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

To become a licensed architect in Utah, you must earn a professional degree in architecture from a NAAB-accredited program, typically a five-year B.Arch or a two-year M.Arch program. Following your education, you need to acquire a minimum of 3,740 hours of experience through an internship or apprenticeship under a licensed architect. This practical experience must be coupled with passing the six divisions of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) administered by NCARB within five years. Subsequently, you apply for licensure with the Utah DOPL by submitting an application, payment, and required documents, including your education, experience, and exam scores. You also have to pass a Utah-specific architecture law and regulation exam. After these steps, you will receive your license to practice architecture in Utah, which requires renewal every two years and fulfillment of continuing education requirements.

How Do I Take The Architect Registration Examination In Utah?

Individual Licenses

Utah Architect License

• Hold a current NCARB Certification, which should be transmitted to Utah upon request, OR
• Have graduated from an accredited NAAB or CACB program.
• Passed all divisions of the Architect Registration Exam (ARE).
• Completed all required AXP experience hours, which must be tracked by NCARB.

First-Time Applicants

• Submission method: online or via mail
• Agency Fee: A non-refundable application-processing fee of $121, payable to “DOPL”. No exam fee.

How to Apply

Required Attachments for All Applicants:

1. $121.00 non-refundable application processing fee, made payable to “DOPL”.
2. Supporting documentation for any “yes” responses on the “Qualifying Questionnaire”.

For Applicants with a Current NCARB Council Record:

1. Request NCARB to send your current Council Record to Utah.

For Applicants without a NCARB Council Record:

1. Verification of meeting educational requirements, either by official transcripts from an NAAB or CACB accredited program or a “Comprehensive Evaluation” from EESA for foreign-educated applicants.
2. If you’ve practiced as a principal architect for 5 of the last 7 years in another state, submit the “Verification of Architectural Experience as a Principal” form and verification of your license from the state(s) where you practiced.

Verification of Exam Requirements:

1. Proof of passing all divisions of the ARE, either taken in Utah or in another state (requires verification of scores sent from that state to Utah).

Additionally, provide one of the following:

1. Verification of licensure in another state.
2. Verification of completion of AXP (Formerly IDP)

Reciprocal Registration

• Submission method: online or via mail
• Agency Fee: A non-refundable application-processing fee of $121, payable to “DOPL”.

Must-have Attachments

1. Supporting documents for any “yes” responses on the “Qualifying Questionnaire”.
2. Official verification showing active licensure in good standing for at least one year, from a jurisdiction deemed equivalent to Utah by the Division. Visit the official website for a list of approved states.
3. If your state isn’t deemed equivalent for endorsement purposes, you may be allowed to use experience obtained outside of Utah to meet the initial licensure requirements.

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $74
• Due: By May 31 of even-numbered years.

Utah Commercial Interior Designer Certification

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Certified Interior Designer Application 
• Agency Fee:  $70

Registration Renewal

• Fill out the Certified Commercial Interior Design Renewal Form
• Agency Fee: $47
• Due: By March 31 of odd-numbered years.

Utah Landscape Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Landscape Architect Application 
• Agency Fee:  $120

Registration Renewal

• Fill out the Landscape Architect Renewal. Consider that the filing method is via mail or online.
• Agency Fee: $73
• Due: By May 31 of even-numbered years.

Non-State Level Architecture Firm Licenses in Utah

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

Utah Architecture Firm License

In Utah, there’s no requirement for state-level licensure for architecture firms. While there’s no firm-specific license, architectural work must still be supervised by a licensed individual. It’s advisable for firms to review board rules and state statutes before conducting business in Utah.

For more details, consult the Utah Department of Commerce – Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.

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

• Business Corporations:
• Officers and directors of the corporation do not need to be licensed architects, but the firm must have a licensed architect serving as a principal who oversees the practice of architecture in Utah.
• Professional Corporations:
• In professional corporations, all shareholders, officers, and directors must be licensed in a professional service provided by the firm.
• Limited Liability Companies:
• For limited liability companies, members and managers do not need to be licensed architects, but the firm must have a licensed architect serving as a principal who oversees the practice of architecture in Utah.
• Professional Limited Liability Companies:
• In professional limited liability companies, all members and managers must be licensed in a professional service provided by the firm.
• Partnerships:
• Partners in partnerships do not need to be licensed architects, but the firm must have a licensed architect serving as a principal who oversees the practice of architecture in Utah.

Utah Interior Design Firm License

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

Utah Landscape Architecture Firm License

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

Register for the Architect Registration Examination

Securing an architect’s license in Utah 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 Utah 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 Utah 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 Utah Division of Professional Licensing