Renewing a License

Expiration and Renewal Information

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. You are encouraged to renew your license online, and the fee is $400.

Remember to complete continuing education (CE) coursework on disability access requirements and zero net carbon design within the previous two years as mandated by Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 5600.05 (see coursework audits).

If you don’t renew online, complete an Architect License Renewal Application and mail with the fee to the Board with a postmark on or before the license expiration date.

Renewing on time is critical. Renewal notices are sent to the licensee’s address of record approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date. If a licensee does not receive the renewal notice within 90 days of their license expiration date, they may renew by mailing a completed Architect License Renewal Application and a check.

Please allow up to eight 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 signed.

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).

Note: The safe harbor provision of BPC section 121 does not apply if the renewal application is untimely or incomplete.