Registration Requirements

There are three paths leading to registration to practice architecture or landscape architecture in Ohio. One of those paths is by examination, another by reciprocal registration (i.e., those licensed in another jurisdiction), and the last is through the reinstatement of a lapsed license.

Firms must also be licensed in Ohio. Please see the Firm Registration section for information.

All applications can be found on the Forms page.

Registration Requirments for Architects

• Registration by Examination
  
• Registration by Reciprocity
  
• Reinstatement of Lapsed or Inactive Registration
• Emeritus Architect

Registration Requirements for Landscape Architects

• Registration by Examination
  
• Registration by Reciprocity
  
• Reinstatement of Lapsed or Inactive Registration

Note: there is no Emeritus category for Landscape Architects. The Board is seeking legislative authority to create an Emeritus status.

Registration Requirements for Architects

Registration by Examination

First-time candidates for licensure wishing to practice architecture in the state of Ohio must meet the education, training, and examination requirements established by the Board.

An "Application for Registration by Examination and Use of Title" must be completed and submitted by the candidate.

Education Requirement

A National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or the Canadian Architecture Certification Board (CACB) accredited professional degree in architecture is required. Applications filed prior to January 1, 2000 are exempt from this requirement.

Internship Requirement

Ohio follows the IDP Guidelines as established by NCARB.

Reimbursement of IDP Enrollment Fees

Ohio will reimburse students the $100 fee for enrolling in the NCARB Intern Development Program.

In order to receive reimbursement, students must meet the following criteria:

• Students must be currently enrolled at one of Ohio's four accredited schools of architecture (OSU, Kent, Miami, Cincinnati).
  
• Proof of current enrollment is required (copy of current quarter schedule or a letter from the school. Student ID cards are not accepted.
• Student must be in good standing.
• Students must submit proof of enrollment in IDP (email or letter from NCARB with Council Record number).
  
• The reimbursement application must be notarized.
• Checks will be issued by the state of Ohio. Students should allow at least at least four to six weeks for their reimbursement check to arrive.
• Reimbursement will not be made to persons who have already graduated.
• Ohio residency is not required.

Examination Requirement

All candidates are required to pass the Architect Registration Examination®, which assesses candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required in the practice of architecture.

ARE Concurrent With IDP

Ohio candidates may begin taking the ARE upon graduating with a professional degree and while completing IDP. Candidates must have their ARE Eligibility transmitted to Ohio by NCARB.

Prometric

The ARE® is administered by Prometric. Candidates may schedule by phone or online.Ohio candidates may take the exam at any Prometric location in the US.

Candidates experiencing difficulty scheduling online should call ARE Operations at 800-896-2272.

Candidates who experience problems with the computer or the test, at the test site, must report the problem within ten days to: ARE Operations, PO Box 6542, Princeton, NJ 08540 FAX 609-895-5022. Send a copy to the Board office as well.

Authorization to Test Letter

Once application is approved, the candidate's information is entered into the Prometric database.

Prometric should send the Authorization to Test (ATT) letter within two weeks. This letter contains the "Candidate ID" number and is needed to register for the exam.

Candidates who do not promptly receive their Authorization to Test letter should call the Board office.

Five Year Rolling Clock

Under the terms of the NCARB Five-Year Rolling Clock, which was effective on January 1, 2006, candidates taking the ARE must pass all divisions within five years. Ohio follows the NCARB Five-Year Rolling Clock.

Five Years of Eligibility to Test in Ohio

Candidates for registration by examination have five years from the date their intitial eligibility is approved to complete all divisions of the ARE. Candidates who have not taken any divisions of the ARE (pass or fail) for five years will have their eligibility voided. Voided candidates wishing to resume testing will be required to re-establish their eligibility in Ohio.

Voided candidates must meet all of the eligibility requirements in effect at the time eligibility is re-established. Candidates who do not hold a professional degree will not be readmitted to the exam. All candidates are required to complete IDP before their license can be issued. IDP can be completed while testing.

Candidates without NCARB Council Records are required to establish a Record. Retroactive reporting of IDP experience is not allowed.

Candidates whose eligibility has been voided must put their request to re-establish eligibility into writing, and submit to the Board office via email or USPS.

Test Scores

Scores for the ARE are sent to the Ohio Architects Board by Prometric. Scores may arrive anywhere from two weeks to two months after the exam date. The Board makes every effort to send scores to candidates the same day they are received.

Candidates are responsible for notifying the Board of any change in their address, or there may be delays in receiving scores.

Candidates who have not received their scores should contact the Board office.

Paper and Pencil Scores Expire July 1, 2014

Under the NCARB Five-Year Rolling Clock, all scores for exams taken on paper and pencil will be voided effective July 1, 2014. Candidates who have not completed all requirements for initial licensure will be required to take the appropriate divisions on computer. This does not apply to individuals who have been issued a license to practice architecture.

Review/Appeal of Failed Exam Divisions

In Ohio, exam results may not be appealed; exams may not be reviewed.

Issuance of First License

After all divisions of the ARE have been passed, and the IDP record is sent to the Board by NCARB, an Interim License is issued if all requirements have been met. Candidates may begin using the title "Architect" and using their license number immediately. The formal wall certificate will be issued after it has been signed by all Board members. This may take several months.

There are no additional fees for issuance of the intial license or wall certificate.

New licensees may order seals from any vendor. Ohio allows rubber stamp, embossed metal or electronic seals.

Transferring ARE Scores Between States

To transfer scores from another state to Ohio:

Contact the state where you have previously taken the exam. Ask that state to transfer your ARE scores to Ohio. There may be a fee on the part of the other state.

If the state is willing to send Ohio a certified copy of your IDP record, Ohio will accept it, which will eliminate having to pay NCARB another transmittal fee. Some states will do this, and some will not, so check with the other state.

Candidates must also complete an "Application for Registration by Examination" ($50) and submit it to the Ohio Board. Upon completion of the exams, the initial registration will be issued by the state of Ohio.

To transfer scores from Ohio to another state or to NCARB:

Ask Ohio to send a certification of exam scores to the state you to which wish to transfer.

Ask Ohio to send a certified copy of your IDP record, if you do not want to pay an additional transmittal fee to NCARB. You must also check with the other state to see if they will accept a certified copy from Ohio.

Ask Ohio to void your Ohio exam file.

Ohio does not charge a fee to transfer scores to another state.

Use of Title by Interns and Exam Candidates

Use of job titles containing the word "Architect", is restricted by Ohio Revised Code sections 4703.06 to 4703.18.

Only persons who have been admitted to take the ARE by the state of Ohio may use either of these two titles: "Intern Architect" and "Architectural Intern".

Any other title containing the word "Architect" or any of its derivatives is strictly prohibited.

Use of the title "Graduate Architect" by unlicensed persons is NOT permitted.

Persons who are NOT admitted to the ARE may use titles such as: Project Designer, Project Manager, Intern, Emerging Professional or Job Captain.

Registration by Reciprocity

Ohio requires that applicants for reciprocal registration hold a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Certificate. Applicants must contact NCARB to have their Certificate transmitted to the Board and complete the application for registration by reciprocity, which is located on the Forms page.

Once the Certificate and the Ohio application are received, the license is issued within two to three business days.

Reciprocal applicants should also read the Firm Registration requirements.

Reinstatement of Lapsed or Inactive Registration

A lapsed or inactive license to practice architecture in the state of Ohio may be reinstated upon the payment of the required fees and penalties. The total of these fees and penalties may not exceed $1,000. The fee chart is listed on the application and on the Fees section of this website.

Proof of completion of the continuing education requirement is required in order to reinstate.

Emeritus Architect

Architects who are over age 65, have been licensed to practice in Ohio for at least ten years, and who are fully retired are eligible to apply for Emeritus status.

Emeritus architects are exempt from the Continuing Education requirement.

Emeritus status with the American Institute of Architects is not the same as the status granted by the Ohio Architects Board, and does not exempt the AIA Emeritus from the state Continuing Education requirement.

Once Emeritus status is granted, no renewal fees are due.

Emeritus Architects are not permitted to practice architecture in Ohio.

An Emeritus architect can return to Active upon payment of the renewal fees and proof of completion of the Continuing Education requirement.

The Emeritus architect application is available on the Forms page.

There is no Emeritus status for Landscape Architects. The Board is seeking legislative authority to create an Emeritus status for Landscape Architects.

Registration Requirements for Landscape Architects

Registration by Examination

Persons wishing to practice landscape architecture in the state of Ohio must meet the education, training, and examination requirements established by the Board.

Application Process

The first step is to apply for a Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) Record.

An "Application for Registration by Examination" must be completed and submitted by the candidate.

Candidates for registration by examination will apply to Ohio when they meet all of the requirements: a professional degre, completion of the experience requirement, and have passed all divisions of the exam.

Candidates who made application for Registration by Examination in Ohio prior to April 1, 2009 are exempt from the requirement to have a CLARB Record prior to licensure, however, it is strongly encouraged. Record holders pay lower fees for the LARE and can obtain a CLARB Certificate with greater ease upon initial licensure. Certificate holders will find it easier to obtain reciprocal licensure in other states.

Education

Candidates must have a Landscape Architectural Accrediting Board accredited professional degree in landscape architecture.

Experience

Candidates are required to complete an internship period of three years. The required experience shall be comprehensive in nature and in areas directly related to landscape architecture. Experience must include experience in design, contract documents, contract administration and office management.

The experience requirements may be fulfilled by completing three years of experience in landscape architecture in accordance with the table below and meeting the following conditions:

Registration by Reciprocity

Reciprocal Landscape Architect applicants must hold a Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) Council Record. Applicants must have their CLARB Record transmitted to the Board.

Once the CLARB Certificate and the Ohio application are received, approval is completed within two to three business days.

Reciprocal applicants should also read the Firm Registration requirements.

Reinstatement of Lapsed or Inactive Registration

If your Landscape Architect registration expired prior to the current renewal period, you must apply for reinstatement. All prior year fees and penalties, up to a maximum of $500, must be included with the reinstatement application. Proof of completion of the Continuing Education requirement is also required.