California Architects Board

The California Architects Board (Board) was created in 1901 by the California Legislature to fulfill the mission of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public through the regulation of the practice of architecture in California. It is one of numerous boards, bureaus, commissions, and committees within the Department of Consumer Affairs responsible for consumer protection and the regulation of licensed professionals. The Board establishes regulations for examination and licensing of the profession of architecture in California, which today numbers approximately 22,000 licensed architects and approximately 11,000 candidates who are in the process of meeting examination and licensure requirements.

NEW! - ARE Portal and Blackout

NCARB has announced there will be an ARE blackout beginning July 1, 2013, that when it ends will be followed by a new ARE Portal (My Examination) for candidates...more information

Law regarding renewals for active duty military

Assembly Bill (AB) 1588 (Chapter 742, Statutes of 2012) took effect January 1, 2013, and allows the Board to temporarily waive the renewal fees and continuing education requirements of licensees during the time period they are on active military duty. The bill adds section 114.3 to the Business and Professions Code (BPC) and was signed by Governor Brown on September 29, 2012.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MILITARY SPOUSES AND DOMESTIC PARTNERS

AB 1904 (Chapter 399, Statutes of 2012) took effect January 1, 2013, and permits an individual married to, or in a domestic partnership (or other legal union) with, an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is assigned to a duty station in California under official "active duty" military orders to receive expedited reciprocity licensing. Individuals must provide proof of the marriage or domestic partnership (or other legal union) and hold a current architect license in another state, district, or territory of the United States. The bill added section 115.5 to the BPC and was signed by Governor Brown on September 29, 2012.

Law regarding confidentiality clauses

AB 2570 (Chapter 561, Statutes of 2012) took effect January 1, 2013, and prohibits licensees from including confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements with clients. The bill adds section 143.5 to the BPC and was signed by Governor Brown on September 25, 2012.

Fall 2012 Newsletter

The fall 2012 issue of California Architects is available online...read

Release of CSE Results at Examination Sites

The Board is pleased to announce that beginning June 1, 2012, California Supplemental Examination results are provided to candidates at test sites upon completion of their examination. Previously, results were mailed to candidates approximately 30 days after the date of their examination. The Board is committed to its efforts to ensure an efficient licensure process.

CIDP NO lONGER REquired

Effective March 29, 2012, the Comprehensive Intern Development Program (CIDP) is no longer a requirement for licensure in California. The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ Intern Development Program (IDP) remains a requirement for California candidates (unless deemed exempt due to establishing candidate eligibility with the Board prior to 2005).

CIDP was originally developed and implemented as part of the Board’s structured internship requirement in 2005 as an IDP overlay program to focus on evidence-supported documentation of training and enhanced intern/supervisor interaction. Improvements to IDP, as well as enhancements made via the implementation of IDP 2.0, prompted the Board to re-evaluate the need for the continuance of CIDP last year.

At its June 16, 2011, meeting, the Board voted to discontinue CIDP. This action required codification of a regulatory amendment, which ultimately took effect March 29, 2012 with final approval by the Office of Administrative Law. This means that candidates who are in various stages of the examination/licensure process and who were previously required to complete CIDP as a condition of licensure no longer need to complete the program and submit CIDP Evidence Verification forms to the Board. Affected candidates were notified by the Board in April and those who became eligible for the California Supplemental Examination (CSE) as a result of this change were mailed an application for the CSE.

The Board has revised its website content and other materials to reflect the discontinuance of the CIDP requirement.

The Board trusts that this regulatory change is evidence of its commitment to ensure an efficient licensure process.