Alert!  All candidates who earn a license in California must successfully pass the California Supplemental Examination (CSE) before a license will be issued (see information at the bottom of the page). There is no waiver of this requirement

Reciprocity


Expedited Licensure for Spouses or Domestic Partners of Active Duty Military Personnel

The Board will expedite the licensure process for the spouse or domestic partner of those on active duty in the US Armed Forces who are assigned to a duty station in California under official active duty military orders.

A candidate eligible for an expedited license must provide evidence that he or she is married to, or in a domestic relationship or other legal union with, an active duty member of the US Armed Forces who is assigned to a duty station in California under official active duty military orders.

In addition to the requirements on the reciprocity overview page, a candidate, who is licensed or registered in another US jurisdiction, must either:

  • Have a current and valid certification issued by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and apply through the NCARB Certification process; or
  • Provide verification of eight years of experience pre- or post-licensure through either work experience or a combination of work experience and education (transcripts must be submitted by the school to the Board, submissions by a candidate are not acceptable) and apply through the experience process.

If licensed less than three years, provide evidence of completion of the NCARB Architectural Experience Program.

Note: Expedited licensure does not mean a license must be issued but simply requires the process to be accelerated for a spouse or domestic partner of active duty military personnel (Business and Professions Code section 115.5).