Architect License Reciprocity by State (2026)
NCARB Certificate and reciprocal licensure
Architects transfer through NCARB reciprocity. All 55 U.S. jurisdictions accept the NCARB Certificate, and 25 of them require it for a reciprocal licence — so the Certificate is the practical gate for multi-state practice.
- Covers:
- Licensed architects holding an active NCARB Certificate.
- Governing body:
- National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
What to know before you rely on it
- Reciprocity is an agreement among the 55 U.S. jurisdictions to recognise licences issued by the other boards.
- Some jurisdictions offer a reciprocal licence without the Certificate, but all accept the Certificate and many require it.
- Jurisdictions sometimes call the process endorsement or comity rather than reciprocity.
- You may only provide professional services in a jurisdiction where you are actually licensed.
Verify this first: Check whether your destination jurisdiction requires the Certificate using the NCARB Licensing Requirements Tool.
NCARB — Reciprocity ↗State-by-state reciprocity notes
12 of 51 states have a published reciprocity note in our dataset. For the remaining states, the note is not published — check both state boards before you move. Designs buildings and oversees construction compliance. Requires a NAAB-accredited degree, AXP experience hours and the ARE (NCARB).
| State | Reciprocity note | Verify with |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Yes — NCARB Certificate enables licensure by reciprocity | Arizona State Board of Technical Registration ↗ |
| California | Yes — NCARB Certificate enables reciprocity (CA also requires the state CSE exam) | California Architects Board ↗ |
| Florida | Yes — NCARB Certificate enables licensure by reciprocity | Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design ↗ |
| Georgia | Yes — NCARB Certificate enables licensure by reciprocity | Georgia State Board of Architects and Interior Designers ↗ |
| Illinois | Yes — NCARB Certificate enables licensure by reciprocity | Illinois Architects' Examining Committee (IDFPR) ↗ |
| Michigan | Yes — NCARB Certificate enables licensure by reciprocity | Michigan Board of Architects (LARA) ↗ |
| New York | Yes — NCARB Certificate enables licensure by reciprocity | New York State Board for Architecture ↗ |
| North Carolina | Yes — NCARB Certificate enables licensure by reciprocity | North Carolina Board of Architecture ↗ |
| Ohio | Yes — NCARB Certificate enables licensure by reciprocity | Ohio Architects Board ↗ |
| Pennsylvania | Yes — NCARB Certificate enables licensure by reciprocity | Pennsylvania State Architects Licensure Board ↗ |
| Texas | Yes — NCARB Certificate enables licensure by reciprocity | Texas Board of Architectural Examiners ↗ |
| Washington | Yes — NCARB Certificate enables licensure by reciprocity | Washington State Board of Architecture ↗ |
| Alabama | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Alaska | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Arkansas | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Colorado | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Connecticut | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Delaware | check both state boards | board site pending |
| District of Columbia | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Hawaii | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Idaho | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Indiana | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Iowa | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Kansas | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Kentucky | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Louisiana | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Maine | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Maryland | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Massachusetts | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Minnesota | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Mississippi | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Missouri | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Montana | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Nebraska | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Nevada | check both state boards | board site pending |
| New Hampshire | check both state boards | board site pending |
| New Jersey | check both state boards | board site pending |
| New Mexico | check both state boards | board site pending |
| North Dakota | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Oklahoma | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Oregon | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Rhode Island | check both state boards | board site pending |
| South Carolina | check both state boards | board site pending |
| South Dakota | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Tennessee | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Utah | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Vermont | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Virginia | check both state boards | board site pending |
| West Virginia | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Wisconsin | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Wyoming | check both state boards | board site pending |
Frequently asked questions
How does a Architect license transfer between states?
Architects transfer through NCARB reciprocity. All 55 U.S. jurisdictions accept the NCARB Certificate, and 25 of them require it for a reciprocal licence — so the Certificate is the practical gate for multi-state practice.
Which states participate in NCARB Certificate and reciprocal licensure?
Architects transfer through NCARB reciprocity. All 55 U.S. jurisdictions accept the NCARB Certificate, and 25 of them require it for a reciprocal licence — so the Certificate is the practical gate for multi-state practice. Confirm the current position with National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
Does NCARB Certificate and reciprocal licensure mean I skip the exam entirely?
Not automatically. Reciprocity is an agreement among the 55 U.S. jurisdictions to recognise licences issued by the other boards. The only reliable answer for your situation comes from the destination board, so verify before you pay application fees.
Can I transfer my Architect license to another state?
In our dataset, 12 states have a published reciprocity note (see the table). For every other state the rule is not published here — check both state boards before moving.
What does reciprocity mean for a license?
Reciprocity lets an already-licensed professional from one state qualify for a license in another state without repeating the full education and exam process. Some states have formal agreements or compacts; others require a state-specific exam or extra coursework even when they accept your license. Many states do not grant a license on reciprocity at all — they grant it by comity or endorsement, meaning you still file an application and meet their requirements.
Why do some states say "check both state boards"?
State reciprocity tables are not consistently published in machine-readable form. When a state has not published an official note in our verified sources, we point you to both boards rather than guess. That is the safest answer for a decision that can affect your eligibility to work.
Does holding a license in one state guarantee a license in another?
No. Every state sets its own licensing law. Even in states with reciprocity or a compact, you typically still file an application, pay a fee, pass a background check and sometimes pass a state-specific exam. Always confirm directly with the destination state board.
Plan your move with Architect data
Compare other professions
Reciprocity rules and compact membership change frequently and are set by each state legislature and board. “Check both state boards” means the note is not published in our dataset — it is not a negative answer. Mechanism data retrieved 2026-09-13; always verify with both boards before relocating.