ARC 0070D

ARC 0070D

ARCHITECTURAL EXAMINING BOARD[193B]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rulemaking related to licensure and providing an opportunity for public comment

    The Architectural Examining Board hereby proposes to amend Chapter 2, “Licensure,” Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

    This rulemaking is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 544A.29.

State or Federal Law Implemented

    This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapter 544A.

Purpose and Summary

     This proposed rulemaking establishes the minimum standards for architecture licensure, including the process for initial licensure, renewal, and reinstatement. These requirements ensure public safety by ensuring that any individual who holds a license has minimum competency. The proposed amendments allow for an individual who does not have a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)-accredited degree to be eligible for initial licensure in Iowa.

Regulatory Analysis

    A Regulatory Analysis for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on October 29, 2025. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

     ?   November 18, 2025

Fiscal Impact

     This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

    After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

    Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 481—Chapter 6.

Public Comment

     Any interested person may submit written or oral comments concerning this proposed rulemaking, which must be received by the Board no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 10, 2026. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

     No public hearing is scheduled at this time. As provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)“b,” an oral presentation regarding this rulemaking may be demanded by 25 interested persons, a governmental subdivision, the Administrative Rules Review Committee, an agency, or an association having 25 or more members.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

    The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

    The following rulemaking action is proposed:

    ITEM 1.  Amend rule 193B—2.1(544A,17A) as follows:

193B—2.1(544A,17A) Definitions. The following definitions apply as used in Iowa Code chapter 544A, and this chapter of the architectural examining board rules, unless the context otherwise requires.

    “Applicant” means an individual who has submitted an application for licensure to the board.

“Approved education program” means a degree accredited by an organization that provides an accreditation system for architecture programs or education deemed equivalent by the board to the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Education Standard that has been evaluated and found to be an equivalent standard based on the NCARB Alternatives to Education Requirement as identified in the NCARB Certification Guidelines demonstration of successful completion of an Education Evaluation Services for Architects.

    “Architectural intern” or “intern architect” means an individual who holds a professional degree from a NAAB-accredited program or the equivalent as deemed by the board has completed or is completing an approved education program, has completed or is currently enrolled in the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) NCARB Architectural Experience Program (AXP), and intends to actively pursue licensure by completing the Architect Registration Examination.

    “ARE” means the current Architect Registration Examination, as prepared and graded by the NCARB.

    “AXP applicant” means an individual who has completed the AXP training requirements set forth in the NCARB Architectural Experience Program Guidelines and has submitted an application for licensure to the board.

    “Examination” means the current Architect Registration Examination (ARE) accepted by the board.

    “Inactive” means that an architect is not engaged in Iowa in any practice for which a certificate of licensure is required, including architects who have retired from active practice.

    “Issuance” means the date of mailing of a decision or order or the date of delivery if service is by other means unless another date is specified in the order.

“NAAB” means the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

    “NCARB” means the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. The NCARB Architect Registration Examination Guidelines, NCARB Architectural Experience Program Guidelines, and NCARB Certification Guidelines are available through the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, 1401 H Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20005; NCARB’s website, www.ncarb.org; or the architectural examining board.

    “NCARB Architect Registration Examination (ARE) Guidelines” means the edition of a document by the same title published by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards in February 2024 April 2025. The document outlines the requirements for examination.

    “NCARB Architectural Experience Program Guidelines” means the edition of a document by the same title published by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards in May 2020 November 2025. The document outlines the requirements for training.

    “NCARB Certification Guidelines” means the edition of a document by the same title published by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards in July 2022. The document outlines the requirements for licensure as an architect.

    “NCARB Education Guidelines” or “NCARB Education Standards” means the edition of a document by the same title published by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards in December 2023. The document outlines the requirements for licensure as an architect.

    ITEM 2.  Amend subrule 2.2(1) as follows:

    2.2(1) Examination Initial licensure. To be eligible for initial licensure by examination, all applicants will have obtained an accredited professional architectural degree from the NAAB, satisfied the architecture education requirements as detailed in paragraph 2.2(1)“a,” have passed all divisions of the ARE prepared and as provided by the NCARB, have completed the NCARB Architectural Experience Program, AXP as detailed in paragraph 2.2(1)“a,” and have attained established an NCARB council record. A completed NCARB council record shall be transmitted to and filed in the board office. Upon receipt of the council record from NCARB, the board will provide the applicant with an application for licensure form, which must be completed and returned to the board within three months of receipt of the council record. The board shall issue a license number to the applicant upon receipt of the completed application form and appropriate fee.

    a.   The education and experience requirements are met when an applicant completes one of the following:

    (1)   A professional degree in architecture from a program that satisfies the NCARB Education Standard or education deemed equivalent by the board and completion of the NCARB AXP one time.

    (2)   A degree from a four-year bachelor degree program that includes at least 60 semester credit hours in architecture-related subjects as referenced in the NCARB Certification Guidelines in the Education Alternative section and completion of the NCARB AXP two times.

    (3)   A two-year associate degree program that includes at least 30 semester credit hours in architecture-related subjects as referenced in the NCARB Certification Guidelines in the Education Alternative section and completion of the NCARB AXP three times.

    (4)   A high school degree or its equivalent and completion of the NCARB AXP four times.

NOTE: To complete each multiple of the NCARB AXP, the candidate must meet the full program requirements for each multiple as defined in the AXP Guidelines. For example, if a candidate is completing the AXP four times, the candidate must document the required number of hours in each experience area four times. Minimum and maximum hours in each experience setting apply.

    a. b.Examinations for licensure as an architect shall be conducted by the board or its authorized representative.

    (1) and (2) No change.

    b. c.Examination admittance requirements.

    (1)   Have completed the eligibility requirements of the education standards for NCARB certification, which include a professional degree from a program accredited by the NAAB or other NCARB-approved education program, or be a student actively participating in an NCARB-accepted Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) option within an NCARB-approved education program.

    (2)   Be enrolled in or have completed the NCARB AXP.

    (1)   An applicant will have established an NCARB record.

    (2)NCARB shall notify the testing service of the applicant’s eligibility prior to the applicant’s scheduling of an examination.

    c. d.AXP eligibility requirements will be verified and satisfied in accordance with the NCARB Architectural Experience Program Guidelines. Documentation of AXP training units will be submitted on AXP report forms published by NCARB and will be verified by signatures of the licensed architects serving as the intern architect’s supervisors in accordance with the requirements outlined in the NCARB Architectural Experience Program Guidelines. The completed AXP report form shall demonstrate attainment of an aggregate of the minimum number of value units in each training area and shall be submitted to NCARB for evaluation.