50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Wisconsin Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Wisconsin.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Wisconsin 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

Wisconsin Architecture Company Licenses

Wisconsin Certificate of Authorization

Agency:Wisconsin Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Professional Land Surveyors
Law:

WI Stat. § 443.08

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Service Corporations
  • Partnerships
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • Officers and directors need not be licensed, but the corporation must appoint a Wisconsin licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm in Wisconsin.

Service Corporations:

  • All shareholders, officers, and directors must be licensed individuals.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members and managers need not be licensed, but the LLC must appoint a Wisconsin licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm in Wisconsin.

Partnerships:

  • Partners need not be licensed, but the partnership must appoint a Wisconsin licensed individual to be responsible for all professional activities undertaken by the firm in Wisconsin.

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Certificate of Authorization

Agency Fee:

$55

Turnaround:

8-12 weeks depending on processing. Applicants will be notified by mail and/or email.

Notes:
  • You may file with the Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers, and Professional Land Surveyors and the Department of Financial Institutions concurrently.
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • For each of the firm's professional services, identify a Wisconsin licensed design professional to act as the individual in responsible charge in Wisconsin.

Foreign Applicants:

  • For each of the firm's professional services, identify a Wisconsin licensed design professional to act as the individual in responsible charge in Wisconsin.
  • 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 Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) - Corporation Section.
  2. File an Application for Certificate of Authorization with the Wisconsin Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Professional Land Surveyors.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Determine whether or not your entity will need to foreign qualify in Wisconsin. If not required, skip to step 3.
  2. File foreign qualification documents with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) - Corporation Section.
  3. File an Application for Certificate of Authorization with the Wisconsin Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Professional Land Surveyors.
Required Attachments:
  • List of officers, directors, members, or partners of the firm including titles and addresses
  • List of branch office locations including licensee in responsible charge
  • List of all Wisconsin credential holders employed by the firm who will be in responsible charge of the work performed in Wisconsin, including addresses and license numbers
  • Convictions and Pending Charges form (if applicable)

Registration Renewal

Form:

Form 929: Report of Renewal Information for COA

Filing Method:

Mail, fax, or online.

Agency Fee:

$55

Due:

By January 31 of even-numbered years.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Not required
Required Attachments:
  • List of directors, officers, managers, or members of the firm including addresses
  • Sealed certificate pages for each licensee employed by the firm which also specifies which licensees act as the responsible licensee
  • List of branch office locations including licensee in responsible charge

Wisconsin Interior Design Firm License

Not required



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

Wisconsin does not currently license or register interior design businesses.

Wisconsin Landscape Architecture Firm License

Not required



Landscape Architecture Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Wisconsin.

More information: Wisconsin Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Professional Land Surveyors

Individual Licenses

Wisconsin Individual Architecture Licenses

Wisconsin Architect License

Agency:Wisconsin Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Professional Land Surveyors
NCARB Certificate:Not required
Completion of CE/PDH:Required
Interview:Not required
NAAB-accredited degree:Not required
NCARB IDP:Not required
Additional Experience:Not required
State-specific exam:Not required

Initial Registration

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

Form:Application for Architect Registration
Agency Fee:

$90 ($75 initial credential fee & $15 administration fee) paid with exam application.

Reciprocal Registration

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

Agency Fee:

$82

Registration Renewal

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

Agency Fee:

$82

Due:

By July 31 of even-numbered years.

Wisconsin Interior Designer Registration

Agency:Wisconsin Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Professional Land Surveyors

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Interior Designer Registration

Agency Fee:

$59

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$59

Due:

By July 31 of even-numbered years.

Wisconsin Landscape Architect Registration

Agency:Wisconsin Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Professional Land Surveyors

Exam Application

Form:

Form 2187: Application for Landscape Architect Examination

Agency Fee:

$0

Initial Registration

Form:

Form 2088: Application for Landscape Architect Registration

Agency Fee:

$75

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$82

Due:

By July 31 of even-numbered years.

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 May 03, 2018.
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