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Name/Address Changes
Refer to the directions below if you need to update your personal information including changes to your name, mailing address, phone number, or email address. Please note: due to MN data practices and privacy acts, ALL requests must come directly from the applicant, licensee, or certificate holder. Requests from administrative assistants, family members, licensing coordinators, or anyone else will be returned.
Name Change
Each applicant, licensee, or certificate holder shall provide the board in writing of a legal name change within 30 days of any change in name. Please email your name change request to aelslagid@state.mn.us with the subject "Name Change" and your license or certificate number. Board staff will make the update and email a confirmation to you.
You must include a copy of your legal name change documentation such as:
- a marriage certificate (it must list both the former and current name);
- the pertinent section of divorce decree (you do not need to provide the full decree); or
- an Order Granting Name Change (court issued order).
Name changes cannot be made without legal documentation. You are required to provide the Board with your full legal name, including middle name.
Mailing Address Change
You must notify the Board within 30 days in writing of a change to your public mailing address (the address you provided the Board for your record). Note you must provide a physical address; post office boxes are not acceptable.
Submit only changes to your public address. For example, if you submitted your home address as your public mailing address and you change jobs, you do not need to inform the Board of your new business address unless you would like the business address to become your public mailing address.
During renewals, simply update your address when you renew online. Outside of renewals, please email your address change to aelslagid@state.mn.us, with the subject "Address Change" and your license or certificate number. Board staff will make the update and email a confirmation to you.
Phone Number or Email Address Change
Please email aelslagid@state.mn.us with any changes to your phone number or email address on record. Board staff will make the update(s) and email a confirmation to you.
Subscribe to the Board’s eNews
By subscribing to the Board’s eNews, you will receive renewal notices and other important updates from the Board in a timely manner, delivered directly to your inbox. -
Status Changes / Stamps
Refer to the directions below if you need to update your status with the Board. Please note: due to MN data practices and privacy acts, ALL requests must come directly from the licensee or certificate holder. Requests from administrative assistants, family members, licensing coordinators, or anyone else will be returned.
Check Your Status
Use License Lookup to check your current status and confirm if a renewal or status change has posted. You can also find an explanation of the various license statuses.
Retirement
Only current licensees or certificate holders who are – or will be – retiring from their profession prior to the June 30 renewal deadline and do not wish to renew their license may request to be listed as "Retired" rather than "Expired" on the Board's roster. There is no fee associated with this request. To submit such a request, please email aelslagid@state.mn.us – be sure to include your name, license or certificate number, and the effective date of your retirement (which must be on or prior to the June 30 expiration of your license or certificate). Once the status change is processed, you will receive an acknowledgement email from the Board.
You may continue to use your professional title, preceded by the term "Retired" (i.e., John Doe, Retired Architect), but you may not practice or do anything that requires a current license. This requirement is described in Minnesota Statute 326.02 Subd. 1. Should you need to become licensed once again, please see the section below on Reinstatement.
Reinstatement
If your license or certificate expired June 30, 2022, or earlier, please email aelslagid@state.mn.us to request instructions for reinstatement.
After receiving your information, the Board will send you a reinstatement form customized with your particular fees and continuing education requirements. Reinstatement requirements are described in MN Statute 326.10, Subd. 9.
Stamps, Seals, and Certification Language
The certification and signature on plans, specifications, plats, reports, etc., is mandatory, as provided by MN Statute 326.12 subdivision 3 (2024) and MN Rule 1800.4200 (2023). Refer to the statute and rule for specific certified signature requirements.
Stamp Language
The examples linked below illustrate how the required certification language and signature can be presented for inclusion on documents. The size of the text and spacing of lines may be varied to suit individual needs. Licensees may choose to create a rubber stamp/seal or simply print the language directly on documents and then sign. A seal is not required. The statutes and rules of the Board do not address or prohibit the use of a seal in addition to the required certification language. The wording included in this document must be incorporated in the certification.
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Verifications
Print a Verification License or Certificate Card (PDF)
- Log into Online Renewal Services, select the “License/Certificate Card” tab, login using your license or certificate number and the last four digits of your ID number (usually your SSN, ITIN or MN tax ID), and download or print a PDF copy of your license card.
- After a successful renewal, please allow 2-3 business days for the card to reflect an updated expiration date.
Verifications of Examination, Licensure, or Certification
Please carefully read and complete the following steps when requesting that Minnesota send verification of your exams, licensure, or certification to another state board.
Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geology, Soil Science, and Interior Design – (Paper Verifications)
- Obtain a Verification of Examination or Licensure Form from the state Board which you would like verification to be sent. Complete and sign any applicable portions of the form.
- Send the verification form along with an addressed, stamped envelope requesting completion of the other Board's verification form. Mail these two items to:
MN Board of AELSLAGID
85 E 7th Place, Suite 160
St. Paul, MN 55101-2113PLEASE NOTE: Verification forms cannot be emailed or faxed due to the Minnesota Data Practices Act, which protects private data. The Minnesota Board does not charge a fee for verification. Your request will be processed within ten business days of receipt and the completed form will be mailed to the appropriate state using the addressed, stamped envelope you provided.
Professional Engineer or Land Surveyor Licensure, or FE, PE, FS or PS Exam Verifications – (Electronic Verifications)
- Log into your MyNCEES account (or create one if you do not have one) at: http://account.ncees.org/.
- Once you have logged in, click on "License Verification" from the "Common Tasks" shown on the dashboard screen.
- "Request Verification" from Minnesota.
- Select the state to which you want the verification sent. If that state is not listed, then it is not yet participating in electronic verification. Follow the instructions above for paper verifications.
Note: In order to submit an electronic verification request, you do not need an NCEES Record (which does have a cost). A basic “myNCEES” account is free. Your request will be processed within ten business days of receipt.
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Military Service
Active, Recently Active, Veterans and Spouses
Certain services related to licensure and certification are available to active and recently active members of the armed services, veterans and spouses.Examination Reimbursement
Who Qualifies
Veterans that meet Veterans Administration (VA) criteria.
What Is Offered
If approved, the VA pays for exam fees up to $2,000 for each exam taken. There is no limit to the number of exams you may take nor the number of times you may take the same exam. The VA will pay for an exam whether or not you pass.
How to Request It
Apply through the VA website/Montgomery GI Bill (Form VBA-022-0803). Please contact the MN Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-546-5838 or your county's veteran service officer for more information. (This benefit is not administered through the Board; you must directly contact one of the sources above).
Expedited Licensing
Who Qualifies
An active-duty military member; the spouse of an active-duty military member; or a veteran who has left service in the two years preceding the date of license or certificate application and has confirmation of an honorable or general discharge status.
What Is Offered
Such applications are given expedited processing and review by staff and Board members.
How to Request It
Simply check the "Yes" box for military service question on the relevant application form. See MN Statute 197.4552 Subd. 1 for information on expedited processing.
Temporary Permit
Who Qualifies
An active-duty military member; the spouse of an active-duty military member; or a veteran who has left service in the two years preceding the date of license or certificate application and has confirmation of an honorable or general discharge status. The individual must also hold a current, valid license or certificate in another state without history of disciplinary action and no criminal history that under the Board's normal licensure application review would adversely affect the applicant's ability to become licensed.
What Is Offered
Qualified applicants receive an expedited temporary permit valid for up to six months. Applicants must complete the full application within that six-month window.
How to Request It
Follow the instructions provided in the application form. See MN Statute 197.4552 Subd. 2, MN Statute 326.10 Subd. 10 and MN Rule 1800.0450 for complete information regarding temporary licenses and certificates.
Continuing Education Exemption
Who Qualifies
Those called to active duty in the military services for a period of time exceeding 120 consecutive days. If you don't fit the above but have other extenuating circumstances, you may qualify under the hardship provision. See the Continuing Education Exceptions page. The request will be reviewed by the Board and where such circumstances restrict compliance with the continuing education requirements, as supported by documentation furnished to the Board, the Board may approve an exemption.
What Is Offered
If your service restricted your compliance with the continuing education requirements, the requirements may be waived (see MN Statute 326.107 Subd. 4).
How to Request It
Note: If you need to apply for exemption, you must make that request before you send in your renewal. Complete the Continuing Education Exemption Request Form and submit supporting documentation. See the form for instructions.
Renewal Fee Exemption
Who Qualifies
Active members of the armed services or those within six months of their release from active duty.
What Is Offered
Qualifying armed services members are exempt from paying renewal fees (see MN Statute 326.56) and need not take action to renew during their qualifying period – with no penalty, or loss of licensure or certification.
How to Request It
If you need to request exemption from the continuing education requirement, complete that process first. See the Continuing Education Exemption Request Form.
To renew:
- If the renewal period for which you are requesting exemption is the current period, request the print (PDF) version of the renewal form from the Board office; you cannot renew using the "Online Services" option. Check the "Yes" box related to military service on the renewal form. Enclose some type of evidence that you qualify for this benefit. Do not submit any fees.
- If your service extended into more than one renewal period (for example, from 2024-2027 and so you need both 2024-2026 and 2026-2028 exempted) you would request reinstatement rather than renewal. Follow the reinstatement procedure and identify yourself as a qualifying armed forces member.
Veterans and Servicemembers Guide
Veterans and Servicemembers: A Guide for Military Service Personnel and Veterans, published by the Office of the State Attorney General, summarizes several laws and rights available to you as a veteran, service member, or their dependent. These include Federal Acts, Minnesota State Laws, Credit Laws, and more.