Board of Architects and Landscape Architects

Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation in Montana, all Montana Department of Labor & Industry offices are closed to the public to protect the health and safety of our clients and staff.  Our services are available through remote delivery.  We are available to assist customers through our online public portal at EBIZ.MT.GOV/POL (Professional and Occupational Licenses) and EBIZ.MT.GOV (for Permits). For other services, please contact us via email at DLIBSDWEBHELP@MT.GOV or by phone (406) 841-2300.

Welcome to the Montana Board of Architects and Landscape Architects

Due to the COVID-19 health emergency, all board meetings will be held by conference call.  No outside participants or stakeholders will be allowed access in the building.  Please attend by phone.

New Licensees/Applicants: The board recognizes that the current pandemic has created discord in the normal application, examination, and licensure process. We are striving to address these concerns and potential roadblocks as quickly as possible; however, please understand that this will not occur overnight. The board must continue its public safety mission while adapting to daily changes occurring from the pandemic. This will take time. For now, applicants are encouraged to begin their application for licensure and to complete as much of the required information as possible. Applications remain valid for one (1) year under normal circumstances. If you submit your application and an item is missing, our licensing specialist will work with you to complete the application. We do not deny applicants for submitting an incomplete application. By completing the application’s remaining parts, exempting exams, etc., you can get ahead on the licensure process. 

The board is continuing to monitor the pandemic and will update this website as a point of public communication.  Please make sure your e-mail is up to date in our licensing records using the change address form on the right side of this web-page or e-mailing the help desk at dlibsdhelp@mt.gov

CE Required for all licensed architects        

Starting January 1, 2015, all Montana licensed architects are required to complete 12 hours of HSW CE every calendar year.  This CE requirement is based on a calendar year, running January 1 – December 31 each year.  The CE requirement is established in Board rule ARM 24.114.2105.

Qualified education must be designed to increase or update the knowledge and competence of architects in technical and professional subjects related to the practice of architecture. 

You must retain course completion certificates or other appropriate documentation, verifying course completion, for 6 years.  The Board may conduct annual random audits of up to 50% of licensees for compliance with the CE requirement.

Attention Licenees: New Law in Effect July 1, 2015

The new law allows the board and department to suspend licenses of persons who:

• submit fines or fees without sufficient funds in their account,
• fail to meet continuing education or certification requirements as discovered in an audit,
• fail to comply with a final order of the board, or
• fail to respond to correspondence concerning these matters.

You are cautioned to notify the board office of your current contact information or risk having correspondence not delivered to you and your license administratively suspended without further notice or hearing. More information may be found on the FAQ tab.

The Montana Board of Architects and Landscape Architects makes every effort to include relevant and current information pertaining to licensing and regulation on our website.

Thank you for your interest in contacting the Board of Architects and Landscape Architects.

If you are already licensed, have applied for a license, are about to apply for a license, or are renewing your license from the Board of Architects and Landscape Architects:

Professional Licensing Customer Service:

(406) 444-6880

DLIBSDHELP@MT.GOV

If you have scope of practice questions or comments for the Board of Architects and Landscape Architects:

Grace Berger, Executive Officer

(406) 841-2244

DLIBSDARC@MT.GOV

If you have questions about continuing education:

(406) 444-5696

AUDIT@MT.GOV

If you have questions about filing a complaint against a licensee:

(406) 841-2312

DLIBSDCOMPLAINTS@MT.GOV

If you have questions about the Architect Exam Direct Registration Program:

(202) 879-0520

 CUSTOMERSERVICE@NCARB.ORG

Board meetings are usually held 4 times a year.
Meeting minutes are posted within 3 days of board approval.

In general, Board meetings are open to the public.
There are certain meetings or parts (Screening Panel and Executive Session), which are closed to the public.

Board members are appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation.
Members serve 3 year terms with no limit on the number of terms a member may serve.

Individual Board Members can be contacted by email at dlibsdarc@mt.gov. In your message please specify which board member you would like to contact. For additional contact information and information on board member terms, please visit the Governor’s Office link for Board Members and Councils at http://boards.mt.gov/.

Fiscal Years 2016-2017: Professional and Occupational Licensing Report

To obtain an Architect License in the State of Montana, you must apply by one of the following methods:

Please click here for the checklist for Architect by Exam
• Initial Licensure by Exam
• Reapplication of a Terminated Montana License

Please click here for the checklist for by Architect by Credential
• Licensure by Credential

A. Application Fee:

• Initial Licensure by Exam Fee: $80.00
• Reapplication of an terminated Montana license: $180.00
• Licensure by Credentialing: $180.00

B. Examination:

To qualify to sit for the ARE as a Montana candidate you must:

• Establish a NCARB record
• Be enrolled In the AXP (formerly referred to as the IDP)
• Hold a degree in architecture from a NAAB accredited school of architecture

To register for the ARE as a Montana candidate, you will use the on-line NCARB Direct Registration Program. Once NCARB has determined that you are qualified to sit for the ARE as a Montana candidate, they will notify you of your eligibility to test.

C.  Experience Requirement:

The Board requires completion of the NCARB AXP (formerly referred to as the IDP) in meeting the experience requirement for licensure.

The Board also has an agreement with Canada concerning reciprocity.  Please see the requirements below:

Montana NCARB Canada Agreement

D. Licensure:

In order to obtain a Montana Initial Architect License by Exam, you must:

• Complete the AXP (formerly known as the IDP) experience requirement;
• Pass all parts of the ARE; and
• Obtain a complete NCARB record.

In order to obtain an Architect License by Reapplication of a Terminated Montana License you must

• Hold a current NCARB Certificate.

In order to obtain an Architect License by Credential, you must:

• Hold a current NCARB Certificate

E. Continuing Education Requirements:  Board rules require all licensed Architects to complete 12 hours of HSW CE each calendar year (January 1-December 31). No more than 25% of each course may be devoted to other than health, safety, and welfare subjects related to the practice of architecture.

CE is not required for architects renewing their license for the first time or those granted emeritus status.

F. Renewal Schedule:  Architects Renewal Dates: May 1 - June 30
Late Renew Online for 45 days until Aug. 14

G. Renewal Fees: Active  $55                                                                                    Late Renewal - Additional $55 

To apply for a Landscape Architect license in the State of Montana, you must provide a complete application and all necessary documentation.

 License Application fee: $325.00

Please click here for the Landscape Architect by Exam checklist.

To obtain an initial Montana Landscape Architect license by exam, you must:

    • pass all parts of the LARE; and
    • obtain a complete CLARB record, including verification of meeting the education and experience requirement; or
    • provide evidence of meeting the education and experience requirements outlined in ARM 24.114.1402.

Please click here for the Landscape Architect by Endorsement checklist.

To obtain an initial Montana Landscape Architect license by endorsement, you must:

    • Provide verification of passing the LARE from CLARB; and

    • Provide verification of current CLARB record OR verificaiton of licensure in another jurisdiction, including the education and experience requirement for licensing and statute and rules outlining jurisdiction licensing requirements.

Examination

If you have a LAAB or LAAC accredited degree, you DO NOT complete the Exam Approval Request Application but go directly to CLARB to begin your CLARB record and register for the exam.

To qualify to sit for the LARE as a Montana candidate you must:

    • have either an LAAB or LAAC accredited degree to start your CLARB record directly with CLARB ; or
    • file the Exam Approval Request Application (and fee) for Board authorization to sit for the exam. Once you receive Board authorization, you will start your CLARB record and register for the exam.

Education and Experience for Licensure

To qualify for licensure, you must meet one of these education and experience combinations established by board rule. Make sure you review Board rules to determine current experience criteria.

    • A LAAB or LAAC accredited degree and two years of practical experience in landscape architecture;
    • A non-accredited landscape architecture degree and three years of practical experience in landscape architecture;
    • A bachelor’s degree in other than landscape architecture and four years of practical experience in landscape architecture;
    • An associate’s degree and six years of practical experience in landscape architecture; or
    • No post-secondary education and eight years of practical experience in landscape architecture.

A year is defined as 2000 hours. Two thirds of the experience must be under the direct supervision of a landscape architect. The remaining hours may be under the direct supervision of a licensed civil engineer, licensed architect, or a city planner certified by a nationally recognized certifying body.

Practical experience is a diversity of experience directly related to landscape architecture.

Renewal Schedule:  Annual Renewal
Regular Renewal dates: May 1 - June 30

Renewal Fees: Active $250                                                                                               Late Renewal Fee - additional $250                         

License Renewal System

Active Architects and Landscape Architects

Architects - Annual Renewal
Regular Renewal dates: May 1 - June 30
 

Landscape Architects - Annual Renewal
Regular Renewal dates: May 1 - June 30
 

All of the Statutes and Rules listed here are applicable to this board.

Statutes are laws passed by the Legislature. All changes in statutes must go through the legislative process and be passed into law before they become effective. Title 37, Chapter 1, Part 3 is the Uniform Regulatory Act passed by the Legislature in 1995. All professional and occupational licensing is covered in these statutes.

Administrative Rules pertaining to architecture and landscape architecture are written and adopted by the Board of Architects and Landscape Architects. The Board writes rules in order to administer the laws over which the Legislature has given the Board authority. Rules can be changed by going through the rule-making procedure. They do not go through the Legislative process. The Board of Architects and Landscape Architects continuously reviews rules to determine needed changes.

The Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) at this site contain what should be the same text as the official version published by the Office of the Secretary of State. There is a possibility, however, that the content may vary from the official version. In addition, the format has been changed for viewing on this web site. A copy of the official ARM in official format can be obtained from the ARM Bureau of the Office of the Secretary of State, by emailing at SOSARM@mt.gov

For web version of the ARM published by the Secretary of State can be viewed at Secretary of State's Administrative Rules of Montana.

• Chapter 114 - Board of Architects and Landscape Architects

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• Chapter 24 - Labor and Industry

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• Chapter 101 - Business Standards Division

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MONTANA ADMINISTRATIVE REGISTER (MAR) 24-101-308

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 24.101.417 registration for out-of-state volunteer professionals

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT (published May 29, 2020)

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT (effective July 25, 2020)

MONTANA ADMINISTRATIVE REGISTRY (MAR) 24-114-38

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 24.114.503 licensure of applicants registered in another state and 24.114.1404 landscape architect licensure by endorsement

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT

NOTICE OF ADOPTON OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT

Architects and Landscape Architects

• Title 2 Chapter 15 Part 17 - Board of Architects
• Title 37 Chapter 65 -Architecture

• Title 2 Chapter 15 Part 17 - Board of Landscape Architects
• Title 37 Chapter 66 - Landscape Architects

General Forms

• Architect Seal Information
• Landscape Architect Seal Information
• Complaint Process Brochure
• Complaint Form

Renewal Forms

• Architect Renewal Form
• Landscape Architect Renewal Form
• Renew Online

License Application Forms

• Architect by Credentialing
• Architect by Exam
• Landscape Architect
• Landscape Architect Exam
• Emeritus Application

Continuing Education Forms

Filing a Complaint

There are TWO Types of Licensure Verification Requests:

1). Licensees for any profession can be verified by using Licensee Lookup.
This website provides real-time connectivity to the Business Standards Licensing Database.  There is no charge for this service.

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2). To request an official Montana license verification be sent to another state licensing board, jurisdiction or individual for license confirmation status in the State of Montana. The fee for this is $20.00 per verification requested.

Once the fee and official license verification form are received, the request will be processed and mailed within 5 days.

A committee made up of two members from the Board of Architects and two members from the Professional Engineers & Professional Land Surveyors was formed to discuss areas of mutual interests, mainly "Incidental Practice" and to also strengthen the relationship between the boards. The committee had been working on an informational brochure intended for public awareness titled “ The Professional Use of Seals”. The brochure was completed in December 2005.

• American Institute of Architects
• Montana Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
• National Architectural Accrediting Board
• National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
• Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards
• American Society of Landscape Architects
• Idaho/Montana Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects