board of Architecture and Interior Design

The Board of Architecture and Interior Design is responsible for licensing and regulating architects and interior designers. The board meets regularly to consider applications for licensure, to review disciplinary cases, and to conduct informal hearings relating to licensure and discipline. The board engages in rulemaking to implement the provisions set forth in its statutes and conducts other general business, as necessary.

Important Information (Hot Topics)

2013 Audit Information

-------------------------------------------------------------

Architect Examination Candidates

Important changes to the exam process will begin July 1, 2013

NCARB is launching a new exam portal which will allow easy access to your exam history, rolling clock dates, new score reports and authorization to test information.

>   No exams will be scheduled or administered for July 1, 2013 or later until the blackout period ends. The blackout period will last at least eight weeks.
>   State boards cannot enter/create exam eligibilities during the blackout period.
>   A 12 week rolling clock extension will be granted to all candidates, post-blackout.
>   Plan ahead by reviewing your exams to see how the blackout period will impact you.
>   Make note of your candidate ID and authorization to test numbers prior to June 30, 2013.
>   Make sure your NCARB Record is active. Post-blackout you will schedule future exams and access score reports through your Record.

All exam divisions passed prior to January 1, 2006 that were exempt from the rolling clock will expire on July 1, 2014. You must complete all divisions of the ARE by July 1, 2014 to avoid those exempted divisions from expiring. No extension to this deadline will be granted.

Please visit the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARBs) web site for up to date information regarding the 2013 Black Out for the New ARE System and Changes to the Exam Process in 2013.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Interior Design Examination Candidates

The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination is changing 2013. Please visit NCIDQ’s web site for up to date information regarding the 2013 changes to NCIDQ examination.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Architect – Effective March 1, 2013

Changes to the continuing education requirements for the 2015 renewal

-------------------------------------------------------------

Student PSA Film Contest

DBPR and AIA Florida are excited to announce the winners of their co-sponsored architecture student video contest. Seventeen videos were entered from students around the state, and three teams produced the best videos about the importance of consumers hiring a licensed architect.

Team Musgrave/Usbeck from Florida International University came in first place, receiving a grand prize of $500. The two runners up were Team M&K Production and Team Drescher/Arroyave, both also from Florida International University. The runners up received $250 each. The winning videos can be found online at http://www.youtube.com/user/FloridaDBPR.

-------------------------------------------------------------

2013 Renewal Information

Qualifier and Responsible Supervisor Information/Consolidation Form

-------------------------------------------------------------

Changes effective July 1, 2012 - Initial Licensure by Examination/NCARB Direct Registration

-------------------------------------------------------------

HB 517 was approved by Governor Rick Scott on April 6, 2012 and reduces the continuing education required to activate an inactive license. You now only have to complete one renewal cycle of continuing education instead of completing continuing education for all the renewal cycles your license was in an inactive status. Applicants will need to provide proof of completing the continuing education requirements in effect at the last renewal date immediately prior to their application. Those requirements include 20 hours of continuing education.  Of those 20 hours; 14 hours must be in the category of health, safety, and welfare courses, 2 hours must be in the category of the Florida Building Code advanced courses, and 4 hours can be optional courses or health, safety, and welfare courses.  Locate courses at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Our Businesses and Professions > Find a CE Course.

Board Information

The Board of Architecture and Interior Design consists of 11 members: 5 architects, 3 interior designers and 3 consumer members.

Apply to be a board member

Board Meeting Information

Declaratory Statements

License Information

Definition of Occupation and Class Codes

License Categories:
Architect
Interior Designer
Business Entity

Methods of Licensure:
By Endorsement - Yes
By Examination - Yes
By Reciprocity - No
Business Entity - Yes

Applicant Information

Application/Licensure Fees
A breakdown of application and licensure fees is provided with application packets.

Examination Information - Architects
The Architecture Registration Examination (ARE) is a 7-part computerized national examination given 6 days a week at Sylvan Learning Centers nationwide. For the total fee for this examination, please visit www.ncarb.org.

Effective July 1, 2012 – Direct Registration through NCARB
Examination candidates no longer apply to the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design to be admitted to the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE). Examination candidates that meet Florida licensure requirements will apply directly to NCARB to begin taking the ARE.
Please click the link below for additional information:
Initial Licensure by Examination/NCARB Direct Registration

This does not apply to examination candidates that were approved by the Florida Board and were taking the ARE prior to July 1, 2012. Examination candidates currently testing will continue to receive their grades from the Florida Board and must complete NCARB IDP prior to licensure.

Examination Information - Interior Designers
The National Council for Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ) examination is a 3-part examination offered in April and October each year. For the total fee for this examination, please visit www.ncidq.org. To be approved for examination you must submit a Florida Interior Design Examination Application package to the department. Please click on “Apply For/Update Licenses” to apply online or download the application.

Interior Design Education - Interior Design Programs or Curricula Approved by the Board

Exam Review / Hearing Information

Special Accommodations for Testing - ADA

Information for Licensees

Biennial License Renewal Fee
Architect = $125
Interior Designer = $125
Business Entity = $125
The fees above include a $5 unlicensed activity fee.

Continuing Education Requirement
Both architects and interior designers are required to complete 20 hours of educational instruction or training, in subjects or courses approved by the Board, each biennium prior to the license expiration date. A minimum of 16 hours must be in technical and professional subjects related to safeguarding life, health, property and promoting the public welfare.

Advanced Course Requirement
Licensees are required to obtain a minimum of 2 hours of continuing education by completing an approved provider’s specialized or advanced course, approved by the Florida Building Commission, on the Florida Building Code, relating to the licensee’s respective area of practice for future renewals. Licensees are advised to verify the course validity before attending the course.

Important Notice Regarding Online CE History

Architecture Continuing Education Handbook & Forms

Interior Design Continuing Education Handbook & Forms

Continuing Education Information
The Bureau of Education and Testing is responsible for the management of continuing education providers and courses. Below are shortcuts to their continuing education pages.
  • Continuing education main page
  • Continuing education policy
  • List of continuing education providers and courses, and hours required
  • Information for providers/instructors

Reporting requirement for criminal convictions
As of October 1, 2009, Section 455.227(1)(t), Florida Statutes requires all professional licensees to report to the department within 30 days of being convicted or found guilty of, or having plead nolo contendere or guilty to a crime in any jurisdiction.  The statute also requires the reporting of any convictions that occurred prior to October 1, 2009.  A licensee who fails to report that information may be subject to disciplinary action, including fines, suspension or license revocation.  To report this information, complete the criminal self-reporting document and mail it to this address:
Smith, Thompson, Shaw, Minacci & Colón, P.A.
3520 Thomasville Road, 4th Floor
Tallahassee, Florida 32309

Enforcement

To file a complaint
The law firm of Smith, Thompson, Shaw, Minacci & Colón, P.A. investigates and prosecutes the professions of architecture and interior design. To file a complaint pertaining to architecture or interior design, please visit their site at: www.stslaw.com/board-of-architecture-interior-design.

Links and Resources

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)

National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ)

Software to electronically sign and seal documents (PEDDS)