Washington Architect CE Requirements (2026): 24 Hours Every 2 Years
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Requirements Overview
The Washington State Board for Architects, part of the Department of Licensing (DOL), requires 24 professional development hours (PDH) across each two-year license period. At least 16 of those 24 hours must address public health, safety, and welfare (HSW); the remaining 8 may cover any subject related to the practice of architecture.
Washington uses a self-certification model — you attest to compliance at renewal and are not asked to submit certificates unless you are audited. Each year 5% to 15% of licensees are selected at random for audit, so documentation matters. For every activity, keep the date, the instructor's name, a description, the location, and the number of PDH, and retain those records for 5 years.
Excess hours can help you get ahead: up to 12 extra PDH earned in the second half of a license period may be carried over into the next two-year period.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health, Safety & Welfare (HSW) | 16 | Every renewal | At least 16 of the 24 professional development hours in each two-year period must address public health, safety, and welfare (HSW). The remaining 8 hours may cover any subject related to the practice of architecture. There are no additional mandated sub-topics. |
How You Can Complete Your CE
Washington CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Washington that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — Up to 12 excess professional development hours may be carried over to the next two-year license period. Only hours earned during the second half of the license period are eligible to carry forward, and the carry-over is capped at 12 hours.
- 24 professional development hours (PDH) are required across each two-year license period, of which at least 16 must address public health, safety, and welfare (HSW).
- Records are not submitted at renewal — you self-certify compliance and produce documentation only if audited. Each year 5% to 15% of licensees are randomly selected for audit.
- For each activity keep the date, instructor name, activity description, location, and number of PDH. Retain records for 5 years after the audit.
- Up to 12 excess hours from the second half of a license period may be carried into the next two-year period.
Tips for Washington Architects
- Front-load your HSW hours. 16 of the 24 must be HSW, so track which activities carry the HSW designation and make sure you clear that 16-hour floor before filling the remaining 8 with general practice topics.
- Only excess hours from the second half of your license period can carry over, capped at 12. Timing matters — hours banked too early in the cycle will not roll forward.
- You will not upload certificates at renewal. Keep a per-activity log (date, instructor, description, location, PDH) because Washington randomly audits 5% to 15% of architects every year.
- Retain your records for 5 years after an audit. A clean, itemized log is what protects you if you are selected.
- The Board does not pre-approve courses. AIA/NCARB HSW-designated activities are a safe way to be confident an activity counts — but always verify against the current DOL rules.
Sources
- Cross-checked against the official published rules of the Washington State Board for Architects (Department of Licensing)
- Each stated figure recorded with its exact source excerpt
- 1 source cited — 1 primary (official board)
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