licensing 101 how to obtain your initial license in california architecture is an innovative and creative profession from college to completing educational requirements exams and applications the pata licensure can take five to eight years but is very rewarding to practice architecture and provide architectural services in the united states you must hold a license from the jurisdiction where you practice and each jurisdiction requires a separate license california candidates must complete the following eight steps to become licensed step one education a candidate may possess a degree in architecture from a program accredited by the national architectural accrediting board naab graduate from an integrated path to architectural licensure program ipa-l possess a degree from a non-accredited program or solely document training or work experience step 2 establish a record establish a record with the national council of architectural registration boards ncarb and select california as the jurisdiction for initial licensure your ncarb record is a verified account of your professional history that partially demonstrates your qualifications for licensure step 3 apply with the board apply with the california architects board cab by completing an application for eligibility evaluation and mailing it with the application processing fee applications must have an original signature but electronic signatures may be accepted in the future step 4 pass the architect registration examination a-r-e california requires you to pass each ari division within the five-year rolling clock period candidates can schedule are divisions through their ncarb my examination account step 5 gain and document required experience all u.s jurisdictions accept the architectural experience program axp but some may require additional experience you must request ncarb transmit your ncarb record to cab which includes the axp history after completing the are step 6 complete the california supplemental examination cse complete the california supplemental examination cse by submitting a cse application and fee with an original signature to cab a csc application is mailed once completion of axp and passing the aree are confirmed through ncarb this application will only be provided to eligible candidates directly by cab step 7 after passing the cse apply for licensure after passing the csc candidates are eligible to apply for licensure as an architect in california to apply candidates must apply for licensure and pay the required fee you can also refer to the initial license fee calculator step 8 submit a set of fingerprints candidates for licensure are required to provide a complete set of fingerprints via live scan or if out of state through a fingerprinting card available at local law enforcement agencies or through cab a criminal background check is conducted by the california department of justice and the federal bureau of investigations cab recommends candidates submit their fingerprints upon first being informed of eligibility for the cse to reduce the delay in licensure to find out more about the profession and its services visit the board's website at www.cab.ca.gov [Music]