Welcome To The California Architects Boards
Home Licensees License Renewals

License Renewals

California architect licenses expire at midnight on the last day of the licensee's birth month in odd-numbered years and must be renewed every two years.

Architects may renew their license by:

Renewing on time is critical. Renewal notices are sent to the licensee's address of record approximately 60 days prior to the expiration date. Architects may not submit a renewal application and payment more than 60 days before their current license period ends. If a licensee does not receive the renewal notice within 60 days of their license expiration date, they may renew by mailing a completed renewal application, and a check for the appropriate renewal fee made payable to the California Architects Board.

Please allow eight or more weeks for processing. The most frequent cause of delay in renewal processing is an incomplete renewal application. Be sure that the renewal application is complete and that all of the questions are answered.

Effective Date of License Renewal

Business and Professions Code section 121 stipulates that licensees who have complied with the license renewal requirements (e.g., complete coursework provider documentation, correct fee, required signature(s), etc.) prior to its expiration may engage in legal practice of their profession until receipt of the renewed license if the delay was not the fault of the licensee (note: this provision does not apply to delinquent or incomplete renewal applications).

Delinquent License

An expired license that is not renewed within 30 days after the expiration date becomes delinquent. A delinquent license is subject to a delinquency fee.

Pursuant to Business and Professions Code sections 5536 and 5536.1, it is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment to practice architecture or call oneself an architect in this state unless you possess a current and valid California architect license. Practicing with an expired license (even if it is less than 30 days since the license expired) is illegal and is subject to disciplinary action.

Cancellation

A license that is not renewed within five years after it has expired becomes cancelled. A cancelled license cannot be renewed, restored, reissued, or reinstated. Individuals whose license has been canceled must apply for a new license.

The Board notifies licensees by certified mail 90 days prior to the five-year expiration date, indicating that the license is approaching the end of the five-year period. This notification is mailed to the licensee's address of record. It is the licensee's responsibility to notify the Board of any address change.

Family Support

State agencies are prohibited from issuing or renewing the professional or vocational licenses of "support debtors" (those who are more than 30 days late in making periodic payments on a support arrearage, or in making periodic payments on a reimbursement for public assistance, as set forth in a judgment or order for support).

The State Department of Social Services (DSS) consolidates the lists prepared by the local district attorneys and distributes the lists to specified licensing agencies. This law affects almost anyone who is issued a California professional or vocational license.

The Board is unable to issue or renew the licenses of support debtors. If the Board receives information that an applicant is noncompliant with an order for support, only a temporary 150-day license is issued. Those who are issued a 150-day temporary license are notified and given an opportunity for review by the district attorney. Upon compliance with the order for support, a release is issued by the district attorney and a license is issued for the remainder of the license term. If after 150 days, a release has not been issued by the district attorney, the temporary license expires and cannot be renewed. The renewal funds paid by the applicant are non refundable.