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Architects, Landscape Architects and Registered Commercial Interior Designers Homepage / Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions


New RCID Law |  Application Portal & Licensee Portal |  Licensure |  Firm Licensure |  Continuing Education |  Examinations

New RCID Law

  1. 
Who is allowed to use the title "Registered Commercial Interior Designer"?
  2. 
Who does this law govern?
  3. 
What submissions am I allowed to seal and submit for permitting?
  4. 
Can a local authority having jurisdiction (building official, State Fire Marshal, etc.) require an Architect's seal, even though I can now seal my own work?
  5. 
Can I seal and sign architectural or landscape architectural plans?
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1.  Who is allowed to use the title "Registered Commercial Interior Designer"?

Only those who are currently or will be registered under the Oklahoma State Architectural and Registered Interior Designers Act.

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2.  Who does this law govern?

The law only governs the use of the title "Registered Commercial Interior Designer," not the titles "Interior Designer" or "Residential Designer."

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3.  What submissions am I allowed to seal and submit for permitting?

RCIDs may seal technical submissions, excluding fire and life safety systems, for nonstructural interior construction only for Code Use Groups, as defined and listed in 59 OS 46.21b. If an Architect and an RCID from the same firm work on the same plans, only the Architect's stamp is necessary.

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4.  Can a local authority having jurisdiction (building official, State Fire Marshal, etc.) require an Architect's seal, even though I can now seal my own work?

Yes. AHJs are allowed to set stricter requirements than state law requirements.

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5.  Can I seal and sign architectural or landscape architectural plans?

No. As an RCID, you are not authorized to practice architecture or landscape architecture.

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Application Portal & Licensee Portal

  1. 
Are the Application Portal and the Licensee Portal the same thing?
  2. 
If I started an application in the Application Portal, where do I go to complete it or to see the status of my application?
  3. 
I'm not receiving any emails about my application. How do I know what the status of the application?
  4. 
How do I use the Licensee Portal?
  5. 
How do I set up my login credentials for the License Portal?
  6. 
I forgot my password or security questions. What do I do?
  7. 
If I am logging into the License Portal for the first time and clicked "forgot password," but never received the email with the temporary password, what do I do?
  8. 
Can the same email address be used in the Licensee Portal for multiple licensees (so that everyone's information shows up under one profile)?
  9. 
When and how do I renew my license?
10. 
Do I have to enter all my CE courses separately or can I just upload my AIA/ASLA/IDCEC transcript?
11. 
If my CEU courses don't match one of the listed subjects in the Licensee Portal, what do I do?
12. 
If I went to an all-day event with multiple sessions/topics/breakouts (i.e. the OBA in-person CE events) but only received one attendance certificate, how do I enter those CEUs into the portal?
13. 
I started my renewal but didn't finish it, and now when I log in, it says "Renewal period not open at this time." How do I get back into my renewal?
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1.  Are the Application Portal and the Licensee Portal the same thing?

No, they are completely separate portals. If you have submitted an application, you will not be able to access the Licensee Portal until after your application has been approved and you've paid your $325 license fee.

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2.  If I started an application in the Application Portal, where do I go to complete it or to see the status of my application?

You will log back in to the Application Portal to finish the application or to see the status of your application once it's been submitted.

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3.  I'm not receiving any emails about my application. How do I know what the status of the application?

First, make sure to add oba@thentiacloud.net to your list of approved senders and check your spam and trash folders to make sure the emails haven't gone there. If you still aren't receiving the emails after that, please contact the Board office. You can also check the status of an application in the Application Portal.

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4.  How do I use the Licensee Portal?

For step-by-step instructions and photos, please click this link: https://www.ok.gov/Architects/documents/Licensee%20Portal%20Instructions.pdf

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5.  How do I set up my login credentials for the License Portal?

If it is your first time logging into the License Portal, click the "Activate Now" link below the email and password fields. This will take you to a page where you will enter your email address and click "Activate." (This email address MUST be the same address that was provided to the Board.) A temporary password will be emailed and, once you log in with the temporary password, you will be prompted to set a permanent password and security questions.

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6.  I forgot my password or security questions. What do I do?

If you forget your password or the answer to your security questions, or if you think you're entering them correctly but are getting a notice that they're incorrect, choose "forgot password" on the login page. The system will then send you an email with a temporary password; when you login again with the temporary password, it will prompt you to set a new password and security questions.

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7.  If I am logging into the License Portal for the first time and clicked "forgot password," but never received the email with the temporary password, what do I do?

Try clicking the "Activate Now" link instead; you will enter your email address and it will send a temporary password to that email address. If you are still not receiving the temporary password email after trying the "activate now" link, please contact the Board office.

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8.  Can the same email address be used in the Licensee Portal for multiple licensees (so that everyone's information shows up under one profile)?

No, only one licensee's information will show up when an email address is used to log in. If multiple licensees are using the same email for correspondence, they will need to provide another email address to use to access the Licensee Portal.

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9.  When and how do I renew my license?

License renewals for all Oklahoma licensees, including firms, occur every odd-numbered year; licenses must be renewed by June 30th or it will automatically cancel on July 1st. License renewals will be done through the Licensee Portal and will open 90 days before the June 30th deadline. All of the required 24 hours of Continuing Education must be uploaded in the Licensee Portal before you will be able to renew your license. To renew your license, click on the "Renewal" tab in the portal to complete the renewal application and pay the $325 fee.

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10.  Do I have to enter all my CE courses separately or can I just upload my AIA/ASLA/IDCEC transcript?

If you are uploading an AIA/ASLA/IDCEC transcript, you also must do one entry under "Program/CE Activities" so that the system knows how many hours you are submitting. For an example of how to record the entry in regards to an AIA/ASLA/IDCEC transcript, please go here: https://www.ok.gov/Architects/documents/AIA%20Transcript%202021%20Example.pdf. If you do not have an AIA transcript, you will need to enter the course information for each course separately, along with uploading proof of attendance for each course. For step-by-step instructions on doing this, visit: https://www.ok.gov/Architects/documents/Continuing%20Education%20Example%20-%20LP.pdf

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11.  If my CEU courses don't match one of the listed subjects in the Licensee Portal, what do I do?

If the subject content of a CEU course doesn't exactly match the pre-listed fields, choose the closest match from the list.

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12.  If I went to an all-day event with multiple sessions/topics/breakouts (i.e. the OBA in-person CE events) but only received one attendance certificate, how do I enter those CEUs into the portal?

Even if the event was multiple sessions/units, you can enter it as one entry with the number of contact hours as the same number as the number of sessions you attended and upload the certificate for it. (i.e. if you attended 6 sessions in one day and received an attendance certificate at the end of the day, you only have to enter it once in the portal for 6 contact hours of credit.)

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13.  I started my renewal but didn't finish it, and now when I log in, it says "Renewal period not open at this time." How do I get back into my renewal?

Below where it says "Renewal period not open at this time," there should be a table that has a button with the words, "Continue & Review." Clicking that button will give you access into your already-started renewal application.

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Licensure

  1. 
If I am licensed in another State, how do I become licensed in Oklahoma?
  2. 
How do I renew my license?
  3. 
If I allow my license to expire, what should I do?
  4. 
How do I obtain my license after I pass all parts of the examination?
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1.  If I am licensed in another State, how do I become licensed in Oklahoma?

Applicants for an Oklahoma license by reciprocity must meet the following requirements: -Meet work experience/education requirements (Subchapters 5-9 in the Rules); -Architects may hold a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards' (NCARB) certificate or Landscape Architects may hold a Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards' (CLARB) certificate OR -You may apply directly to the Oklahoma Board by completing the application for architect registration, submitting it to the Board office along with verification of your education, grades from when you tested, work experience for evaluation and approval. All applicants are required to take and pass the open book exam on Oklahoma's Law and Rules. Additionally, landscape architects must take and pass the Oklahoma Plant Materials Exam. Both exams are open book and submit proof of U.S. citizenship.

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2.  How do I renew my license?

All licenses, Individual and Firms (Certificate of Authority), expire on June 30th of each odd-numbered year. Renewal notices will be emailed approximately 90 days prior to expiration to the email address on file with the Board office. Failure to receive a renewal notice in the mail does not relieve the licensee of the responsibility to renew their license by the expiration date. To renew your license, log into the portal, upload your Continuing Education information, and click on the "Renewal" tab to complete the renewal and pay the $325 fee.

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3.  If I allow my license to expire, what should I do?

Contact the Board Office at (405) 949-2383.

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4.  How do I obtain my license after I pass all parts of the examination?

The Board office receives a copy of your grades at the same time they are mailed to you. When we have verified that you have passed all parts of the examination, we will mail you a letter stating that you have passed all sections of the exam and that you may now become licensed once you have submitted the license fee and passed the state Act and Rules exam.

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Firm Licensure

  1. 
If I am licensed to practice in Oklahoma, does my firm have to be licensed as well?
  2. 
How do I register my architectural firm in Oklahoma?
  3. 
If our firm's Architect of Record has left the firm, how do we change our records to name a new person "Architect of Record"?
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1.  If I am licensed to practice in Oklahoma, does my firm have to be licensed as well?

Yes, all firms practicing architecture, landscape architecture, or registered commercial interior design in Oklahoma, or offering to practice in Oklahoma, must be licensed. To find out more about firm licensure, click on the Firm Applications & Licensure tab.

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2.  How do I register my architectural firm in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma law and rules require architectural firms to be registered in this State by applying for a Certificate of Authority with this board in addition to filing a separate application with the Office of the Secretary of State. Architect of Record for the firm must have a current Oklahoma license. (Subchapter 13 in the Rules) All Certificate of Authorities expire on the same date at the end of each renewal period.

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3.  If our firm's Architect of Record has left the firm, how do we change our records to name a new person "Architect of Record"?

If your firm's Architect of Record has left the firm or has passed away, please contact Janie Hollars at janie.hollars@boardofarch.ok.gov for information on how to complete a revision to the firm's Certificate of Authority.

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Continuing Education

  1. 
Am I required to complete continuing education in order to renew my license?
  2. 
How many hours of Continuing Education are required in Oklahoma?
  3. 
Do I have to enter all my CE courses separately in the License Portal or can I just upload my AIA/ASLA/IDCEC transcript?
  4. 
If I went to an all-day event with multiple sessions/topics/breakouts (i.e. the OBA in-person CE events) but only received one attendance certificate, how do I enter those CEUs into the portal?
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1.  Am I required to complete continuing education in order to renew my license?

Yes, the law and rules require continuing education. All are required to submit 24 hours, all of which must be "hsw" (health, safety, welfare) every 2-year renewal period. All licensees are subject to a random audit each renewal period. (Subchapter 17 in the Rules)

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2.  How many hours of Continuing Education are required in Oklahoma?

For license renewals every two years, 24 hours of Continuing Education are required. If you did more than 24 hours in the 2-year renewal period, 4 hours can be carried over into the next renewal period.

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3.  Do I have to enter all my CE courses separately in the License Portal or can I just upload my AIA/ASLA/IDCEC transcript?

If you are uploading an AIA/ASLA/IDCEC transcript, you also must do one entry under "Program/CE Activities" so that the system knows how many hours you are submitting. For an example of how to record the entry in regards to an AIA/ASLA/IDCEC transcript, please go here: https://www.ok.gov/Architects/documents/AIA%20Transcript%202021%20Example.pdf. If you are entering more than the required 24 hours (up to 4 extra hours can be entered to carry over into the next renewal period), each extra unit must be entered separately in order to keep track of which courses to carry over.

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4.  If I went to an all-day event with multiple sessions/topics/breakouts (i.e. the OBA in-person CE events) but only received one attendance certificate, how do I enter those CEUs into the portal?

Even if the event was multiple sessions/units, you can enter it as one entry with the number of contact hours as the same number as the number of sessions you attended and upload the certificate for it. (i.e. if you attended 6 sessions in one day and received an attendance certificate at the end of the day, you only have to enter it once in the portal for 6 contact hours of credit.)

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Examinations

  1. 
What requirements must be met to qualify to take the Architect Registration Examination (A.R.E.)?
  2. 
What requirements must be met to qualify to take the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.)?
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1.  What requirements must be met to qualify to take the Architect Registration Examination (A.R.E.)?

Applicants for the A.R.E. must meet the following requirements as described in 55:10-5 of the Rules of the Board: -Meet education requirements: Professional degree from a NAAB accredited program -Start an IDP File with NCARB and have NCARB submit a summary sheet to the Board -Fill out an Oklahoma ARE candidate application and submit it to the Board -Must have final board approval *Or meet equivalent standards. See Rules 55:10-5-4.1 Please refer to the ACT and RULES for details concerning the education, work experience and AXP requirements.

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2.  What requirements must be met to qualify to take the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (L.A.R.E.)?

Applicants for the L.A.R.E. must meet the following requirements as described in 55:10-5 of the Rules of the Board: -Meet education requirements: Professional degree from a LAAB accredited program -Meet 3-year work experience requirements -Must have final board approval *Or meet equivalent standards. See Rules 55:10-5-4.2 Please refer to the ACT and RULES for details concerning the education and work experience requirements.

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