Quick hits
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.
Renewing on time is critical so renew early. Renewal notices are sent to the licensee's address of record approximately 60 days prior to the expiration date. If a licensee fails to receive the renewal notice, they may renew their license by mailing a cover letter, a License Renewal Disclosure Statement, and a check for $200 (if submitted before the deliquency deadline) made payable to the California Architects Board. Please allow six to eight weeks for processing and be sure to include your current address on the cover letter.
The most frequent cause of delay in renewal processing is an incomplete renewal application. Be sure to double-check that the renewal form is complete, and that the question regarding the conviction of a crime or discipline by another public agency on the License Renewal Disclosure Statement is answered.
Delinquent License
A license that is not renewed within 30 days after the expiration date is delinquent.
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 your California architect license is current and valid.
Cancellation
A license that is not renewed within five years after its expiration date is cancelled. A cancelled license cannot be renewed, restored, reissued, or reinstated.
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.
Social Security Number
While a Social Security number may not be required in order to legally work in California, it is required to obtain and maintain a professional license.
Collection of the Social Security number is authorized by section 30 of the Business and Professions Code and Public Law 94-455 [42 U.S.C.A. 405 (c)(2)(C)]. The Social Security number is used exclusively for tax enforcement purposes, for purposes of compliance with any judgment or order for family support in accordance with Family Code section 17520 or for verification of licensure or examination status by a licensing or examination entity which utilizes a national examination and where licensure is reciprocal with the requesting state.
Section 30 prohibits the Board from processing any application for original license or for renewal of a license unless the applicant provides their Social Security number where requested on the application.
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 nonrefundable.