Starting the Licensure Process

• Establish an NCARB Record and select California as the testing jurisdiction.
• If you have a degree from any U.S. university/college or you earned a degree from a Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) program, please complete and submit NCARB's Transcript Form (Form 122) and have your school(s) send your transcript(s) directly to NCARB.

• Complete the Application for Eligibility Evaluation.

• Complete the ARE (pass each division within the ARE Score Validity Policy).
• You may take ARE divisions in any order.

• Complete the CSE.
• You may concurrently take the CSE while you are completing the ARE.
• Examination results are provided at the test site upon completion of the CSE.
• Candidates who fail the CSE must wait at least 90 days before submission of a new CSE application. This is mandatory and cannot be waived.
• Carefully read any informational material you may receive from PSI.

• Complete the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) or Internship in Architecture Program (IAP).
• You may begin reporting AXP hours once you turn 18 or the equivalent of a graduate from high school.
• You may also concurrently fulfill this requirement at the same time as you are completing the ARE and CSE.
• You may document all training (work) experience through AXP.
• You must request NCARB transmit your AXP Record to CAB after completing both the ARE and CSE.
• Allow 30-45 days for NCARB to transmit the AXP Record.

• Submit a Complete set of Fingerprints for a criminal background check.
• You may submit fingerprints at any time while testing or completing AXP/IAP.
• Candidates outside California must request hard cards for fingerprint submission.
• Allow 6-8 weeks for the criminal background clearances to be reported to CAB.

• Submit the Application for Licensure.
• Allow 4-6 weeks for CAB to verify fulfillment of licensure requirements.
• CAB will issue a license upon confirmation of license eligibility.

• Complete the Application for Reciprocity.

• Request transmittal of your NCARB Certificate to CAB if you are NCARB Certified.

Alternately, if not NCARB Certified:

• Provide proof of licensure or registration in another United States jurisdiction.
• Provide license verification from each jurisdiction where a license is currently or was previously held.
• Provide evidence of completion for the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) or Internship in Architecture Program (IAP), if licensed less than three years.
• Document eight (8) years of training and educational experience in architectural work by doing the following:
  • Request your educational transcript be directly sent from your college or university to CAB.
  • Submit an Employment Verification Form to document training (work) experience, three years of which must be post licensure.
• Additional training experience in architectural work may be requested until the eight-year experience requirement is fulfilled. CAB will notify candidates via email whether additional work experience is necessary.

• Complete the California Supplemental Examination (CSE).
• Examination results are provided at the site and either a license application or a retest application is provided to candidate.

• Submit a Complete set of Fingerprints for a criminal background check.
• You may submit fingerprints at any time.
• Candidates outside California must request hard cards for fingerprint submission.
• Allow 6-8 weeks for the criminal background clearances to be reported to CAB.

• Submit the Application for Licensure.
• Allow 4-6 weeks for CAB to verify fulfillment of licensure requirements.
• CAB will issue a license upon confirmation of eligibility.