Arkansas Architect CE Requirements (2026): 12 Hours Every Year
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Requirements Overview
The Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers (ASBALAID) requires every registered architect to earn 12 continuing education hours (CEH) each calendar year as a condition of annual renewal. All 12 hours must be Health, Safety & Welfare (HSW) subjects completed through structured educational activities — there is no non-HSW portion.
Registration certificates expire July 31 each year, and renewal is done online only between July 1 and July 31. The hours that satisfy a given renewal are those earned in the calendar year immediately preceding it, and there is no carryover of extra hours from one year to the next.
At renewal, architects submit an annual continuing education affidavit attesting to compliance. First-time registrants by examination or reciprocity are exempt for their first renewal period, and emeritus registrants are exempt. Keep certificates in case the board audits your affidavit.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health, Safety & Welfare (HSW) | 12 | Every renewal | All 12 CEH each calendar year must be earned in Health, Safety & Welfare (HSW) subjects through structured educational activities. There is no general-education allotment — every hour must be HSW. |
Exemptions
- First-Time New Or Reciprocal Registrant — A first-time, new registrant by examination or a first-time reciprocal registrant is exempt from CE for his or her first renewal period.
- Emeritus Status — A registrant holding emeritus status architect (or landscape architect) is exempt from the continuing education requirement.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Arkansas CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Arkansas that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Annual minimum — at least 12 hours must be completed each year of the cycle, not just by the renewal deadline.
- All 12 CEH per calendar year must be Health, Safety & Welfare (HSW) subjects earned in structured educational activities (ASBALAID CE Rules).
- Hours are earned in the calendar year preceding each July 31 renewal; there is no carryover of excess hours between years.
- Renewal is online only, between July 1 and July 31, and requires an annual continuing education affidavit attesting to compliance.
- First-time registrants by examination or reciprocity are exempt for their first renewal period; emeritus registrants are exempt. Keep supporting records (six years) in case of audit.
Tips for Arkansas Architects
- Make sure every hour is HSW. Arkansas gives no credit for non-HSW professional development, so confirm each course is HSW-designated and structured before enrolling.
- Earn hours in the calendar year before renewal. Credits completed January–December of one year cover the following July 31 renewal.
- There is no carryover — extra hours in one year do not reduce next year's 12, so plan each calendar year independently.
- If this is your first renewal after passing the exam or registering by reciprocity, you are exempt for that first period; confirm your first required year with the board.
- Renew online between July 1 and July 31 and keep your course certificates, since the affidavit can be audited. Verify current requirements with ASBALAID before renewing.
Sources
- Cross-checked against the official published rules of the Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers
- Each stated figure recorded with its exact source excerpt
- 1 source cited — 1 primary (official board)
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