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

To secure an architect’s license in West Virginia, you must initially undertake a professional degree in architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Often, this means finishing a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), a five-year program, or a two-year Master of Architecture (M.Arch) course. Post degree completion, hands-on practical experience must be accumulated through participation in an internship or apprenticeship program. The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) stipulates a minimum of 3,740 hours of such professional experience, which is commonly completed over three years.

Upon satisfying the educational prerequisites and practical experience requirements, the next step is to pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE), an exam composed of six divisions assessing your understanding and proficiency in different facets of architecture, encompassing building systems, construction documents, and site planning. All six divisions must be cleared within a span of five years to qualify for licensure.

Following the successful completion of the ARE, an application for licensure must be submitted to the West Virginia Board of Architects, inclusive of an application fee and documentary evidence of your education, professional experience, and exam scores. An additional requirement may include a background check and submission of references.

Once your application secures approval, you will be granted a license to practice architecture within the state of West Virginia. To maintain this license, it must be renewed biennially, accompanied by the fulfillment of continuing education requirements.

How Do I Take The Architect Registration Examination In West Virginia?

Individual Licenses

West Virginia Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $400 application fee if going through NCARB. No exam fee.

Reciprocal Registration

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: The initial filing fee is $100. Upon approval by the board, the remaining fee of $300 is payable.

How to Apply

Steps for Architects with an NCARB Certificate

1. Request the transmission of your NCARB certificate to West Virginia.
2. Proceed with the online process for Reciprocal Registration with an NCARB Certificate.
3. Pay the appropriate fees via the online system to the West Virginia Board of Architects. The Reciprocal Registration fee is $400.
4. Familiarize yourself with the rules and laws governing architectural practice in West Virginia by visiting the Rules and Laws page.

Instructions for Architects with a Certificate from Another Jurisdiction

1. Submit the online Reciprocal Application with a State License along with an application fee of $100.00, payable to the West Virginia Board of Architects.
2. Request the Board of Architects in your jurisdiction to send a verification of your state license, including confirmation of passage of the Architect Registration Exam (ARE), to the West Virginia Board.
3. Use the online registration portal to request three other architects, who are familiar with your work but not part of your firm, to send letters of reference directly to the West Virginia Board of Architects.
4. All applicants should review the rules and laws governing architectural practice in West Virginia by visiting the Rules and Laws page to assess their eligibility.

Registration Renewal

• Fill out the Renewal Form
• Submission method: via mail
• Agency Fee: $75
• Due: Annually by June 30.
• Penalties: The fee is $150 if it’s received within six months of the annual renewal date.

West Virginia Landscape Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Application for Registration as a Landscape Architect
• Agency Fee: $100

Registration Renewal

• Agency Fee: $100
• Due: Annually by June 30.

Non-State Level Architecture Firm Licenses in West Virginia

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

West Virginia Architecture Firm License

Licensure for architecture firms is not mandated at the state level in West Virginia.

While there is no issuance of firm licenses at the state level, all architectural work must be supervised by a licensed individual. It’s recommended that firms review board rules and state statutes before conducting business.

Registration for architectural firms takes place with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office or the West Virginia Tax Department. A firm must have at least one architect registered in the State of West Virginia to be eligible to register with the Tax Department.

Firms can assert their eligibility to register with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s by completing the Secretary of State’s “Verification of Eligibility” form​ and sending it to the Board of Architects for verification. Once confirmed, it should be submitted to the Secretary of State’s office.

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

• Business Corporations: although officers and directors aren’t required to be licensed, any architectural practice in West Virginia by the firm must be conducted by licensed architects.
• Professional Corporations: members and managers aren’t required to be licensed, but any architectural practice in West Virginia by the firm must be conducted by licensed architects.
• Professional Limited Liability Companies: all members of a PLLC must be licensed in a professional service provided by the firm.
• Partnerships: partners aren’t required to be licensed, but any architectural practice in West Virginia by the firm must be conducted by licensed architects.

West Virginia Interior Design Firm License

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

West Virginia Interior Designer License

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

Register for the Architect Registration Examination

Securing an architect’s license in West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia State Board of Landscape Architects