Architect CE Requirements by State
Every state has different rules for architecture license renewal. Find your state's continuing education hours, HSW requirements, renewal deadlines, and licensing board — all in one place.
PDHhub gives you unlimited access to AIA-approved courses to meet any state's requirements under one annual membership.
Find Your State's Requirements
Click any state to see its full CE requirements, deadlines, licensing board, and tips for staying compliant. Green states have active CE requirements; gray states have none.
Hover to preview • Click any state for full requirements
AIA Continuing Education Requirements
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) requires all Architect and International Associate members to complete 18 Learning Units (LUs) annually from AIA/CES-registered providers. Of those 18 LUs, 12 must be Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) credits.
Architect Emeritus members must complete just 1 LU annually. Associate members have no minimum requirement but are strongly encouraged to pursue continuing education for career advancement.
One hour of continuing education equals one Learning Unit. AIA maintains a transcript service that most state licensing boards accept as verification. However, state licensing boards may have requirements that differ from or go beyond AIA's membership requirements — always confirm with your specific state board.
PDHhub provides access to AIA-registered CE courses covering building systems, codes, accessibility, sustainability, professional ethics, and much more — all available under one unlimited annual membership.
Understanding Architect CE Requirements
Continuing education requirements for architects vary significantly from state to state. Some states require just 8 hours per year (Nevada), while New York requires 36 hours every three years. Understanding the differences — renewal cycles, HSW ratios, carryover rules, and topic-specific mandates — is critical to staying compliant.
PDHhub makes it simple: one membership gives you unlimited access to courses that satisfy CE requirements across all states where licensed architects must complete continuing education.
Annual vs. Biennial Renewal
Many states renew licenses annually (Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas), while most others operate on a two-year cycle. New York uniquely uses a three-year renewal period. Always check whether your cycle is based on the calendar year or your licensure date.
HSW Credit Requirements
Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) credits are the most commonly mandated CE category for architects. Most states require that a significant portion — sometimes all — of your required CE hours be in HSW topics, which include building codes, fire safety, structural integrity, accessibility, and environmental health.
Specialty Topic Mandates
Several states go beyond general HSW requirements. California mandates Disability Access and Zero Net Carbon Design hours. Texas requires barrier-free design and energy-efficient design credits. Illinois now requires high wind and natural disaster-focused design training. Minnesota requires professional ethics credits specifically.
Carryover Credit Rules
Some states allow excess CE credits to carry over to the next renewal period, but many do not. Alaska allows up to 12 LU carryover. Idaho allows 6 HSW carryover. Kansas allows up to 15 LU. New York allows 6 CEU carryover. Always verify your state's carryover policy before banking on excess credits.
First Renewal Exemptions
Many states waive CE requirements for your first license renewal — particularly if you were licensed less than 12 or 24 months before your renewal date. States with this provision include Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
States With No CE Requirement
A handful of states and territories currently have no mandatory continuing education requirement for licensed architects: Arizona, Maine, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands. However, AIA membership requirements still apply regardless of state law.
Browse All States
Click any state below to view its complete CE requirements, deadlines, and licensing board details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do AIA Learning Units relate to state CE requirements?
What are HSW credits and why do states require them?
Can I use the same courses for multiple state licenses?
Do online CE courses count for architecture license renewal?
What happens if I miss my CE deadline?
How does PDHhub help me meet my state's requirements?
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