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How does someone become a
Licensed Architect in the State of New Jersey?
Pursuant to Board
statutes and
regulations, the New Jersey State Board of Architects issues licenses to those individuals who are 18 years of age or older, of good moral character and who have fulfilled the education, experience and examination requirements.
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What are the educational requirements?
Applicants must have a baccalaureate or master's degree in architecture from a university, college or technical school whose degree program has been accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (N.A.A.B.), or have completed education that the Board deems to be equivalent to an accredited full program in architecture.
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What if I am an applicant with a degree from a foreign college or university not accredited by the N.A.A.B.?
An applicant with a foreign degree from a college or university that is not accredited by the N.A.A.B. shall obtain, at his or her own expense, and which shall be acceptable to the Board, either: "A detailed evaluation by Education Credential Evaluators, Inc., or other evaluation services recognized by the Board certifying that the degree is equivalent in level, scope and intent of a bachelor or a master degree of architecture that would be accredited in the United States",; or "If the detailed evaluation does not certify equivalency, a comprehensive evaluation outlining specific academic deficiencies. The application will not be considered until those academic requirements are completed."
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What are the experience requirements?
An applicant shall have fulfilled the experience requirements if he or she has completed at least three (3) years (not less than 36 calendar months) in the Architectural Experience Program (A.X.P.), formerly known as the Intern Development Program (I.D.P.), which is administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (N.C.A.R.B.).
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Can an applicant take the Architect Registration Exam (A.R.E.) before completing A.X.P.?
Unfortunately, "No." In the State of New Jersey an applicant must first complete Architectural Experience Program (A.X.P.) before he or she can apply, and get approval to begin taking the Architectural Registration Exam (A.R.E.).
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What if I am currently licensed to practice architecture in another jurisdiction of the United States of America?
In the State of New Jersey applying under this method is called "Licensing by Credentials."
(a) Any person registered or licensed to practice architecture in another jurisdiction of the United States or one of its territories or possessions may be granted registration provided that:
- The applicant is 18 or more years of age and of good moral character, as established by references from individuals, schools, and other sources acceptable by the Board;
- The applicant is not charged by the New Jersey State Board of Architects or any other jurisdiction with a violation of any statute or regulation relating to the practice of architecture or any violation which would indicate a lack of good moral character as required by the statute and regulation; or having been found guilty of a violation, has not satisfied the penalty imposed;
- The education, training and examination requirements in such other jurisdiction are substantially equal to those required in this State, under current law; and
- The applicant has provided satisfactory evidence of competency as the Board, in its discretion, may require including but not limited to: i. Exhibits of three (3) architectural projects illustrated in construction documents and photographs; ii. Oral examination by the Board; and/or iii. Satisfactory completion of such portions(s) of the Architect Registration Exam (A.R.E.) as the Board may deem necessary.
(b) In cases where the applicant has been granted a registration or a license in another United States jurisdiction on the basis of education, training and examination requirements that are not substantially equal to those required in this State, the applicant may be granted a license if the applicant can demonstrate that he or she possesses the education, training and examination requirements as set forth in
N.J.A.C. 13:27-4.1, or their substantial equivalents.
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Can a Professional Engineer licensed in the State of New Jersey become an Licensed Architect?
"Yes." Any Professional Engineer who is duly licensed to practice professional engineering in this State, provided that he or she has a college degree in an engineering program or curriculum of four (4) years or more, shall be entitled to be licensed to engage in the practice of architecture in this State , upon application therefor to the Board and upon satisfactorily passing the parts pertaining to site and building design of the examination regularly conducted by the Board pursuant to R.S. 45:3-5 for applicants for registration to practice architecture.
(Pursuant to N.C.A.R.B. changing the format of the Architect Registration Exam (A.R.E.) in 2008, the New Jersey State Board of Architects in accordance to
N.J.A.C. 13:27-4.3(a) and (b) requires all applicants/candidates to successfully pass all divisions of the Architect Registration Exam (A.R.E.).
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Does my business, company, corporation or firm have to be registered with the Board?
"Yes." Upon review and approval by the Board of a completed Certificate of Authorization (C.O.A.) application, the Board shall issue a C.O.A. to a Limited Liability Company (L.L.C.) or a Corporation, other than a Professional Service Corporation established pursuant to the "Professional Service Corporation Act." (P.L. 1969, c.232 (N.J.S.A. 14A:17-1
etseq.)), if the L.L.C. or corporation meets the following requirements:
- At least two-thirds (2/3) of the L.L.C'.s or corporation's directors are Licensed Architects and at least two-thirds (2/3) of the ownership interest is owned by Licensed Architects; or
- At least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors are Licensed Architects and closely allied professionals, at least one director is a licensed architect, at least two-thirds (2/3) of the ownership interest is owned by licensed architects or closely allied professionals, and a minimum of 20 percent of the shares are owned by Licensed Architects.
You may download the C.O.A. application and instructions
here.
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If my business, company, corporation, or firm wants to offer engineering and/or landscape architecture services do I need to obtain Certificates of Authorization for all three (3) professional disciplines?
"Yes." You would be required to obtain a Certificate of Authorization from the New Jersey State Board of Architects to offer the services of architecture; a second one from the New Jersey State Board of Architects to offer the services of landscape architecture and a third one from the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors to offer the services of engineering.
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How many continuing education (C.E.) hours are required for license renewal?
An architect is required to complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal period. At least 16 C.E. hours shall be obtained from courses or programs within the definition of health, safety and welfare pursuant to
N.J.A.C. 13:27-3.1. The remaining C.E. hours shall be in educational activities that are directly related to the practice of architecture.
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Can I place my architectural license on "inactive" status?
"Yes." A Licensed Architect has the option of either active or inactive status. A licensee electing inactive status shall not hold himself or herself out as an architect and cannot practice architecture in the State of New Jersey.
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If I inadvertently let my license lapse, what are the requirements for reinstatement?
The licensee is required to complete the
reinstatement application,
pay a reinstatement fee and all delinquent biennial renewal fees as well as provide the Board with documentation that he or she has completed the continuing education hours required for each biennial period of licensure not active.
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How do I change my address with the Board?
A Licensed Architect shall notify the Board in writing of any change from the address currently registered with the Board and shown on the most recently issued certificate within 30 days of the effective date of that change. Failure to notify the Board in a timely manner of any change of address may result in disciplinary action.
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What are the fees involved for an active licensee?
- Initial Application Fee ........ $50.00
- Initial License Fee ........ $160.00
(If paid during the first year of a biennial renewal period)
- Initial License Fee ........ $80.00
(If paid during the second year of a biennial renewal period)
- License by Credentials Application Fee ........ $75.00
(Plus initial license fee)
- Replacement or Duplicate Seal Press Fee ........ $40.00
- Replacement Certificate Fee ........ $25.00
- Biennial Renewal Fee ........ $160.00
- Late Fee ........ $50.00
- Verification of Licensure Fee ........ $30.00
- Reinstatement Application Fee ........ $100.00
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What are the fees involved in registering a business for a Certificate of Authorization?
- Application Fee ........ $100.00
- Initial License Fee ........ $500.00
(If paid during the first year of a biennial renewal period)
- Initial License Fee ........ $250.00
(If paid during the first year of a biennial renewal period)
- Biennial Renewal Fee ........ $500.00
- Late Fee ........ $50.00
- Reinstatement Application Fee ........ $300.00