Continuing Education Requirements by State
More than 40 jurisdictions require that architects complete continuing education to update their professional skills to renew their license while additional states are considering such requirements. Following is a summary of states requiring continuing education for architects, total continuing education hours required, health, safety, and welfare (HSW) continuing education hours required, and frequency of license renewal:
Note: You should check with your state board to find out the most current continuing education requirements and renewal dates.
| State |
Total Hours |
Requirements |
Renewal Cycle |
| Alabama |
12 Hours |
12 HSW |
Annual |
| Alaska |
24 Hours |
24 HSW |
Biennial |
| Arkansas |
12 Hours |
8 HSW |
Annual |
| California |
5 Hours |
5 Disability Access |
Biennial
|
| Colorado |
16 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| Delaware |
24 Hours |
24 HSW |
Biennial |
| District of Columbia |
24 Hours |
24 HSW |
Biennial |
| Florida |
20 Hours |
20 Florida-approved |
Biennial |
| Georgia |
24 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| Hawaii |
16 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| Idaho |
8 Hours |
8 HSW |
Annual |
| Illinois |
24 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| Indiana |
24 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| Iowa |
24 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| Kansas |
30 Hours |
Non-HSW Accepted |
Biennial |
| Kentucky |
12 Hours |
8 HSW |
Annual |
| Louisiana |
12 Hours |
12 HSW |
Annual |
| Maryland |
24 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| Massachusetts |
12 Hours |
8 HSW |
Annual |
| Minnesota |
24 Hours |
24 HSW |
Biennial |
| Michigan |
Pending * |
Pending * |
Pending * |
| Mississippi |
24 Hours |
24 HSW |
Biennial |
| Missouri |
24 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| Nebraska |
24 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| Nevada |
8 Hours |
8 HSW |
Annual |
| New Hampshire |
24 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| New Jersey |
24 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| New Mexico |
24 Hours |
24 HSW |
Biennial |
| New York |
36 Hours |
24 HSW |
Every 3 Years |
| North Carolina |
12 Hours |
12 HSW |
Annual |
| Ohio |
24 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| Oklahoma |
24 Hours |
24 HSW |
Biennial |
| Oregon |
24 Hours |
24 HSW |
Biennial |
| Puerto Rico |
50 Hours |
36 HSW |
Every 5 years |
| Rhode Island |
24 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| South Carolina |
24 Hours |
24 HSW |
Biennial |
| South Dakota |
30 Hours |
20 HSW |
Biennial |
| Tennessee |
24 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| Texas |
8 Hours |
6 HSW+1SD+1Acc. |
Annual |
| Utah |
16 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| Vermont |
24 Hours |
24 HSW |
Biennial |
| Virginia |
16 Hours |
Non-HSW Accepted |
Biennial |
| Washington |
Pending * |
Pending * |
Pending * |
| West Virginia |
12 Hours |
8 HSW |
Annual |
| Wisconsin |
24 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
| Wyoming |
16 Hours |
16 HSW |
Biennial |
* Pending - State has pass enabling legislation and regulations are being promulgated; please contact state board for current requirements.