Frequently Asked Questions about Board of Registration of Architects
By the Division of Professional Licensure
General Questions:
- What are the requirements to become a Registered Architect?
- How can I obtain an architectural application for the examination?
- How often are the examinations administered?
- What type of examination is administered?
- How can I obtain a copy of the Massachusetts General Laws for this Board?
- Does Massachusetts have reciprocity?
- How do I obtain a Massachusetts reciprocity application?
- When does my Architectural license expire?
- When are Architectural renewals mailed?
- How can I have my Internship deferred?
- What if I have an architectural degree in a foreign country?
CEU Questions:
- What is the effective date and how far back before that date can a learning activity occur and still be counted toward the state requirement?
- What is the physical reporting requirement (the paperwork) and how is that reporting requirement related, if at all, to the AIA reporting system?
- If I participate in an AIA quality level 1 activity, would it be acceptable for state credit? in general, if the AIA credits a learning experience, will the state accept that automatically for state credit too ?
- Do I have to write to the state to get credit approval before I engage in any learning activity?
- If my office offers lunchtime seminars, can I earn state credit for them? must my firm be a provider certified by the AIA or the state? Do such lunchtime programs need to be approved in advance by the state?
- Do typical BSA committee meetings that focus on technical or other professional issues qualify for state credit? Do build Boston workshops qualify for state credit? Will the state define the types of learning experiences that qualify for state credit and the types that do not qualify?
- Can credits I earn in excess of the state requirement this year be carried over to the following year?
- What is the renewal period? That is, what month do i start amassing credits each year?
- Can you tell me how other states have blended or failed to blend state and AIA requirements? How will Massachusetts do that?
- Since the board of registration of architects has no discernible staff, how will the board review and administer self-study proposals that evidently must be pre-approved by the Board? How long will that take?
- How do I obtain Continuing Education Credits?
- Can I send a copy of my AIA transcript as proof I have complied with the CEU requirements?
- How does a state "contact hour" compare with AIA/CES standards and NCARB standards?
- I've seen no mention of AIA Continuing Education articles and reporting forms, such as those found in the Architectural Records, in the Board of Registration's requirements. Does Massachusetts accept these as required CEU's?
- Can I get credit for teaching a course on architecture or giving a presentation?
- I've just become licensed in Massachusetts. When do I have to comply with the continuing education requirements?
- I participate on my town's planning board and learn quite a bit that I find helpful in my practice. Will this activity count toward my continuing education requirements?
General Questions:
What are the requirements to become a Registered Architect?
Mandatory completion of Internship Development Program (IDP) green cover, and NAAB accredited degree.
How can I obtain an architectural application for the examination?
Contact:
PCS (Professional Credential Services, Inc.)
150 Fourth Avenue
Suite 700
Nashville, TN 32719
Phone number: 1-877-887-9727
How often are the examinations administered?
Monthly (Monday through Saturday).
What type of examination is administered?
A Computerized examination.
How can I obtain a copy of the Massachusetts General Laws for this Board?
Please visit the General Laws of Massachusetts web pages at www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/index.htm
Does Massachusetts have reciprocity?
Yes, mandatory NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) certification and current license status in another jurisdiction.
How do I obtain a Massachusetts reciprocity application?
In order to obtain an application, please call:
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards,
Suite 700, 1735 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, D. C. 20006
Tel. (202) 783-6500.
When does my Architectural license expire?
August 31st (annually).
When are Architectural renewals mailed?
On or about May 1 of each year, the Board shall mail to every architect registered in the Commonwealth a blank application for renewal of certificate of registration.
Note: Address must be current in our system. Changes must be submitted prior to the renewal cycle.
How can I have my Internship deferred?
Mail copies only of Internship Deferment Loan to the Board and provide the name and address of the lender and of the applicant.
What if I have an architectural degree in a foreign country?
Commencing with the June 1989 administration of the Architect Registration Examination and for all administrative thereafter, an applicant to be considered eligible for the examination in Massachusetts, along with meeting all other requirements and qualifications, must hold a first professional degree in architecture where the degree program has been accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) no later than two years after termination of enrollment or has satisfied NCARB's education requirements as otherwise specified in Circular of Information No. #3.
Any candidate holding an architectural degree from a foreign country must have his or her education evaluated, as it relates to the NCARB education requirements prior to any eligibility determination by the board. An evaluation of an architectural degree from a foreign country can be accomplished by
National Architectural Accrediting
Board, Inc.
1735 New York Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202.783.2007
Fax: 202.783.2822
info@naab.org
All cost associated with the evaluation are the responsibility of the applicant.
A copy of Circular of Information No # 3 may be obtained by contacting
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
Suite 700, 1735 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Tel. 202-783-6500
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
CEU Questions:
What is the effective date and how far back before that date can a learning activity occur and still be counted toward the state requirement?
The effective date will be 31 August 2004. The 12 CE units (8 of which must be HSW) must be achieved during the prior 12-month period (from 1 September 2003 through 31 August 2004).
What is the physical reporting requirement (the paperwork) and how is that reporting requirement related, if at all, to the AIA reporting system?
The License renewal form will have a check-off required which certifies that the renewing architect has met the CE requirements. A random audit will be performed after the renewals are received. Those selected for audit will be required to submit written documentation of their CE activities. A copy of the AIA report showing the required activity will be acceptable
If I participate in an AIA quality level 1 activity, would it be acceptable for state credit? in general, if the AIA credits a learning experience, will the state accept that automatically for state credit too?
Yes
Do I have to write to the state to get credit approval before I engage in any learning activity?
No
If my office offers lunchtime seminars, can I earn state credit for them? must my firm be a provider certified by the AIA or the state? Do such lunchtime programs need to be approved in advance by the state?
Yes, you can earn state credit for seminars that offer AIA learning units (LU's). The firm does not have to be a certified provider – but the program being offered must be certified (usually by the vendor, etc.). If the programs are approved by AIA, and AIA Learning Units are received, they will be acceptable to Massachusetts.
Do typical BSA committee meetings that focus on technical or other professional issues qualify for state credit? Do build Boston workshops qualify for state credit? Will the state define the types of learning experiences that qualify for state credit and the types that do not qualify?
Any BSA program that offers AIA LU's is acceptable to Massachusetts. AIA certified LU's earned at Build Boston are acceptable.
Can credits I earn in excess of the state requirement this year be carried over to the following year?
Credits must be earned in the 12 months prior to license renewal.
What is the renewal period? That is, what month do i start amassing credits each year?
Credits for a renewal period are earned starting 1 September prior to the 31 August renewal date.
Can you tell me how other states have blended or failed to blend state and AIA requirements? How will Massachusetts do that?
Each State has the right to formulate their own individual requirements. Massachusetts has defined the acceptable activities in our new Rules and Regulations. Massachusetts has generally conformed to NCARB requirements, which are similar to AIA LU requirements. All states currently accept the NCARB monographs for CE units.
Since the board of registration of architects has no discernible staff, how will the board review and administer self-study proposals that evidently must be pre-approved by the Board? How long will that take?
Between the NCARB Monographs and the AIA Learning Unit opportunities, with the vendors that are providing CE courses based on those requirements, there are many opportunities for reasonable education opportunities. For self study proposals, the Massachusetts Board will review each proposal individually and respond as quickly as possible.
How do I obtain Continuing Education Credits?
Please review the regulations for specific information.
Any course approved by the AIA or NCARB is automatically accepted by the Board. Build Boston and the BSA Continuing Education Programs which earn AIA credits are also a good option for Mass Architects.
Can I send a copy of my AIA transcript as proof I have complied with the CEU requirements?
Yes, if you choose to use a copy of the AIA Transcript as proof of complying with the CEU requirements and if it does not include your name along with your membership number, please also enclose a copy of your AIA membership card or other official document which contains your name and membership number on a single form.
How does a state "contact hour" compare with AIA/CES standards and NCARB standards?
They are intended to be interchangeable.
I've seen no mention of AIA Continuing Education articles and reporting forms, such as those found in the Architectural Records, in the Board of Registration's requirements. Does Massachusetts accept these as required CEU's?
The state accepts any learning program that the AIA accepts. The AIA limits credits earned through Architectural Record articles to 8 hours per year. Massachusetts limits credits earned through audio and video taped "home study" programs to 6 hours per year.
Can I get credit for teaching a course on architecture or giving a presentation?
If you teach an undergraduate or graduate level course you earn 12 contact hours per academic credit awarded for the course, but only for the first time you teach the course. If you give an AIA-approved presentation you earn the number of contact hours equal to the hours of instruction-but only for the first time you give the presentation.
I've just become licensed in Massachusetts. When do I have to comply with the continuing education requirements?
You must meet the Massachusetts continuing education requirements upon your first full year of registration, beginning September 1.
I participate on my town's planning board and learn quite a bit that I find helpful in my practice. Will this activity count toward my continuing education requirements?
If the AIA accepts this "self-designed" activity and provides credit, Massachusetts will accept it.