West Virginia Architect FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about West Virginia architect licensing and continuing education.

West Virginia Architect Renewal

License Renewal Deadline: June 30th, annually

Continuing Education Deadline: December 31st, annually

State Required Continuing Education: 12 hrs in HSW subjects

AIA Membership Continuing Education: 18 hrs annually, including 12 HSW

See West Virginia AIA Courses

Renewing Your License:

How do I renew my West Virginia architect license?

  1. Complete 12 HSW hours of continuing education
  2. Use the electronic notification sent to you by June 1st to renew or use the Paper Renewal Form
    You must pay a $75 renewal fee.

What are the West Virginia continuing education requirements for architects?

Architects in West Virginia are required to complete 12-hours HSW of continuing education by December 31st annually. Licenses are renewed by June 30th annually.

I have extra West Virginia architect continuing education hours, can I apply them to the next renewal cycle?

No, learning units must be completed in their respective cycle.

Who notifies West Virginia of my completed architect continuing education?

Licensees will not be required to send in proof of continuing education activities to the Department when renewing a license. However, a licensee must maintain records of continuing education hours earned for audit purposes. Architects Training Institute will store your continuing education records for 6-years at no additional cost.

Do I need to complete continuing education requirements for my AIA membership?

Yes, as an Architect member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), 18 learning unit hours are required per calendar-year for membership renewal. Of these 18 hours, at least 12 hours must be in subjects designated as Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW).

Are AIA approved classes accepted to renew my West Virginia architect license?

Yes.

My West Virginia architect registration has lapsed, how do I reinstate it?

You may renew your license normally but you will have to pay an additional late fee.

  • $150 if your license has been expired less than 6 months
  • $250 if your license has been expired more than 6 months

Getting a License:

How do I obtain an West Virginia architect license?

You may obtain a license in West Virginia by becoming NCARB Certified, holding a license in another state, or completing an initial registration application. Information about all three avenues can be found here: https://brdarch.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Does West Virginia offer architect reciprocity?

Yes, architects registered in another jurisdiction may apply for reciprocal licensing. More information can be found here: https://brdarch.wv.gov/architects/Pages/Reciprocity-with-Another-Jurisdiction.aspx

State Contact Info:

West Virginia Board of Architects
405 Capitol Street,
Mezzanine Suite 3
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 558-1406
Fax: (304) 558-1407
https://brdarch.wv.gov/

Once I order the course, how long before I can start?

You may begin immediately! Simply click the Login button in the upper right-hand corner on your desktop or in the upper-right menu on mobile. Once you’ve entered your login and password, you will be taken to your courses. Follow the instructions and enjoy!

Once I start an online course, will I be able to start and stop at anytime?

Our courses are available online 24/7 and you are able to log in and log out at any time during the course. If you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10-15 minutes, simply log out. When you log back in, you will be able to re-enter the lesson you were last in.

How long do your continuing education courses take to complete?

Continuing education requirements vary by state. Each course lists a minimum number of credit hours required to complete the course.

How long do I have access to the courses?

We allow up to 6 months for you to complete the courses. During the six months you have unlimited, 24/7 access. If you need additional time, please contact our offices to arrange an extension (please note: a fee may apply).

Are there tests or quizzes in the courses?

Some states do require quizzes, these will be found at the end of lessons. You cannot fail a quiz, though, as you may take it as many times as required to pass!

Once I complete a course, can I still go back and review the lessons?

You are able to review the lessons at any time during the six months you’ll have access to the courses.