered years

Non-State Level Architecture Firm Licenses in South Carolina

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

South Carolina Interior Design Firm License

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

South Carolina Interior Designer License

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

Register for the Architect Registration Examination

Securing an architect’s license in South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina Board of Architects.