State Licensing for Architects

The Texas Board of Architectural Examiners regulates the practice of architecture in the state of Texas.

Architecture is defined by the state as practice that occurs within specific parameters. The title "architect" is a regulated term, which means that only those who have become licensed professionals may legally call themselves an architect. To learn more about what is considered architecture, visit the Laws & Enforcement section of their site.

Continuing Education Requirements
All registrants must complete at least eight (8) Continuing Education Program Hours (CEPH) per renewal period.  All 8 CEPH must include the study of subjects related to your profession and be pertinent to the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

At least one of the eight hours must be related to barrier-free design.
At least five of the eight hours must be structured activities, (classroom/classroom equivalent)
A maximum of three hours may be self-directed.

Continuing education resources are available, though TBAE does not currently sponsor or endorse courses.  Supporting documentation is required for all activities. See "Activities Not Approved" for additional information.  If your registration must be renewed and you have not completed your continuing education you may not renew until it has been completed.  If your registration is expired you may not practice your profession and you must pay all late fees when you renew.  To avoid this situation you may wish to consider self-directed study that can be accomplished immediately.  Consult the page entitled CEPH Resources.

Definitions Associated with Continuing Education
Health/Safety/Welfare:  Health may include aspects of design that have beneficial effects among users of buildings or sites and address health and environmental issues.  Safety may include aspects of design intended to limit or prevent accidental injury or death among users of buildings or sites.  Welfare may include aspects of design that engender positive emotional responses among or enable equal access by users of buildings or sites.

Barrier-free design is the design of a building or a facility or the design of an alteration of a building or a facility, which complies with the Texas Accessibility Standards, the American with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines, or similarly accepted standards for accessible design.

Structured course study refers to activity that is in a classroom or classroom equivalent setting.  An online or monograph course may be considered classroom equivalent activity if the course contains an independently graded exam. Structured course study must include the study of relevant technical and professional subjects related to your profession and be pertinent to the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Self-directed study is equivalent to self-study (3 CEPH maximum).  Reading from books or professional magazines may be used as self-directed study.  Touring and visiting buildings, historic sites or landmarks that incorporate elements of your design profession fall under the category of self-directed study.  Self-directed study must include the study of relevant technical and professional subjects that are related to your profession and be pertinent to the health, safety and welfare of the public.