Obtaining your license is a big step in your career. The process is demanding but the payoff gives you a competitive edge and the power to create your own future. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
From receiving a NAAB-accredited architecture degree or meeting the jurisdiction experience requirement, to gaining and documenting required experience through hourly reporting or the portfolio method (AXP), to passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and the California Supplemental Examination, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), in partnership with the California Architects Board (CAB), provide guidelines to reach this important licensure milestone in the State of California.
- Provide verification of NAAB-accredited education equivalents
- Successful completion of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE)
- Completion of the Architectural Experience Program (AXP)
- Successful completion of the California Supplemental Examination (CSE)
Why Licensure Matters
The reasons to earn a license to practice architecture are as varied and personal as the path to get there—here are just a few benefits of licensure:
Title: Once you’ve earned a license, you can officially call yourself an architect.
Trust: Your license gives firms, clients, and the public confidence in your skills and ability to protect their health, safety, and welfare.
Skills: Completing your education, experience, and examination requirements helps guide you through continuing your professional growth and development.
Advancement: Having a license provides you with greater career opportunities.