Beginning with the 2023 Renewal Cycle, California architects must take 5 hours of coursework in Zero Net Carbon Design (ZNCD) in order to renew their license.

This 5-hour ZNCD requirement is in addition to the existing requirement of 5 hours in accessibility coursework. California architects need to complete 10 hours of coursework to renew their license in 2023: 5 hours in accessibility AND 5 hours in ZNCD.

AIA California sponsored the legislation in 2021, AB 1010, that placed the new ZNCD continuing education requirement on architects. The objective is to prepare California architects to changing building codes and standards requirements in the coming years, and changing expectations from owners on the impact their projects will have on the environment. The ZNCD continuing education requirement can help prepare California architects to be leaders in ZNCD.

Architect License Renewal

The California architect license is, at most, a 2-year license. Renewals occur in odd years, and the expiration of a license occurs on the last day of the licensee’s birth month. California architects must complete the required 10 hours of coursework in accessibility and ZNCD by the last day of their birth month in order to renew their license on time.

AIA California Providing ZNCD MCE For Free

AIA California promised the Legislature and Governor that it would provide the ZNCD coursework for the 2023 renewal cycle to all California architects for free. These courses are offered live online, and will be converted into on-demand courses sometime this year.