DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

DIRECTOR’S OFFICE

ARCHITECTS – GENERAL RULES

(By authority conferred on the board of architects by section 308 of the occupational

code, 1980 PA 299, MCL 339.308, and on the director of the department of licensing and

regulatory affairs by sections 205 and 2009 of the occupational code, 1980 PA 299, MCL

339.205 and 339.2009, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1991-9, 1996-2, 2003-1,

and 2011-4, MCL 338.3501, 445.2001, 445.2011, and 445.2030)

PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

R 339.15101 Definitions.

Rule 101. (1) As used in these rules:

(a) “CACB” means the Canadian Architectural Certification Board.

(b) “Code” means the occupational code, 1980 PA 299, MCL 339.101 to 339.2677.

(c) “Continuing education” means an instructional course or activity in an approved

health, safety, and welfare subject designed to bring licensees up to date on a particular

area of knowledge or skills relevant to the licensee’s area of professional practice.

(d) “Course” means any qualifying activity with a clear purpose and goal that keeps,

improves, or expands the skills and knowledge relevant to the licensee’s area of

professional practice. Regular duties for compensation are not considered activities, except

for employer compensated continuing education activities.

(e) “Department” means the department of licensing and regulatory affairs.

(f) “Distance learning” means any of the following:

(i) Courses where an instructor and a licensee may be apart, and instruction takes

place through online or electronic media.

(ii) Courses, which include, but are not limited to, instruction presented through

interactive classrooms, at the job site, computer conferencing, and interactive computer

systems.

(iii) Monographs, which are distance learning courses that examine or investigate

current and emerging topics in architecture, which can be in the form of an online quiz or

test offered by a sponsor, which may not require an instructor.

(g) “Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) subjects” means technical and professional

subjects related to the practice of architecture that safeguard the public and include the

continuing education subjects approved under R 339.15506.

(h) “NAAB” means the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

(i) “NCARB” means the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

(j) “Sponsor” means an individual that represents to the public that any of its courses

fulfill the requirements of section 2009 of the code, MCL 339.2009, for continuing

education.

(2) A term defined in the code has the same meaning when used in these rules.

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History: 1985 AACS; 2006 AACS; 2013 AACS; 2014 AACS; 2018 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS;

2023 AACS; 2025 MR 11, Eff. May 8, 2025.

R 339.15102 Rescinded.

History: 1985 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS.

R 339.15103 Rescinded.

History: 1985 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS; 2006 AACS; 2014 AACS.

R 339.15104 Rescinded.

History: 1985 AACS; 2001 AACS.

R 339.15105 Rescission.

Rule 105. R 338.551 to R 338.563 and R 338.581 to R 338.588 of the Michigan

Administrative Code, appearing on pages 2446 to 2453 of the 1979 Michigan

Administrative Code, are rescinded insofar as these rules pertain to architects.

History: 1985 AACS.

PART 2. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND EXAMINATION STANDARDS

R 339.15201 Educational requirement; adoption by reference of educational

standard.

Rule 201. (1) An applicant for licensure shall provide proof, as directed by the

department, verifying 1 of the following to satisfy the educational requirement under the

code:

(a) Transcripts verifying that the applicant received a first professional degree from

an architectural program accredited by the NAAB or the CACB.

(b) An evaluation report from the Education Evaluation Services for Architects-

NCARB that verifies the applicant for licensure received a degree that satisfies all the

categories, subject areas, and semester credit hour requirements established under the

NCARB Education Standard adopted by reference under subrule (2) of this rule.

(c) A credentials evaluation provided by a current member of the National

Association of Credential Evaluation Services that verifies the applicant for licensure

received a degree that satisfies all the categories, subject areas, and semester credit hour

requirements established under the NCARB Education Standard adopted by reference

under subrule (2) of this rule.

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(2) The NCARB Education Standard in the “NCARB Education Guidelines,”

effective January 6, 2021, is adopted by reference. This document is available for

inspection and distribution at the cost of 10 cents per page from the Department of

Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing, at 611 West Ottawa

St., P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, Michigan 48909 and at no cost from NCARB at

https://www.ncarb.org/ or at the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards,

1401 H Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005.

History: 1985 AACS; 2006 AACS; 2018 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR

11, Eff. May 8, 2025.

R 339.15202 Experience requirement.

Rule 202. An applicant for licensure shall provide proof, as directed by the

department, verifying 1 of the following to satisfy the experience requirements under the

code:

(a) A valid certificate of completion of any internship program from NCARB.

(b) Current and continuous licensure in another state or a province of Canada of not

less than 5 years.

History: 1985 AACS; 1989 AACS; 2006 AACS; 2018 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS.

R 339.15203 Rescinded.

History: 1985 AACS; 1998-2000 AACS.

R 339.15204 Examination requirement.

Rule 204. An applicant for licensure shall provide proof, as directed by the

department, verifying a passing score as determined by NCARB on the NCARB

Architectural Registration Examination.

History: 2006 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS.

PART 3. RELICENSURE

R 339.15301 Rescinded.

History: 1985 AACS; 2014 AACS; 2018 AACS; 2020 AACS.

R 339.15302 Rescinded.

History: 1985 AACS; 2014 AACS.

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R 339.15304 Relicensure requirements.

Rule 304. (1) An applicant whose license has lapsed for less than 3 years after the

expiration date of the last license may be relicensed under section 411(3) of the code, MCL

339.411, by satisfying all the following requirements:

(a) Provides a completed application on a form provided by the department.

(b) Pays the required fee to the department.

(c) Provides proof, as directed by the department, verifying that the applicant has

completed 24 credit hours of continuing education in activities approved under R

339.15502, during the 2-year period immediately before the date of filing the relicensure

application. If the department determines that the amount of continuing education credit

hours provided with the application are deficient, the applicant has 1 year after the date of

filing the application to provide proof of completing the deficient credit hours.

(2) An applicant whose license has lapsed for 3 years or more after the expiration date

of the last license may be relicensed under section 411(4) of the code, MCL 339.411, by

satisfying all the following requirements:

(a) Provides a completed application on a form provided by the department.

(b) Pays the required fee to the department.

(c) Establishes that the applicant has met all the requirements for initial licensure

under the code and these rules.

(d) Provides proof, as directed by the department, verifying that the applicant has

completed 24 credit hours of continuing education in activities approved under R

339.15502, during the 2-year period immediately before the date of filing the relicensure

application. If the department determines that the amount of continuing education credit

hours provided with the application are deficient, the applicant has 1 year after the date of

filing the application to provide proof of completing the deficient credit hours.

History: 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 11, Eff. May 8, 2025.

PART 4. STANDARDS OF PRACTICE AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

R 339.15401 Model rules of conduct; adoption by reference.

Rule 401. (1) A licensee shall follow the NCARB model rules of conduct adopted by

reference in this rule.

(2) The NCARB model rules of conduct in the document “Model Rules of Conduct,”

revised July 2023, is adopted by reference. This document is available for inspection and

distribution at the cost of 10 cents per page from the Department of Licensing and

Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing, 611 West Ottawa Street, P.O. Box

30670, Lansing, Michigan 48909 and at no cost from NCARB at https://www.ncarb.org/

or at the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, 1401 H Street NW, Suite

500, Washington, DC 20005.

History: 1985 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 11, Eff. May 8, 2025.

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R 339.15402 Rescinded.

History: 1985 AACS; 2020 AACS.

R 339.15403 Rescinded.

History: 1985 AACS; 2020 AACS.

R 339.15404 Architect seal.

Rule 404. (1) The seal of an architect must include the licensee’s name and full license

number, as shown on the licensee’s state-issued architect license and indicate “State of

Michigan” and “Licensed Architect” in the legend surrounding the seal. The seal must

have a design substantially equivalent to figure 404 below.

(2) A licensee's seal must be used by the licensee whose name appears on the seal for

as long as the license is in effect. A licensee is responsible for the security of the licensee's

seal.

FIGURE 404

History: 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 11, Eff. May 8, 2025.

PART 5. LICENSE RENEWAL AND CONTINUING EDUCATION

R 339.15501 Continuing education required for renewal; certification of

compliance; document retention; continuing education waiver.

Rule 501. (1) An applicant for license renewal who has been licensed during the 2-

year period immediately before the expiration date of the license shall obtain 24 credit

hours of continuing education in activities approved under R 339.15502, during the 2-year

period immediately before the expiration date of the license.

(2) Submission of an application for renewal constitutes the applicant’s certification

of compliance with this rule and R 339.15502.

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(3) A licensee shall maintain documentation of satisfying the requirements of this rule

and R 339.15502 for a period of 4 years after the date of filing the application for license

renewal.

(4) A licensee is subject to an audit under this part and may have to provide

documentation as described under R 339.15502 on request of the department.

(5) An applicant shall submit a request for a waiver of continuing education

requirements to the department for the board’s consideration not less than 30 days before

the last regularly scheduled board meeting before the expiration date of the license.

History: 2013 AACS; 2018 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 11, Eff. May

8, 2025.

R 339.15502 Acceptable continuing education; limitations.

Rule 502. (1) As used in this rule, “continuous instruction” means the time taking

part in the activity, not including breakfast, lunch, or dinner periods, coffee breaks, or other

breaks in the program. Except as provided under subrule (2) of this rule, 50 minutes of

continuous instruction is equal to 1 continuing education credit hour.

(2) The department shall grant credit for continuing education hours that satisfy the

requirements in the following chart:

Activity Activity and Proof Required

Code

Number of Continuing Education

Credit Hours Granted for Activity

and Allowed for Licensure Cycle

(a)

Completing a continuing education The number of continuing

program or activity, regardless of the education credit hours approved by

format in which it is offered, if it is in the sponsor or the approving entity.

an HSW subject under R 339.15506 and

is approved or offered for continuing

education credit hours by any of the

following:

- Another state board of architects.

- NCARB.

- American Institute of Architects.

- Construction Specifications Institute.

- University of Michigan.

- Lawrence Technological University.

- University of Detroit Mercy.

- Andrews University.

- An NAAB accredited degree granting

institution.

- United States Green Building Council.

If audited, a licensee shall provide a

copy of a letter or a certificate of

completion issued by the relevant

above-referenced

sponsor

or

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organization showing the licensee’s

name, number of credit hours earned,

sponsor name or the name of the

organization that approved the

continuing education program or

activity, and the date or dates the

program was held or the activity

completed.

(b)

Passing a postgraduate academic course Fifteen continuing education credit

in an HSW subject under R 339.15506 hours are granted for each semester

that is offered by an architectural credit, or 10 continuing education

program that is accredited by NAAB or credit hours are granted for each

CACB.

quarter credit.

If audited, a licensee shall provide a A maximum of 15 continuing

copy of the transcript issued by the education credit hours are granted

NAAB-accredited or CACB-accredited for this activity in each renewal

architectural program showing the period.

number of completed credit hours for

the academic courses.

(c)

Attending a seminar, in-house course, One continuing education credit

workshop, or professional or technical hour is granted for every 50

presentation made at a meeting, minutes of continuous instruction.

convention, or conference in which the

subject matter is an HSW subject under One-half (0.5 credit hour) of 1

R 339.15506.

continuing education credit hour is

granted for every additional 25

If audited, a licensee shall provide a minutes of continuous instruction

copy of a letter or a certificate of that follows the initial 50 minutes

completion issued by the sponsor or of continuous instruction.

organization of the seminar, in-house

course, workshop, or professional or

technical presentation made at a

meeting, convention, or conference

showing the licensee’s name, sponsor

name or the name of the organization,

and the date or dates the activity was

held and attended by the licensee.

(d)

Teaching, instructing, or presenting on One continuing education credit

a subject that is an HSW subject under hour is granted for every 50

R 339.15506.

minutes continuous instruction.

If audited, a licensee shall provide a One-half (0.5 credit hour) of 1

letter issued by the course or activity continuing education credit hour is

sponsor or organization confirming the granted for every additional 25

licensee as the teacher, instructor, or minutes of continuous instruction

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presenter of a course or activity, that follows the initial 50 minutes

together with a copy of the course of continuous instruction.

syllabus,

or

other

program

documentation, showing that licensee is

the instructor, the name of the course or

activity, and the date or dates the course

or activity took place.

(e)

Publishing a peer-reviewed paper, Six continuing education credit

article, or book on a subject that is an hours are granted for this activity.

HSW subject under R 339.15506.

Credit for continuing education

If audited, a licensee shall provide a credit hours is not granted for

copy of the publication that identifies multiple publications of the same

the licensee as the author of the peer-review paper, article, or book.

publication and the publication

acceptance letter showing the licensee’s A maximum of 12 continuing

name, article name, and the date of education credit hours are granted

publishing.

for this activity during each

renewal period.

(f)

Serving as a voting member on a local, Three continuing education credit

state, or national committee, board, hours are granted for each

council, or association, if it enhances committee, board, council, or

the participant’s knowledge and association that the licensee is a

understanding of architecture.

To member.

receive credit, a licensee shall take part

in not less than 50% of the regularly A maximum of 3 continuing

scheduled meetings of the committee, education credit hours are granted

board, council, or association.

for this activity during each

renewal period.

If audited, a licensee shall provide

documentation satisfactory to the

department verifying the licensee’s

participation in not less than 50% of the

regularly scheduled meetings of the

committee,

board,

council,

or

association and provide verification of

the licensee’s status as a voting member

on the committee, board, council, or

association.

(g)

Participating in a company-sponsored One continuing education credit

seminar or training that is on an HSW hour is granted for every 50

subject under R 339.15506.

minutes of continuous instruction.

If audited, a licensee shall provide a One-half (0.5 credit hour) of 1

copy of a letter or a certificate of continuing education credit hour is

completion issued by the company or granted for every additional 25

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organization presenting the seminar or minutes of continuous instruction

training on its behalf, showing the that follows the initial 50 minutes

licensee’s name, company name or the of continuous instruction.

name of the organization presenting the

seminar or training on behalf of the

company, subject of seminar or

training, and the date or dates the

seminar or training was held and

completed by the licensee.

(3) Continuing education credit hours are not granted for a program or activity that

has substantially the same content of a program or activity for which the applicant has

already earned continuing education credit during the renewal period.

History: 2013 AACS; 2018 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 11, Eff. May

8, 2025.

R 339.15502a Rescinded.

History: 2018 AACS; 2020 AACS.

R 339.15503 Rescinded.

History: 2013 AACS; 2020 AACS.

R 339.15504 Rescinded.

History: 2013 AACS; 2018 AACS; 2020 AACS.

R 339.15505 Rescinded.

History: 2013 AACS; 2018 AACS.

R 339.15506 HSW subjects for continuing education.

Rule 506. The following continuing education subjects are approved HSW Subjects:

(a) Practice management in 1 of the following topics:

(i) Applicable laws and regulations.

(ii) Ethics.

(iii) Insurance to protect owner and public.

(iv) Business management.

(v) Risk management.

(vi) Design for community needs.

(vii) Supervisor training.

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(b) Project management in 1 of the following topics:

(i) Project delivery methods.

(ii) Contract negotiation.

(iii) Pre-design services.

(iv) Site and soils analysis.

(v) Consultant management.

(vi) Project scheduling.

(vii) Quality control.

(viii) Economic assessment.

(ix) Value engineering.

(c) Programing and analysis in 1 of the following topics:

(i) Land-use analysis.

(ii) Programming.

(iii) Site selection.

(iv) Historic preservation.

(v) Adaptive reuse.

(vi) Codes, regulations, and standards.

(vii) Natural resources.

(viii) Hazardous materials.

(ix) Resiliency.

(x) Life safety.

(xi) Feasibility studies.

(d) Project planning and design in 1 of the following topics:

(i) Building systems.

(ii) Urban planning.

(iii) Master planning.

(iv) Building design.

(v) Site design.

(vi) Safety and security measures.

(vii) Energy efficiency.

(viii) Sustainability.

(ix) Indoor air quality.

(x) Ergonomics.

(xi) Lighting.

(xii) Acoustics.

(xiii) Accessibility.

(xiv) Construction systems.

(xv) Budget development.

(e) Project development and documentation in 1 of the following topics:

(i) Construction documents.

(ii) Materials and assemblies.

(iii) Fixtures, furnishings, and equipment.

(f) Construction and evaluation in 1 of the following topics:

(i) Construction contract administration.

(ii) Bidding and negotiation.

(iii) Post occupancy evaluation.

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(iv) Building commissioning.

History: 2013 AACS; 2018 AACS; 2020 AACS.

R 339.15507 Rescinded.

History: 2013 AACS; 2020 AACS.

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