Ohio Architect CE Requirements (2026): 12 Hours Every Year
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Requirements Overview
The Ohio Architects Board requires a minimum of 12 continuing education hours each calendar year to renew or reinstate a registration, and all 12 must be in health, safety and welfare (HSW) subjects (Ohio Administrative Code Rule 4703-2-07). Ohio adds a delivery condition many states do not: the hours must be acquired in structured educational activities, not informal or self-directed study.
The requirement is measured per calendar year and registration renews annually. Excess hours may not be credited to a future calendar year, so banking extra credit toward next year is not an option.
CE may be earned at any location, and architects must complete and submit board-required forms certifying that they finished the hours. Failure to comply can result in non-renewal of the registration, and records should be retained for six years.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health, Safety & Welfare (HSW) | 12 | Every renewal | All 12 continuing education hours must be completed in health, safety and welfare subjects acquired in structured educational activities. There is no non-HSW allowance. |
How You Can Complete Your CE
Ohio CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Ohio 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 required CE hours must be health, safety and welfare (HSW) acquired in structured educational activities (OAC 4703-2-07).
- The requirement is measured per calendar year and registration renews annually.
- Excess hours may not be credited to a future calendar year (no carryover).
- Continuing education may be acquired at any location, but the architect must submit board-required forms certifying completion. Records are retained for six years. Verify course acceptability with the Ohio Architects Board.
Tips for Ohio Architects
- Plan all 12 hours as HSW — Ohio has no general or elective category, so every hour must be a health, safety and welfare subject.
- Choose structured activities (organized courses and programs); informal or self-directed study does not satisfy the rule.
- Finish by the calendar-year deadline and do not over-earn expecting a rollover — excess hours cannot be credited to a future year.
- Keep the certification forms handy: Ohio requires you to certify completion to the board, and records should be kept for six years.
- You can take courses anywhere, including online structured programs, but confirm HSW acceptability with the Ohio Architects Board.
Sources
- Cross-checked against the official published rules of the Ohio Architects Board
- Each stated figure recorded with its exact source excerpt
- 1 source cited — 1 primary (official board)
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