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?
- What if I have an architectural degree in a foreign country?
CEU Questions:
- What is the annual continuing education (CE) requirement for Massachusetts?
- Can credits I earn in excess of the state requirement this year be carried over to the following year?
- I've just become licensed in Massachusetts. When do I have to comply with the continuing education requirements?
- How do I obtain continuing education credits?
- How does a state "contact hour" compare with AIA/CES Learning Units and NCARB standards?
- What steps do I take to report learning activity and/or credits? Is this process related to the AIA reporting system?
- In general, if the AIA credits a learning experience, will the state also accept it for CE credit?
- Are other states consistent with MA and AIA requirements?
- Can I send a copy of my AIA transcript as proof I have complied with the continuing education requirements?
- Since the Board of Registration of Architects has limited staff resources, how will the Board review and administer self-study proposals that evidently must be pre-approved by the Board? How long will that take?
- 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?
- I have taken a number of seminars. However, I'm not AIA, and don't put my name down, because I assume they don't track my credits, if I'm not a member. How is this documented?
- I was wondering if obtaining LEED certification would qualify for my continuing education requirements? I studied and passed the LEED exam to become a LEED Accredited Professional in the past year; if I can document that I have achieved accreditation would that be sufficient? If so, what kind of documentation is required?
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:
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
1801 K Street, NW, Suite 700K
Washington, DC 20006-1310
Ph: 202/783-6500
Fax: 202/783-0290
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 (NCARB)
1801 K Street, NW, Suite 700K
Washington, DC 20006-1310
Ph: 202/783-6500
Fax: 202/783-0290
When does my Architectural license expire?
August 31st (annually).
When are Architectural renewals mailed?
On or about June 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.
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
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)
1801 K Street, NW, Suite 700K
Washington, DC 20006-1310
Ph: 202/783-6500
Fax: 202/783-0290
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
CEU Questions:
What is the annual continuing education (CE) requirement for Massachusetts?
Architects registered in Massachusetts must earn a minimum of 12 credits annually, 8 of which must be in Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) topics. One hour equals one credit. Credits must be earned within the 12-month license renewal cycle; Sept. 1 through Aug. 31.This continuing education requirement has been in place since the 2003-2004 license years.
Can credits I earn in excess of the state requirement this year be carried over to the following year?
Massachusetts does not allow credits to carry forward. Credits must be earned within the 12 month license renewal cycle, Sept. 1 through Aug. 31.
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.
How do I obtain continuing education credits?
Any course or program approved by the AIA, CSI or NCARB is automatically accepted by the Board. There is a wealth of continuing education opportunities available through AIA education providers such as the BSA, other AIA chapters, the BAC, NCARB, architectural journals and online learning sites, and we encourage you to take advantage of them. Please review the regulations for additional information.
How does a state "contact hour" compare with AIA/CES Learning Units and NCARB standards?
They are intended to be interchangeable. One hour = one contact hour = one Learning Unit = one credit.
What steps do I take to report learning activity and/or credits? Is this process related 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. AIA transcripts showing qualified continuing education activities will be acceptable documentation.
In general, if the AIA credits a learning experience, will the state also accept it for CE credit?
Yes. Here are some common examples of AIA programs accepted by Massachusetts
Lunchtime seminars- Yes, you can earn state credit for seminars that offer AIA Learning Units (LU's). Lunchtime programs are sometimes registered with AIA by the host firm, other times by a vendor or other presenter..
AIA Chapter Committee meetings that focus on technical or other professional issues- Any AIA program that offers AIA LU's is acceptable to Massachusetts. Many committees regularly present programs that offer Learning Units.
Build Boston and other conferences/conventions- The BSA's annual Build Boston conference offers many workshops where you can earn AIA LU's. Conferences and workshops sponsored by other organizations may also offer AIA credit; be sure to review the registration information for continuing education details.
Teaching or giving a professional 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.
Articles in Architectural Journals- Articles with related quizzes are published in Architectural Record and some other industry publications. Articles that offer AIA credit are acceptable to Massachusetts.
Online or Distance-Education Programs- Online or other distance-education programs that are registered with AIA and provide Learning Units are also acceptable to Massachusetts.
Are other states consistent with MA and AIA requirements?
No. Each State has the right to formulate their own individual requirements. Massachusetts has defined the acceptable activities in our current 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.
Can I send a copy of my AIA transcript as proof I have complied with the continuing education requirements?
Yes. If the transcript 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.
Since the Board of Registration of Architects has limited staff resources, how will the Board review and administer self-study proposals that evidently must be pre-approved by the Board? How long will that take?
AIA members may also report self-study activities via the AIA Continuing Education System. For others wishing to submit self-study proposals, the Massachusetts Board will review each proposal individually and respond as quickly as possible.
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.
I have taken a number of seminars. However, I'm not AIA, and don't put my name down, because I assume they don't track my credits, if I'm not a member. How is this documented?
Each registered architect shall maintain a written record of all continuing education courses or programs and/or approved individual continuing education activities he or she has completed for a period of not less than two (2) consecutive registration periods, inclusive of the registration period during which the course, program or activity was completed.
I was wondering if obtaining LEED certification would qualify for my continuing education requirements? I studied and passed the LEED exam to become a LEED Accredited Professional in the past year; if I can document that I have achieved accreditation would that be sufficient? If so, what kind of documentation is required?
The Board of Registration will allow 12 credits for passing the LEED exam
Does the board require any of the 12 CEU credits to be sustainable design?
No