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  

License Application	Interactive	Static
License Renewal Form	Interactive	Static
Degree Verification Form	Interactive	Static
Experience Verification Form	Interactive	Static
Reference Form	Interactive	Static
Verification of Exam and Licensure Form	Interactive	Static
License Reinstatement Application | Only for licenses that expired less than five years	Interactive	Static

 

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

PE License Application	Interactive	Static
EIT Designation Application	Interactive	Static
PE License Renewal Form	Interactive	Static
PE Reference Form	Interactive	Static
EIT Reference Form	Interactive	Static
PE and EIT Degree Verification Form	Interactive	Static
PE Experience Verification Form | Complete a separate form for each position	Interactive	Static
PE and EIT Verification of Exam and Licensure	Interactive	Static
PE License Reinstatement Application | Only for licenses that expired less than five years	Interactive	Static

 

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

LS License Application	Interactive	Static
LS-B License Application	Interactive	Static
SIT Designation Application	Interactive	Static
LS and LS-B License Renewal Form	Interactive	Static
LS Reference Form	Interactive	Static
LS and SIT Degree Verification Form	Interactive	Static
LS and SIT Experience Verification Form | Complete a separate form for each position	Interactive	Static
LS and SIT Verification of Exam and Licensure	Interactive	Static
LS License Reinstatement Application | Only for licenses that expired less than five years	Interactive	Static
LS-B License Reinstatement Application | Only for licenses that expired less than five years	Interactive	Static
Surveyor Apprenticeship Standards (updated 7/2019)		Static
How to Become a Land Surveyor by Apprenticeship		Static

 

Surveyor Photogrammetrist (SP)

SP License Application	Interactive	Static
SP License Renewal Form	Interactive	Static
SP Degree Verification Form	Interactive	Static
SP Experience Verification Form	Interactive	Static
SP Reference Form	Interactive	Static
SP Verification of Exam and Licensure	Interactive	Static
SP License Reinstatement Application | Only for licenses that expired less than five years	Interactive	Static

 

Certified Interior Designer (CID) 

CID Certificate Application	Interactive	Static
Universal License Recognition - Interior Designer	Interactive	Static
CID Certificate Renewal Form	Interactive	Static
CID Experience Verification Form	Interactive	Static
CID Degree Verification Form	Interactive	Static
CID Verification of Exam and Certification	Interactive	Static
CID Certificate Reinstatement Application | Only for certificates that expired less than five years	Interactive	Static

 

Landscape Architect (LA)

LA License Application	Interactive	Static
LA License Renewal Form	Interactive	Static
LA Degree Verification Form	Interactive	Static
LA Experience Verification Form  | For exam and comity applicants	Interactive	Static
LA Reference Form	Interactive	Static
LA Verification of Exam and Licensure	Interactive	Static
LA License Reinstatement Application  |  only for licenses that expired less than five years	Interactive	Static

 

Business Registration

Business Entity Application	Interactive	Static
Business Entity-Branch Office Application	Interactive	Static
Renewal Form - Business Entity Registration	Interactive	Static
Renewal Form - Branch Office	Interactive	Static

 

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*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  

 

Continuing Education

Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Landscape Architects must attest to the 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.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Applicants for licensure must be able to speak and write English to the satisfaction of the Board. Applicants from a non-English speaking country or a country where the primary language is not English, who have not graduated from a college or university in which English is the language of instruction, shall submit to the Board a TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report that reflects a score acceptable to the Board. Score reports shall not be over two years old at the time of application. 

 

**Professional Engineer Applicants**

Degree Evaluation

Applicants possessing degrees from non-accredited programs must furnish, at their own expense, a detailed evaluation of course work completed. The degree evaluation must include an "Equivalency Transcript" (a detailed evaluation of coursework with grades) and be sent directly to the Board office by the evaluation service. 

Foreign Educational Credential Evaluators

The following options are provided for informational purposes only. We do not directly endorse, guarantee, or take responsibility for any of the organizations or services mentioned.

• NCEES Credential Evaluation
• TEC: The Evaluation Company (formely SpanTran)
• World Education Services (WES)

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

Board News

• Commemorative Centennial Book: APELSCIDLA Board 1920-2020 

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

 
ARCHITECT FAQS

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 is conducted through Virginia Works - Virginia's Workforce Development Agency. Registered apprenticeships provide opportunities for high school students age 16 or older.  You must contact Virginia Works directly to receive information regarding becoming an apprentice.

 

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 have an LAAB-accredited landscape architecture degree. Can I begin taking the LARE?

Answer:  Yes, you must submit the license application with verification of your degree and three references to begin taking the LARE. You must complete the three-year experience requirement prior to your license being issued.
 

BUSINESS REGISTRATION FAQS
 

Question:  Who do I register my business with first? 

Answer: Businesses should first register with the SCC, more information can be found at https://scc.virginia.gov 

Question:  I’ve registered with the SCC. Which business application do I need for the DPOR? 

Answer:  Sole proprietors, partnerships, LLCs, and INCs should submit the Business Entity Registration Application. 
PCs should submit the Professional Corporation Registration Application.   PLLCs should submit the Professional Limited Liability Company Registration Application. 

If you’re still unsure which application you need, contact the Board at APELSCIDLA@dpor.virginia.gov and a licensing specialist will assist you. 

Question:  My business has a main office and a branch office. Can they share a responsible person?

Answer:  Each resident responsible person may be responsible for more than one location provided he is a resident at each place of business during a majority of its operating hours. Please see regulation 18VAC10-20-780 for reference. 

Question:  I need to change my responsible person, how do I do that?

Answer:  Submit the application relevant to your business and check the “change of status” box on the application’s first page. The entire form must be completed. 

Question:  I need to change my LLC to a Corporation. What do I need to do?

Answer:  If your Federal tax ID number is still the same, you are required to register the company's name with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and submit proof of the name change from the SCC with a complete DPOR Name Change Form.

If your FIN has changed, you will be required to submit a new application and the required documents.

Other 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.

 

DPOR stands ready to assist veterans and active-duty military personnel as they maintain or transition to civilian careers requiring professional credentials.

Active-duty military personnel and their spouses having served outside the U.S., as well as certain diplomatic service members and veterans, may be eligible to receive up to a five-year extension for meeting license renewal requirements (pursuant to Section 54.1-117 of the Code of Virginia).

Spouses of active-duty military personnel assigned to a duty station in Virginia are eligible for expedited processing using the Military Spouse Expedited License Application (Interactive | Static). A temporary, non-renewable 12-month license for certain military spouses licensed in another state who need more time to meet Virginia-specific requirements is also an option if necessary. [Section 54.1-119] 

• Military spouses also can get help covering the costs of transferring their professional licenses or certifications when they experience a permanent-change-of-station move with their service member spouse

For honorably discharged veterans, “substantially equivalent” military training, education, or experience may be credited toward certain license requirements (pursuant to Section 54.1-118). The Virginia Department of Veteran Services does not reimburse for exam costs. However, Veterans can be reimbursed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The link for the information is here: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/test-fees.

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

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Apply for a new license/designation

Architect (0401) 

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

 

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Address change

Individual license types only 

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

 

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Renew a license

ALL license types  

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

 

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Reinstate an expired license

Architect (0401)

Professional Engineer (0402) 

Businesses and Branch Offices  

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

 

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Go to Online Services