50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Oregon Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Oregon.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Oregon for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Oregon Architecture Company Licenses

Oregon Architectural Firm Registration

Agency:Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners
Law:

OAR § 806-010-0080

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • At least 2/3 of the directors must be licensed architects or engineers.
  • At least 1/3 of the directors must be licensed architects
  • At least 1 director must be an Oregon licensed architect.
  • If a corporation was in continuous existence since September 29, 1991, and at least 51 percent of the corporation is owned by an Oregon registered architect or engineer, the corporation is exempt from typical ownership requirements, but must still meet all other architectural firm name requirements.

Professional Corporations:

  • At least 2/3 of the directors must be licensed architects or engineers.
    At least 1/3 of the directors must be licensed architects
    At least 1 director must be an Oregon licensed architect.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least 2/3 of the members must be licensed architects or engineers and represent at least 2/3 of the ownership interest in the partnership.
  • At least 1/3 of the members must be licensed architects.
  • At least 1 member must be an Oregon licensed architect.

Partnerships:

  • At least 2/3 of the partners must be licensed architects or engineers and represent at least 2/3 of the ownership interest in the partnership.
  • At least 1/3 of the partners must be licensed architects.
  • At least 1 partner must be an Oregon licensed architect.

Initial Registration

This section applies to architectural firms that are applying for a license in Oregon for the first time. If you already have a license and are looking to renew it, please see the renewal section.

Form:

Architectural Firm Application

Filing Method:

Mail or email to architectboard@osbae.oregon.gov

Agency Fee:

$100 application fee + $200 registration fee

Notarize:Required
Notes:

Name Requirements

  • The firm name, or the assumed business name, must be identified as being engaged in the practice of architecture such as "Architects," "An Architectural P.C.," or "Architecture and Planning"
  • The firm may use the plural form of architect in its name only if the firm has more than one individual architect actively registered in any Board recognized jurisdiction
  • The name may only include the surname of any person presently or previously associated in the practice of architecture or engineering in any jurisdiction recognized by the Board with the named entity or its members or predecessors
  • When wording is used to suggest the existence of additional principals, directors, partners or associates, such as "Associated," "Group," "& Associates," or "Partners," the reference must be to existing persons currently or previously within the firm
  • The firm name may contain numbers as long as it is not misleading to the public, i.e., “Three Oregon Architects” must have three architects registered in Oregon
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Ensure that your business entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • Identify an Oregon licensed architect to act as the firm representative in charge of the firm's professional activities in Oregon.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Ensure that your Oregon entity will meet ownership requirements.
  • Identify an Oregon licensed architect to act as the firm representative in charge of the firm's professional activities in Oregon.
  • Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity's home state (to be filed during the foreign qualification process). The certificate cannot be more than 60 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Oregon Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
  2. Obtain a certificate of existence from the Secretary of State to file with your license application.
  3. File a Architectural Firm Application with the Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File foreign qualification documents with the Oregon Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
  2. Obtain a certificate of existence from the Secretary of State to file with your license application.
  3. File a Architectural Firm Application with the Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners.
Required Attachments:
  • A copy of your firm’s Certificate of Existence issued by the Oregon Secretary of State
  • List of directors, members, or partners including addresses, license numbers, and jurisdiction in which they are licensed

Registration Renewal

This section applies to architectural firms that are already licensed in Oregon and need to renew their license.

Filing Method:

Online; a link to the online filing portal will be included in the renewal notice.

Agency Fee:

$200

Due:

Annually by January 31. Firms that initially apply for a license after October 1 of a given year are not required to also renew by January 31 of the upcoming year.

Notes:

Registered firms will receive a renewal notice, through e-mail, in December.

Required Attachments:
  • List of directors, members, or partners of the firm including addresses and license numbers
  • Disclosure of disciplinary actions taken against individuals with an interest in the firm (if applicable)

Amendment

Form:

Contact Information Change Form

Due:

Within 60 days of the effective date of the change.

Notes:

A change of firm name requires that you reapply.

Oregon Interior Design Firm License

Not required



Interior Design Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Oregon.

Oregon does not currently license or register interior design businesses.

Oregon Landscape Architecture Business Registration

Agency:Oregon State Landscape Architect Board

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Business Registration

Agency Fee:

$100.00 application fee + $225.00 registration fee + $50.00 initial statement of responsibility filing

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$225

Due:

Annually by the last day of the month that the registration was initially issued in.

Individual Licenses

Oregon Individual Architecture Licenses

Oregon Architect License

Agency:Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners
NCARB Certificate:Not required
Completion of CE/PDH:Required
Interview:Required
NAAB-accredited degree:Required
NCARB IDP:Required
Additional Experience:Not required
State-specific exam:Required

Initial Registration

This section applies to architects that are applying for a license in Oregon for the first time.

Form:http://orbae.com/download-your-form/
Agency Fee:

$75-$150 application fee + $75 exam fee

Reciprocal Registration

This section applies to architects licensed in another state that are looking for reciprocal licensure in Oregon.

Agency Fee:

$100

Registration Renewal

This section applies to architects that are already licensed in Oregon and need to renew their license.

Agency Fee:

$200

Due:

Biennially by December 31. Registrations ending with an even number renew every even-numbered year and registrations ending with an odd number renew every odd-numbered year.

Oregon Interior Designer License

Not required



Interior Designer licensure is not required on the State level in Oregon.

Oregon Landscape Architect Registration

Agency:Oregon State Landscape Architect Board

Initial Registration

Form:

Application - Landscape Architect Registration

Agency Fee:

$100 application fee + $325 registration fee

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$325

Due:

Annually by the end of the month of initial registration.

Learn about architecture licensing in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

ARE (Architect Registration Examination) - Assesses candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required to be a practicing architect.

AXP (Architectural Experience Program) - NCARB program for architectural internship, a requirement for licensure that occurs after filling the educational requirements.

BEFA (Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect) - An alternative NCARB certification that allows foreign architects to independently practice architecture.

COA (Certificate of Authorization) - The most common name of the registration required for firms to practice architecture in a given state.

Design Firm - Architectural firm registration is sometimes grouped with engineering and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.

NCARB Certification - Licensed architects have the option to become Certificate holders to signify that they have met national standards established by U.S. licensing boards for protecting public health, safety, and welfare. Certification also facilitates reciprocal registration in all 54 jurisdictions, 11 Canadian jurisdictions, and can be used to support an application for licensure in other countries.

Reciprocity - This is when a licensed architect in one state can provide documentation (often a NCARB certificate) to more easily apply for licensure in another jurisdiction.

State Board - Often referred to as the State Architects Licensure Board or Board of Architects, an individual state’s board serves as the regulatory authority for architects. The board qualifies and licenses individuals seeking architectural licensure. The board is responsible for preserving the public health, safety, and welfare of individuals who occupy built environments.

National Architecture Accrediting Board
NAAB establishes criteria for and accredits professional architecture degree programs in the United States.

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
AIAS is an independent, student-run group that promotes excellence in architecture education, training, and practice.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
AIA is a voluntary professional organization for architects providing advocacy, information, and community.

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
ACSA represents architectural education programs across the globe.

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
NCARB is the national organization representing the state registration boards.

Revised October 18, 2021. Complete data last reviewed August 11, 2019.
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