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Renewing a License

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Expiration and Renewal Information

California architect licenses issued prior to January 1, 2025, expire at midnight every two years on the last day of the birth month. Licenses issued after this date expire at midnight every two years on the last day of the month in which the license was issued by CAB.

Architects are encouraged to renew their license online using our application portal, Connect. The renewal fee is $400 plus a nominal service fee. CAB has developed instructions for online renewal to assist architects in setting up a Connect account and renewing their license.

A license that has been delinquent for more than two years cannot be renewed using Connect. Additionally, licenses that are nonrenewable, suspended, revoked, or have an administrative hold because of continuing education or disciplinary action are also unable to be renewed using Connect. Architects in these situations should request a renewal application by sending us a message.

Architects are required to complete continuing education (CE) coursework on disability access requirements and zero net carbon design within the previous renewal cycle for timely renewals. An architect who renews a delinquent license must complete the CE within the prior two years (24 months) as mandated by Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 5600.05 and California Code of Regulations sections 165 and 166.

Renewing on-time is critical. Renewal postcards are mailed to a licensee's address of record approximately 90 days prior to the license expiration date. An architect who does not receive the renewal notice within 45 days of their license expiration date should contact our office. The most often cause of not receiving a renewal postcard is an out-of-date address of record filed with CAB.

A licensee who has submitted a complete license renewal application prior to the expiration of the license may continue to engage in legal practice of the profession until receipt of the renewal license if the delay was not the fault of the licensee (BPC section 121). The safe harbor provision of BPC section 121 does not apply if the renewal application is untimely or incomplete.

Renewal Effective Date

Licenses renewed timely become effective on the first day of the month immediately following the license expiration date. For instance, a license that expires on July 31, 2025, and is renewed timely, the license renewal would become effective on August 1, 2025. This does not apply to delinquent or incomplete renewal applications.

Waiver for Active Duty Military Licensees

CAB will waive the renewal fees, continuing education requirements, and other renewal requirements for any licensee who is called to active duty as a member of the United States Armed Forces or the California National Guard, if certain conditions are met.

Licensees eligible for this temporary waiver must meet the following requirements:

  • Possess a current and valid license when called to active duty; and
  • Provide written documentation that substantiates the licensee's call to active duty.

Renewal requirements are only waived for the period the licensee is serving on active duty. Licensees must provide the Board with a notice of discharge date within 60 days of receipt.

Private practice of architecture is prohibited under the waiver. A licensee may not return to private practice until after they have complied with renewal requirements.