Education and Experience Requirements
Preparing for the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE)
Licensure by Comity/Reciprocity
Continuing Education Requirements
Visit the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) website for assistance locating an accredited education program in architecture.
Education and Experience Requirements
Licensure as an architect involves completing the three main components, which are education, experience and examinations. Normally, an individual must have earned an accredited professional degree in architecture and completed the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Intern Development Program (IDP) prior to being eligible to apply for licensure as an architect. Upon approval of the application by the Board and passing the South Dakota take home exam on laws and rules, the individual is licensed as an architect and may begin to legally practice the profession of architecture.
Applicants should refer to Blue Book, Page 14 (covering South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 36-18A-27) and the Blue Book, Page 33 (covering Administrative Rule of South Dakota (ARSD) 20:38:30:01) for specific information regarding education requirements for licensure as an Architect. Applicants should refer to the Blue Book, Page 14 (covering SDCL 36-18A-27) and Page 35 (covering ARSD 20:38:30:01 and 20:38:30:02) for specific information regarding experience requirements for licensure as an Architect.
Please visit our Fees Web page for information on fees involved in licensure of architects.
Application for Registration - to be completed after passing the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE) Exam
Please visit our Forms and Applications Web page for any additional forms needed.
Preparing for the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE)
Visit the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) website for information on and resources for taking the ARE.
Licensure by Comity/Reciprocity
Before providing or offering to provide any architectural services on projects located in South Dakota, you must be licensed in South Dakota. In order to apply for licensure, you will need to complete and submit the forms listed below. Refer to the Blue Book, Pages 41-42 (covering ARSD 20:38:34) for specific information regarding comity licensure requirements.
Comity/Reciprocity Application (can be completed online)
Comity Reference Form (in Adobe .pdf format*) (Must be completed by your references, and then submitted to the Board, if such references showing experience gained under direct supervision of licensed architects are not already contained in a NCARB record being submitted to the Board.)
Due Dates for Comity/Reciprocity Applications
The completed application form, along with all of the required supporting documentation, must be received by the Board office by the following deadline for consideration at the respective Board meeting.
January 1 for January Board meeting
March 1 for March Board meeting
May 1 for May Board meeting
July 1 for July Board meeting
September 1 for September Board meeting
November 1 for November Board meeting
Continuing Education Requirements
Individual licensees are expected to maintain their professional competency by participating in continuing education activities throughout their practicing career. Generally, licensees are expected to earn a minimum of 30 professional development hours (PDH) during each two years of licensure and demonstrate their compliance with this minimum requirement by submitting a "PDH log" showing their completed continuing education activities at the time of renewing their individual license. A maximum of 10 PDH can be earned in professional management subjects, with the balance being earned in technical subjects relating to their architectural practice. As an alternative, individual licensees may earn a minimum of 12 continuing education hours (CEH) per calendar year.
Individual licensees should refer to the Blue Book, Page 17 (covering SDCL 36-18A-39) and Pages 42-45 (covering ARSD 20:38:35:01-10) for specific information regarding continuing professional development requirements for maintaining licensure as an Architect
Continuing Education Providers
Visit the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) website as well as the American Institute of Architects (AIA) website for information on providers of continuing education for architects. Please note these links are provided as a service to licensees. It is not an endorsement from the South Dakota Board of Technical Professions. The Board does NOT pre-approve courses for those organizations offering continuing education/Professional Development Hours (PDH). Licensees should take only those courses that meet Board requirements and are pertinent to the architecture profession.
Professional Development Hours Log
Professional Development Hours (PDH) Log -
Choose [Adobe .pdf format*] or [Microsoft Excel format]
Contact Us
2040 W. Main Street, Suite 304
Rapid City, SD 57702-2447
Phone: 605.394.2510
Fax: 605.394.2509
email: sdbtp@state.sd.us
Mark Humphreys, Executive Director
email Mark
Kathryn Patterson, Senior Secretary
email Kathryn
Susan Neuf, Secretary
email Susan
*Opening and printing Adobe .pdf files requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here as needed to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501-2291
Tel. 605.773.3101
Fax. 605.773.6184
