California Architects Board

Welcome to the California Architects Board

The California Architects Board protects consumers by establishing standards for professional qualifications, ensuring competence through examinations, setting practice standards, and enforcing the Architects Practice Act.

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News

Paperless Licensure Starts July 1, 2026

Historically, CAB mailed paper wall licenses and pocket receipts (also known as wallet licenses) to architects when they were first licensed and again at renewal. CAB is now moving to a fully paperless licensing system to help reduce environmental impacts and modernize state services.

As of January 1, 2025, architects renew their licenses online through the CAB Connect portal. CAB no longer mails the traditional 8.5"x14" renewal notices. Instead, architects receive a postcard directing them to renew online.

Beginning July 1, 2026, architects will no longer receive any paper license documents. CAB will continue to mail the Architect Wall Certificate when someone is first licensed in California.

CAB recently notified California planning agencies that they may verify current licensure status via the Department of Consumer Affairs’ (DCA) DCA Search license verification tool, which is updated in real-time. Architects will also be able generate and electronically send a copy of their license details to their local planning agency.

Candidate Testing Eligibility Changes Effective October 1, 2025

On October 1, 2025, candidates who seek a California architect license may receive testing authorization eligibility for the NCARB Architect Registration Examination (ARE) or the CAB California Supplemental Examination (CSE) without the need to first document architectural training and educational experience as was previously required under the regulations.

Candidates who seek an initial (first or base) architect license must establish an NCARB Record and then submit an Application for Eligibility Evaluation through our online application portal, Connect to start the testing process.

Architects who are licensed in another United States jurisdiction and who seek a California license would submit the Reciprocity Application through Connect to start their licensure process.

CAB will review previously submitted applications from candidates to determine eligibility under the revised regulations and will contact candidates via Connect or direct email. We ask for your patience while we conduct the review process.

Please be advised that candidates must still ultimately document the required eight years of training and educational experience and meet the other licensure requirements to receive a California architect license. However, now candidates can acquire their experience while testing.

Informational Bulletin: Most Common Violations of the Architects Practice Act

The Board's Enforcement Unit investigates as many as 500 complaints per year alleging violations of the Architects Practice Act. The most common violations are detailed in this document.

Published: June 4, 2025

Quick Hits

Quarterly Licensing Data

Starting in Fiscal Year 2022 DCA now reports Licensing Performance Measures (LPM) data on a quarterly basis for all active DCA entities. LPM performance is measured using the average application processing times for the application type reported.

AB 2138 Data

Data is provided in compliance with Business and Professions Code sections 480(g)(2) and 480(g)(3), which require all boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs to annually report information on applicants with criminal histories.

Military Resources

Information for members of the United States Armed Forces and their families. We are committed to assisting California’s United States Armed Forces members and their families.