Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects

Applicants must read and understand the APELSCIDLA Board Regulations. Application fees are not refundable. 

DPOR Boards only accept the most recent versions of the applications provided below. DPOR Boards are not responsible for processing delays associated with forms that do not conform to this requirement. 

• Go to: Most Requested Forms (address change, criminal conviction reporting, certification request, etc.) 

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Architect  
 

Professional Engineer (PE) and Engineer-in-Training (EIT)
 

Land Surveyor (LS), Land Surveyor B (LS-B), and Surveyor-in-Training (SIT)
 

Surveyor Photogrammetrist (SP)
 

Certified Interior Designer (CID) 
 

Landscape Architect (LA)
 

Business Registration

     NOTE: To register LLC (Limited Liability Company), use the Business Entity Application. 
 

*Adobe Interactive PDFs allow you to type your information into the form and save a copy on your computer for your personal records. You must print, sign, and return the application to the address provided on the form.

Adobe Reader version 9.0 or later is required for interactive PDFs. (Some versions of Adobe Acrobat 8.0 or older will cause errors when using the interactive PDF.) Download the current Adobe Reader to view and print.

NOTE: If Adobe Acrobat software is already installed on your computer, make sure to open interactive PDF files using Adobe Reader.

Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by registering here.

• APELSCIDLA Board Regulations (PDF) | online  
  • Pending regulatory action (proposed changes, public hearings, etc.)
• APELSCIDLA Board Statutes (Chapter 4 of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia)
  • Relevant Professional Corporations statute (Section 13.1-549 of the Code of Virginia)
  • Relevant Professional LLC statute (Section 13.1-1111 of the Code of Virginia)
• Guidance Documents on Virginia Regulatory Town Hall 
  • Letter RE: Surveying Entire Parcels (07/11/18)
  • Memo RE: Alterations/Edits to Sealed Work (12/19/17)
  • Memo RE: Use of Topographic Surveys, Orthographic Maps, or Other Geospatial Data (09/15/15)

Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by registering here.

The Virginia Regulatory Town Hall provides access to the board's meeting schedule, agendas, and past meeting minutes.

Visit the Town Hall: https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/Meetings.cfm?BoardID=7

NCEES is seeking engineering and surveying professionals to participate in a content review for the Fundamentals exams (FE and FS). Learn more at https://ncees.org/news/.

Examinations

Architects* | Professional Engineers | Land Surveyors | Certified Interior Designers | Landscape Architects  

 * NCARB Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) candidates will be able to schedule online-proctored appointments in mid-November 2020. Please visit Online (or remote) proctoring for further information. 

Whether you plan on testing in-person or online, please see NCARB's proctoring launch announcement. 

Continuing Education

Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Landscape Architects must attest to completion of 16 hours of continuing education in order to renew or reinstate their licenses. For more information, please review 18 VAC 10-20-683 of the APELSCIDLA Board Regulations.

Apprenticeship

Land Surveyor Apprenticeship Standards 

Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by registering here.

Board News

• Commemorative Centennial Book: APELSCIDLA Board 1920-2020 
• Gubernatorial proclamation recognizing APELSCIDLA Board Centennial (June 2020)

News Releases

• View archive news releases

GENERAL INFORMATION FAQS

Question: Where can I find the Board regulations?

Answer: The Board regulations may be found here online | pdf

Question: I’m already licensed, do I still have to take an exam?

Answer: The Exam on Board Regulations is required of all applicants for license or certification. It will be provided to you by email upon receipt of your application. Your license will not be issued until the exam and all other application and eligibility requirements are met.

Question: I don’t know three licensed and qualified individuals to provide references for my application. Can this requirement be waived?

Answer: This requirement cannot be waived as it is required by the regulations. You should wait until you are able to meet all of the licensure/examination requirements before submitting your application.

Question: My wall certificate is damaged. How do I replace it?

Answer: Any professional may obtain a replacement for a lost, destroyed or damaged wall certificate upon submission of a department fee of $35. accompanied by a written request indicating that the certificate was lost, destroyed, or damaged. 

Question: May I email my application to the Board?

Answer: No. The Board requires original application documents and the application processing fee. Payments are not accepted via email.

Question: Can I check the status of my application online?

Answer: No.  Please email the Board office at apelscidla@dpor.virginia.gov to check the status of your application.

APELSCIDLA Board
Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23233

Board Office:  (804) 367-8506

Question: I’m a licensed architect that is applying without an NCARB record. What do I need to send?

Answer: Please refer to the application instructions for the required documentation. Please note that if you were initially licensed after Jan. 1, 1998, you MUST have a NAAB-accredited architecture degree and if initially licensed after Jan. 1, 2001, you MUST have completed the NCARB IDP/AXP, even if it was not a requirement of the state you were initially licensed in.

Question: I have a foreign degree. (I’m NCARB certified/have an NCEES record/have been licensed for xx of years) Do I really have to take the TOEFL exam?

Answer: Yes, the TOEFL exam is required for applicants whose college curriculum was not taught in English. You must receive a score of 20 or better on each module of the exam. If your foreign curriculum was taught in English, you may provide official documentation stating that is the case in lieu of the exam.

Question: I had my architecture degree evaluated by EESA and they said it is equivalent to a NAAB-accredited degree. Do I still have to take the TOEFL?

Answer: If your courses were not taught in English, yes, the TOEFL is still required. EESA only evaluates your curriculum, not your ability to communicate in English.

Question: I have a NAAB-accredited architecture degree, but I have not completed AXP. Can I begin taking the ARE?

Answer: Yes, you can begin taking the ARE as long as you are able to provide the other required documentation with your application, including but not limited to verification of your degree, enrollment in AXP, and 3 references on the Board’s form.

EIT & PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER FAQS
 

Question: Can I receive my EIT before graduation?

Answer: No. If you are applying as a student, approval of your application is contingent upon you providing verification of the qualifying degree. You must provide verification after graduation for your designation to be issued.

Question: I have a foreign undergraduate degree, but my graduate degree is accredited. Do you have to send verification of both degrees?

Answer: Unless you are applying as a student, yes. The majority of engineering curriculums are not accredited at the graduate level. You must provide verification of both degrees that are required to complete the application. 

Question: I have a foreign degree. I have an NCEES record and have been licensed for xx years. Do I really have to take the TOEFL exam?

Answer: Yes, the TOEFL exam is required for applicants whose college curriculum was not taught in English. You must receive a score of 20 or better on each module of the exam. If your foreign curriculum was taught in English, you may provide official documentation stating that is the case in lieu of the exam.

Question: I have a foreign degree. Do I need to have my degree evaluated?

Answer: If you do not have a graduate degree in the US then the answer is yes. If your degree is determined to be equivalent to an ABET-accredited degree, four years of experience is required.  If it is determined that your degree is not equivalent, six years of experience will be required. 

Question: Do I need to complete the CREQ form?

Answer: If you have a degree that is not listed as a related science in the definition provided in 18VAC10-20-160, you must complete the form so that the Board can review your curriculum and determine if it meets the requirements of the definition.

Questions:  I have an NCEES Council Record.  Do I still need to submit three references since my council record has five references? 

Answer:   Yes. The Board requires three references submitted on our form by licensed PEs who have known you for at least one year. References may not verify any experience in your NCEES Council Record.
 

LAND SURVEYOR FAQS

Question: Do I need to have a Surveyor-in-Training Designation (SIT) before applying for a land surveyor license?

Answer: Yes. The SIT is required before applying for the land surveyor license.

Question: Can I apply to take the FS and PLS exams at the same time?

Answer: Yes.

Question:  I have been surveying for over 10 years but do not have a degree in land surveying do I qualify for a license?

Answer:  Yes. In order to qualify for a Virginia land surveyor license, you will need:

• SIT designation 
• Official High School/College/University Transcripts show successful completion of courses in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
• Experience Verification Form(s) completed showing at least eight years of approved land surveying experience.
   

Question: What is considered approved land surveying experience?

Answer:  Approved land surveying experience is progressive and diversified training and experience under the direct control and personal supervision of a licensed land surveyor. This experience shall have been acquired in positions requiring the exercise of independent judgment, initiative, and professional skill in the office and field and written verification of such work experience shall be on forms provided by the Board. Experience may be gained either prior to or after education is obtained.

Question: What is the apprentice program?

Answer:  The apprenticeship program combines carefully defined and employer-specific training under the guidance of a highly skilled mentor at the worksite.  On-the-job training is supplemented with related classroom instruction.  Please visit our website to find out more information at:

• https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/boards/APELS/0403-HowLS.pdf

CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNER FAQS
 

Question:  I’m an interior designer/decorator. Do I need to be certified by the Board?

Answer: Certification is not required in order to work as an interior designer in Virginia; however, you may not use the title “Certified Interior Designer” unless certification is obtained.  

Question: I’m NCIDQ certified in another state. What do I need to become certified in Virginia?

Answer: Certification by NCIDQ or another state does not guarantee certification in Virginia. Please review the regulations and application for required education, examination, and experience requirements for certification.
 

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT FAQS

Question: I am licensed in Virginia, and applying for licensure in another state. The other state is requesting verification of my Virginia license. What do I need to do? 

Answer: You may submit the verification request and payment online at myvirginia.dpor.virginia.gov, fax the Certification Request Form and credit card payment to 877-340-9616, or mail the request form with a check or money order for $35.00, made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia. Specify where you would like the certification to be mailed.

Question:  I need to renew my license, but I haven't received my renewal form. What do I need to do?

Answer:  No earlier than 60 days prior to your license expiration, you may complete your renewal online or mail a check or money order payable to the Treasurer of Virginia for the renewal fee and include your license/certificate/registration number in the memo field. Mail this information to: 

APELSCIDLA Board
Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23233

Board Office:  (804) 367-8506

You CANNOT continue to practice in Virginia after your license/certificate/registration has expired.

_{(Please check back periodically as we modify transactions in the future.)}
 

Apply for a new license/designation

Architect (0401) 

• First-time Exam Applicants Only (Not for Comity Applicants).

Address change

Individual license types only 

• Excludes Engineer-in-Training and Surveyor-in-Training designations

Renew a license

ALL license types  

• Excludes Engineer-in-Training and Surveyor-in-Training designations 

Reinstate an expired license

Architect (0401)

Professional Engineer (0402) 

Businesses and Branch Offices  

• License expired less than five (5) years - Individuals only

Go to Online Services