Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE)

To practice architecture in Texas, individuals and businesses must be registered with the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE).

  1. Individual Registration:
    If you are not currently registered to practice, there are multiple pathways available based on your education, experience, and licensure status in other jurisdictions.

  2. Business Registration:
    Any business providing architectural, interior design, or landscape architecture services in Texas must also register with TBAE to comply with state requirements.

Explore TBAE’s guidelines to identify the appropriate registration process for your situation.

Registration by Examination in Texas

To obtain architectural registration in Texas through examination, applicants must:

  1. Hold a Professional Degree from:

    • A program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

    • A program that gained NAAB accreditation within two years after graduation.

    • A program with NAAB candidacy status, achieving accreditation within three years of graduation.

    • An international program deemed equivalent to NAAB standards.

  2. Complete the Architectural Experience Program (AXP).

  3. Pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).

Applicants prior to 2011 may qualify under older education and experience rules. Legal U.S. residency proof is required, with documentation such as a certified birth certificate or other acceptable evidence per federal law.

Architectural Registration by Reciprocity

Professionals with an active and good-standing architectural license in another jurisdiction may apply for Texas architectural registration through reciprocity if:

  1. The other jurisdiction's licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to those of Texas, or

  2. There is a reciprocity agreement between that jurisdiction and the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE).