Become an architect

To become an architect in the U.S., you must earn a license from the licensing board of the state or territory (jurisdiction) where you plan to practice. There is no national license, and each of the 55 U.S. jurisdictions sets its own licensure requirements, typically involving a combination of education, experience, and examination.

Licensure requirements vary based on the type of license:

Initial License: Your first U.S. architecture license, typically earned through examination.
Reciprocal License: If you're already licensed in one jurisdiction, you may be able to use your existing qualifications to earn a license in another jurisdiction through endorsement, reciprocity, or comity.