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Requirements
Education Overview
Applicants must be graduates of an architectural curriculum accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or from a program deemed equivalent.
Examination Overview
Applicants must pass all six divisions of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). The exam is administered by the National Council of Architect Registration Boards (NCARB).
Experience Overview
Applicants must successfully complete the experience defined in NCARB's Architectural Experience Program (AXP) before they can be licensed. The program consists of 3,740 hours spread over six experience areas.
For Additional Information
Please visit each tab –Initial License, and License (Comity) – for complete details on the Education, Examination, and Experience requirements.
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Initial License
Education Overview
Applicants must be graduates of an architectural curriculum accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
If your degree is not NAAB-accredited or is from a foreign institution, you must purchase an education evaluation to determine if it meets licensure requirements. The MN Board only accepts evaluations from Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA) – a fee-based service available from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
For details on all the above, see MN Rule 1800.1000 Subp. 5.
Examination Overview
Applicants must pass all six divisions of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). The exam is administered by the National Council of Architect Registration Boards (NCARB).
You can apply directly with NCARB to sit for the ARE if:
- You have enrolled in the Architecture Experience Program (AXP), as required in MN Rule 1800.1000 Subp. 6 (see "Experience Overview" below)
Your first step will be to establish an NCARB Record. Once your record is created, click on the “Exams” tab to do the following:
- Request and access ARE eligibility information
- Take NCARB's free practice exams
NCARB offers the ARE year-round at testing centers across the country. Once NCARB determines you are eligible, you can schedule the particular division(s) of the exam you wish to take on any available date and at any available location. Seats are on a "first come, first served" basis.
See the NCARB ARE website for more information on dates, deadlines, and fees, as well as how to retake exam divisions. This exam fee is separate from the license application fee and is set by and paid directly to NCARB.
Experience Overview
Applicants must successfully complete the experience defined in NCARB's Architectural Experience Program (AXP) before they can be licensed. The program consists of 3,740 hours spread over six experience areas. You will document your experience in your NCARB Record.
Initial License Application
After passing all sections of the ARE exam, use the online architecture license application to obtain your license. You may apply for licensure at any time after you have completed the Education, Experience and Examination requirements summarized on the Requirements tab. Follow the instructions in the online application to provide all required additional information. Incomplete applications expire six (6) months after receipt.
If you did not specify Minnesota as your jurisdiction when you first established your NCARB Record, you must do so prior to applying to the Board for licensure. Your NCARB Record includes your official transcripts (or, if applicable, your education evaluation) and your examination and experience information. It is a required part of the application process.
See the Instructions Overview for more information on how to apply online.
License Application Fee
Applicants for licensure must pay a $75 application fee for the Board to review your qualifications. This fee is payable online with a credit card as part of the online application process. If your application is approved, the Board will send you a License Fee Letter.
Licensure
To obtain your professional license once you receive the License Fee letter, you must submit a check or money order for $120 made payable to “MN Board of AELSLAGID” along with a copy of the license fee letter referenced above. At this time, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other forms of electronic payment for the license fee.
Once the Board receives your license fee, a license number will be generated, and a license card will be mailed to you. A wall certificate signed by the Board Chair and Secretary and suitable for framing will be sent to you following the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. NOTE: You are not licensed and cannot practice or hold out as licensed until the Board processes your license and issues your license number.
Regardless of when it is obtained, your license expires June 30th of every even-numbered year unless renewed.
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License (Comity)
Licensure by Comity (Reciprocity)
If you already hold a license in another jurisdiction, use the Application for Architect by Comity to apply for a license in Minnesota. Comity applications are reviewed based on the Education, Examination and Experience requirements that were in place in Minnesota at the time of your original licensure. (For example: If you were originally licensed in 1998, your credentials will be evaluated based on the education, examination and experience requirements that were in place in Minnesota in 1998).
If you do not have an NCARB Record, the application packet includes forms for providing experience, examination, and your existing licensure information.
Follow the instructions in the application to provide all required additional information. Incomplete applications expire six (6) months after receipt.
License Application Fee
Applicants for licensure by comity must pay a $75 application fee by check or money order made payable to “MN Board of AELSLAGID” for the Board to review your application. Currently, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other forms of electronic payment for the license fee.
Licensure
If your application is approved, the Board will send you a License Fee Letter. To obtain your professional license once you receive the letter, you must submit a check or money order for $120 made payable to “MN Board of AELSLAGID” along with a copy of the license fee letter referenced above. At this time, the Board is unable to accept cash, credit card, or other forms of electronic payment for the license fee.
Once the Board receives your license fee, a license number will be generated, and a license card will be mailed to you. A wall certificate signed by the Board Chair and Secretary and suitable for framing will be sent to you following the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. NOTE: You are not licensed and cannot practice or hold out as licensed until the Board processes your license and issues your license number.
Regardless of when it is obtained, your license expires June 30th of every even-numbered year unless renewed.
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Temporary Permit
What Is a Temporary Permit?
MN Rule 1800.0900, Subpart 7 and MN Statute 326.13, clause (1) define the conditions under which you may seek a temporary permit and the permit application requirements. Temporary permits are only granted to individuals who meet the requirements for application by comity/EEE in Minnesota and who demonstrate need.
A temporary permit allows a qualified individual to accept and undertake a project in the state when the time between the offer of work and the commencement of work is so short that, following the regular license application process, a license may not be approved by the Board in time.
Temporary permits are project specific. A temporary permit does not grant the individual the right to undertake (or solicit) any other project than the one listed on the permit application until full licensure is granted.
IMPORTANT! Pre-Notification to the Board When Soliciting Work in Minnesota
Please be aware that those licensed in another jurisdiction but not in Minnesota may not solicit work in Minnesota without first notifying the Board in writing. They are further required to deliver a copy of that notice to every potential client for whom they are seeking to provide services, and they must apply for licensure/certification within ten days if selected as the design professional for a project in this state. See MN Statute 326.13, clause (2) for details.
Requesting a temporary permit neither negates nor replaces this notification requirement.
Who Can Apply
Individuals licensed or certified in a jurisdiction recognized by the Board and who would otherwise qualify for licensure by comity/EEE may apply for a temporary permit, if circumstances require one and if their profession is one of the following:
- Professional Soil Scientist
- Certified Interior Designer
NOTE: Architects with no disciplinary action whose NCARB Record reflects Minnesota's licensure requirements are already expedited through the licensing process. Check your NCARB Record to confirm your status. If you hold this qualification, you may prefer to submit just the Application for Architect by Comity and forego applying for a temporary permit, as your license, if approved, could be issued in nearly the same time frame as would the temporary permit.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit BOTH the paper Application for Temporary Permit (and $120 license fee) as well as the paper Application for Architect by Comity (and $75 application fee). In the event that your application is denied, only the $120 license fee will be refunded.
About the Permit
If your temporary permit is approved, the Board will issue you a permit which you must sign and return to the Board within five days. Retain a signed copy for your records. Temporary permits expire 60 days from the date listed on the permit, or as soon as you receive your license number and license card – whichever comes first. Temporary permits cannot be renewed. As noted above, temporary permits are project specific. Holding a permit does not allow you to undertake or solicit additional projects.
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Renew
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2024-2026 Licenses Expire June 30 – Online Renewals Now Open!
ALL 2024-2026 licenses and certificates expire on June 30, 2026, regardless of when in the biennium they were issued (MN Statute 326.10 Subd. 8) unless renewed.
If you need to practice or hold out in Minnesota, renew online starting April 1, 2026.
- Know your license or certificate number and the last four digits of your ID number.
- Your ID number is the last four digits of your US Social Security number. If you don't have a US SSN, use the last four digits of the ITIN or Minnesota Tax ID number you provided to the Board.
- Gather your continuing education information for July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026 (or the date you renew, whichever comes first). See the Continuing Education Requirements to the right for more details.
- Any carryover from the last renewal will show automatically once you log in.
- Ethics hours must be earned after July 1, 2024 (and, again, prior to the date you renew).
- Have your credit card ready before starting your renewal. For security purposes, the electronic payment system will time out if you do not finish your payment transaction within a reasonable amount of time.
- For late renewals - those renewing for 2024-2026 (license or certificate last renewed through June 30, 2024) PRIOR to June 30, 2026 --OR-- those renewing for 2026-2028 (license or certificate last renewed through June 30, 2026) AFTER July 1, 2026 - a $30 late fee will be added to your total.
- A $2.50 credit card fee per license renewed, charged by the bank, will also be added to your total.
- Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted.
RENEW ONLINE
Click these links for information on RETIREMENT status and REINSTATEMENT.
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Continuing Education Requirements (PDH / CE)
- Complete 24 Professional Development Hours (PDH) per two-year cycle.
- 2 of the 24 hours must be Professional Ethics (ethics content related to the practice of the profession), Ethics must be earned in each biennium.
- CE activities must maintain or enhance professional competence.
- Retain documentation for at least 4 years in case of audit.
CE Carryover Rules
- Up to 12 PDH may be carried into the next cycle.
- Ethics hours may NOT be carried over.
- Excess PDH beyond 12 is forfeited.
CE Exemptions
Licensees may request PDH exemption with supporting documentation during a renewal cycle for:
- Board-approved exceptional circumstances
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