The American Institute of Architects - California Licensing Requirements, MCE Requirements by Location

California Licensing Requirements

California Architects Board
Douglas McCauley
2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 105
Sacramento, CA 95834
916-574-7220
916-575-7283 Fax

Note: The general information shown below is intended for the benefit of AIA members.
For verification of a specific state’s mandatory continuing education (MCE) requirement, please contact the state licensing board directly.

Report Date	Total Hours Annually	HSW Hours Annually	Distance Learning Accepted	Teaching Credit Accepted	Committee Credit Accepted	Self-Study Accepted	Of Special Note
Renewal Date	5/2 years						All hours must be in disability access requirements.

The amount of coursework hours required to renew a license will be phased in beginning with 1 hour, then 2 1/2 hours, eventually requiring 5 hours every renewal cycle (two years) for all licensees (see text of Business and Professions Code section 5600). More information below.

Here is the new language in the Architects Practice Act – the new language is represented by the bold italicized text.

Business and Professions Code Section 5600 as amended by SB 1608

5600. (a) All licenses issued or renewed under this chapter shall expire at 12 midnight on the last day of the birth month of the licenseholder in each odd-numbered year following the issuance or renewal of the license.

(b) To renew an unexpired license, the licenseholder shall, before the time at which the license would otherwise expire, apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board and pay the renewal fee prescribed by this chapter.

(c) The renewal form shall include a statement specifying whether the licensee was convicted of a crime or disciplined by another public agency during the preceding renewal period and that the licensee's representations on the renewal form are true, correct, and contain no material omissions of fact, to the best knowledge and belief of the licensee.

(d) (1) As a condition of license renewal, a licensee shall have completed coursework regarding disability access requirements pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3). A licensee shall certify to the board, as a part of the license renewal process, that he or she has completed the required coursework prior to approval of his or her license renewal and shall provide documentation from the course provider that shall include the course title, subjects covered, name of provider and trainer or educator, date of completion, number of hours completed, and a statement about the trainer or educator's knowledge and experience background.

(2) (A) For licenses renewed on and after July 1, 2009, and before January 1, 2010, a licensee shall have completed one hour of coursework.

(B) For licenses renewed on and after January 1, 2010, and before January 1, 2011, a licensee shall have completed two and one-half hours of coursework.

(C) For licenses renewed on and after January 1, 2011, a licensee shall have completed five hours of coursework within the previous two years.

(3) Coursework regarding disability access requirements shall include information and practical guidance concerning requirements imposed by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336; 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.), state laws that govern access to public facilities, and federal and state regulations adopted pursuant to those laws. Coursework provided pursuant to this paragraph shall be presented by trainers or educators with knowledge and expertise in these requirements. The board shall require that a licensee certify that he or she has satisfied the requirements of this subdivision as a condition of license renewal.