Architect license tracking for multi-state A/E firms

Updated Sep 29, 2026. State counts come from SealBench’s rule tables, which cite each board and aren’t yet confirmed with the boards.

How architect licensing differs

• HSW hours. Most states want architect CE in health, safety and welfare topics. In our data, 15 jurisdictions ask for 12 hours a year and 26 for 24 every two years. Some want accessibility or sustainable design hours inside that total.
• CE periods that don’t match the license. In 11 jurisdictions the architect CE period runs on its own calendar, not the license term. Texas, for example, counts CE by calendar year but renews licenses by birth month.
• A separate firm registration. 32 jurisdictions expect an architecture firm to register, and in 18 an A/E firm registers with two different boards, each with its own renewal date.
• Memberships aren’t licenses. AIA membership and the NCARB Certificate matter, but neither lets anyone seal. Only the state license does.

These architect counts come from our rule tables, which haven’t been checked against the architecture boards’ rules yet. Check with the board before you rely on one.

How SealBench tracks architects

• One roster for the whole firm: architects (RA), engineers (PE and SE), landscape architects, land surveyors and interior designers, each with every license they hold. A person with a PE and an RA is both.
• HSW counted per state: accessibility and sustainable-design hours count inside the HSW total, not on top of it. An AIA learning unit (LU) counts as one hour. When SealBench can’t count one of a state’s requirements yet, the card says so.
• Firm registrations that know what they cover: engineering, architecture or both, and whether the state wants one A/E registration or two.
• Set Check by discipline: architectural and interiors sheets need an architect, and the state’s rule on engineers sealing architectural work is applied to the sheet.
• Import: Bring the license spreadsheet you already keep, as it is. SealBench finds the header row under title rows, reads two-row headers and merged cells, and understands one row per license, a column per state, or a tab per state or per person. Every row is saved, held for a look with the reason, or skipped with the reason, and nothing is saved until you review the changes and confirm.
• Reminders: Reminders at 90, 60 and 30 days before each license, firm registration and CE deadline are coming soon.

Landscape architects

Landscape architects (PLA or RLA) sit on the same roster, with every state license and its expiration date. On a permit set, landscape sheets need a landscape architect. SealBench doesn’t hold state CE or firm rules for landscape architects yet, and says so on every screen that would use one, so count their CE against the board’s rule yourself.

Interior designers

Registered or certified interior designers, and NCIDQ holders, are tracked with their licenses and dates. SealBench has no state rules for interior designers yet: it doesn’t count their CE or say which states let them seal. Interiors sheets in a permit set are matched to an architect.

Architect rules by state

Every state page covers architects next to engineers: renewal cycle, HSW hours, firm registration and whether an engineer may seal architectural sheets. Start with renewal by state or who can seal drawings, by state.

What it costs

One license is free. Pro is $5 a month for one person and every license they hold. A firm pays $12 a month for each licensed person it tracks (or $120 a year), billed for at least 3; office staff who aren’t licensed sign in free. One price per person, however many states they’re licensed in. See pricing.

SealBench suggests who may seal each sheet and shows why. The licensed professional takes responsible charge and applies the seal. SealBench is not a law firm, does not give legal advice, and does not file anything with any board. Questions or corrections: support@sealbench.com.