The Board does not send confidential documents or private information by email, fax, text, or social media. Notice of a complaint/possible disciplinary action, for instance, is by mail. Also, no staff person will ever ask you for bank account or credit card information. The only instance when you would provide credit card information is directly through the Online Renewals website (again, no staff intermediary).

If you have concerns about the validity of an email or other communication that claims to come from the Board, please call the office (651-296-2388). Ask to be connected with whomever handles the matter the email claims to be about.

Since mail is the primary means the Board communicates official information, be sure you have provided the Board your current address, as required by statute.

Send the Board office a copy of a legal name change document, and we will update your record. See Name/Address Change.

Right click on the link and click "Save Target As" or "Save As" and save it to your computer. Then open the saved file from wherever you saved it on your computer using Adobe Reader.

Always download and save PDF forms, then open them using Adobe Reader, as working on PDF forms in web browsers or using other software may result in lost data on saving or printing and other issues. Right click on the form link and click "Save Target As" or "Save As" and save the form to your computer. Then open the saved file using Adobe Reader.

One of the following may be happening:
• You might have mis-entered the 3-digit security code on the back of your credit card.
• You are paying with a company credit card but the billing address shown is your home address. Update the fields to the address associated with the card.
• You are paying with a company credit card but the card is in somebody else's name. At the payment screen, enter the cardholder's name (not your own) and the address associated with the card.
• Some company credit cards have restrictions on online payments. The issuing bank may need to lift the restrictions.

The Board’s system does not retain credit card and related information. If incorrect information is being populated, check that your browser or device is not “autofilling” the information. See for example:
• Google Chrome Autofill
• Mozilla Firefox Autofill
• Microsoft Edge Autofill
• Safari Autofill

No details related to your credit card are saved in the Board’s system. The Board does not have or hold credit card numbers. The payment screen is that of US Bank, with only a frame identifying the Board as the particular “Merchant” for which US Bank is processing the payment details.

US Bank has security that requires you to use a browser that supports something called "TLS 1." Recent versions of the most common browsers all support this by default. If you get this message, try one of the following:
• If you have more than one browser, switch to a different one, or
• Update your browser to the latest version.
In either case, you may need to wait 24 hours for the system to clear your previous renewal attempt before trying again.

Browser versions that support TLS 1.2 include Microsoft Internet Explorer 11+ and Microsoft Edge; Google Chrome 65+; Mozilla Firefox 59+; Safari 7+ (macOS only); Mobile Android 8+; Mobile Chrome 65+; Mobile Firefox 5+; Mobile Safari 11+.

If you log in and go through several of the renewal screens then back out of the system before completing the renewal, the system will lock you out for 24 hours to prevent a duplicate renewal. Wait and try again later. If you still see the same message, your browser may be retaining a "cached" version of your previous visit to the website. Try clearing your cache, using a different browser, or even using a different device/computer to be sure you are not seeing cached information.

The system will clear itself in 24 hours.  Wait, then try to log in again. Note: You may also need to clear the cookies from your browser (consult your browser's "Help"). Close any open Board website pages first. Another option is to use a different browser or even using a different device/computer, to be sure you are not seeing cached information when you try again.

First, be sure you have completed all the required questions on the current page. Look for red messages indicating missing information. If that is not the issue, try again in a couple of hours using a different web browser or see the "This Page Can't Be Displayed" FAQ above.

The system may take as long as 24 hours to clear. You may also need to clear the cookies from your browser. Close any open Board website pages first. If you get the same message (or, a "renewal in process" message), try using a different browser, or even using a different device/computer to be sure you are not seeing cached information.

Look for a message in red somewhere on the page. You may have missed a required field or a check box and the error message will tell you which one. Complete the required action, then try the "continue" again.

If you are using the same computer to renew that you did when you renewed for the previous renewal period, it is possible that the cookies have not been cleared. Try clearing the cookies for the Board's website, or try renewing using a different browser or even a different device/computer and you should be able to log in.

Make sure you have entered your complete license number or certificate number (certificate holders:  include the "C"; "C0" is "C zero") AND the last four digits of your ID number (your Social Security number, unless your provided an ITIN or MN Tax ID number to the Board). Confirm that you are using the correct license/certificate number by checking on the Licensee Lookup. Note that you cannot renew online if your license expired two or more license periods ago. See the Renewals (Overview) page for more information.

Also note that if you were licensed during the current period (have yet to ever renew) you will also receive this message until the renewal window opens.

If you still get the message, and none of the above applies to you, contact the Board office for assistance.

If you are renewing at work, log out of your company intranet and try again. Also, some companies block any online payment transactions. Contact your IT help desk to determine if payment sites are blocked.

You cannot renew your license until you have the minimum of 24 professional development hours, including 2 hours in professional ethics, completed (including any carryover from the previous renewal). Once you have completed your hours, you may renew your license. You will be required to pay a late fee if you renew after June 30. Your license will expire on June 30 if you do not have enough professional development hours. There is no grace period.

You must have 2 professional development hours dedicated to professional ethics that you obtained on or after July 1 of the current period in order to renew for the next. If you do not have ethics hours, you must obtain them before you can renew.

If you do not have enough hours prior to June 30, you may use however many PDH that you have obtained after June 30 to reach the 24 PDH needed to renew your license for the current period. Note you must then earn 24 more PDH between now and the end of the current period in order to renew for the next period. (You can't use the same PDH hours toward two different periods.)

Your exemption request must be approved by the Board before you can renew. Your request will be reviewed at the Board meeting following receipt of your request. If the next Board meeting doesn't take place until after June 30, your license will expire (you cannot practice in Minnesota). You will need to wait until after the Board makes its decision on your exemption, and then renew. You will incur a late fee when you renew.

The maximum carryover allowed from one biennium to the next is 12 PDH. Regardless of how many hours you have entered, the maximum that will apply is 12.

See the Retirement section on the Renewal Overview page.

The Board does not have an inactive status. To let your license expire, simply do not renew. You will receive a "final/expired notice" shortly after the end of the first renewal period in which your license/certificate expired, but will not receive any further mailed notice. If you signed up for Board email communications, you will need to unsubscribe yourself from that list (see the bottom of any such email).

If you are using a Mac/iPad/iPhone, we have found that the renewal report, which is a PDF file, may come up blank. Try a different system, if this occurs for you.

The Board is charged a percentage of your renewal fee(s) by the bank. This "bank fee" is passed on to users.

Send the Board office a copy of a legal name change document, and we will update your record. See Name/Address Change.

Go to Online Renewals, then select the License/Certificate Card" tab, then sign in as you would if renewing your license. You can download a copy of your card with the information current as to the day you print it. If you recently submitted a renewal application, wait 3-5 business days before expecting to see updated expiration dates. Anyone needing to verify you are currently licensed can also be directed to the Licensee Lookup.

Use the License Lookup feature. For renewals, wait 1-2 business days. The feature is not "real time." Please see the instructions on the License Lookup page for more details.

A PDH is defined as a 50–minute contact hour. For each such hour you spend in a qualifying activity, you get 1 PDH.

Licensees and certificate holders are required to have 24 PDHs, including 2 hours in ethics, by June 30 of even numbered years in order to renew their license or certificate.

CEU stands for Continuing Education Unit. A CEU is a unit of credit equal to ten hours of participation in an accredited program designed for professionals with certificates or licenses to practice various professions. One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is generally equivalent to 10 PDHs.

Yes, with certain restrictions. See Carryover on the Continuing Education page.

No. You must obtain 2 hours of ethics training during each reporting period; however, you may use the extra 2 hours toward your 12 PDH carryover allowance.

No. If you are exempt from continuing education, you cannot carry your hours over.

No. Dual licensees or certificate holders need a total of 24 PDH, included 2 hours in ethics, to renew both licenses/certificates. One-third of the hours in the first profession, one-third in the second, and one-third can be in either. See Dual Licensure on the Continuing Education page..

There are many different programs and activities that count toward the continuing education requirements such as: seminars, classes, presentations, publishing articles, etc. Please see MN Statute 326.107, Subd. 2 or Qualifying Programs and Activities for a complete list.

No. Any self-study course or publication with the answers in the same issue will not count toward continuing education.

The Board does not pre-approve courses or activities so the Board office does not have a listing of continuing education opportunities. The Board does have links to professional societies and national councils from its web site. These are good places to begin your search. You can also contact your local colleges and universities.

The Board does not pre-approve continuing education courses or activities, including ethics, so the Board office does not have a listing of ethics continuing education opportunities. The Board does have links to the professional societies and national councils. Many of these offer ethics courses (and membership is not necessarily required). As with all other continuing education activities, it is up to licensees/certificate holders to use their judgment to determine whether a particular course or activity meets the statutory requirements for continuing education.

Many organizations also require continuing education for their members and some of the organizations pre-approve courses. These requirements may be different from the State’s requirements. The Board has final discretion on whether or not a course or activity meets the State’s requirements.

The acceptance of continuing education credits by a professional society does not guarantee acceptance by the Board.

Non-work-related is the conducting of services drawing upon your professional expertise to organizations outside of your place of employment (i.e. community service, nonprofit organizations, etc.).

Report the total number of hours during the renewal window through Online Renewals or by using the paper renewal form.

See Recordkeeping on the Continuing Education page.

See Recordkeeping on the Continuing Education page.

If you are no longer practicing and no longer holding out in that profession and you let your license/certificate expire (or you retire from your profession), you do not need to obtain continuing education. However, in order to reinstate your license/certificate and return to practice, you will need to obtain up to 48 PDH (depending on how long your license was expired/retired) in the 4 years immediately prior to reinstatement, including up to 4 PDH in professional ethics. See Reinstatement.

Note that Minnesota Board does not have an “inactive” status. In order to continue to practice OR through use of your credential imply you are currently licened/certified in Minnesota, you will need to renew your license/certificate every two years and comply with the continuing education requirements. If you have retired, inform the Board in writing. Then you may continue to use your professional title preceded by the term “retired” (i.e. John Doe, Retired Architect), but you may not practice.

Yes, in order to reinstate your license or certificate you will need to do everything you would have done had you kept your license/certificate current during the time of your lapse (i.e. pay all back fees, late fees, and provide proof of continuing education). You will need to report up to 48 hours of continuing education, including up to 4 hours of ethics, depending on how many years your license has lapsed.

See Exemption section on the Continuing Education page.

If you are selected for audit, the Board will contact you by mail and ask you to submit supporting documentation of your reported continuing education activities.