State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors: Architect Continuing Education FAQs

Q: Is Continuing Education required?

A: Yes, law that became effective July 1, 2009 requires architects to complete CE in order to renew their Colorado architect licenses.

Q: Where can I find all the details about the Architect CE requirements for renewal?

A: All the rules and regulations about the Architect CE requirements can be found in the Board Bylaws and Rules. See Board Rule 4.9.3.1.2.

Q: Can I use any CE I completed in any previous calendar year?

A: No. In order to renew your license in 2017, your CE must be completed in each of the 2016and 2017 calendar years. There is no carryover of CE between calendar years or renewal periods.

Q: I don't live in the State of Colorado. Does that mean I need to comply with the Colorado law in regard to CE?

A: Yes. If you wish to renew or hold a Colorado Architect license, you must comply with state statutes and Board Rules.

Q: Can I carry over CE activities from a previous calendar year or renewal period?

A: No, there is no carryover of excess Continuing Education Hours (CEH).

Q: When did the Colorado Board change the CE reporting period to calendar years?

A: The Board Rule was adopted by the Board at the Rulemaking Hearing in September 2011 and became effective January 1, 2012.

Q: Why did the Colorado Board change the CE reporting period to calendar years?

A: The Colorado Board decided to align with the NCARB Model Law passed by NCARB's 54 U.S. Member Boards in June 2011to help licensees. One approach nationally, using the same terminology, requiring the same amount of continuing education hours, on the same calendar, and requiring the same qualitative content, will be much easier for licensees to comply and the focus will be on continuing education.

Q: Where can I get the form needed to show that I completed or attended a class or lecture?

A: This documentation can be in different formats, but you will be required to demonstrate retention, which may be in the form of an examination, quiz or test given at the conclusion of a presentation, lecture or online course. You can also complete a structured form that includes the required information. Download the Continuing Education Structured Report Form.

Q: What does CE mean?

A: CE is an abbreviation for "Continuing Education."

Q: What is a CEH?

A: CEH stands for "Continuing Education Hours" and is the Board's measure of a CE activity. One CEH shall consist of 50 to 60 minutes of continuous actual educational instruction, presentation or activity in Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) subjects. This activity must be a structured educational effort and meet the criteria as an acceptable activity outlined in Board Rules. It is not required that the CEH be acquired within the State of Colorado.

Q: What is HSW?

A: HSW stands for Health, Safety and Welfare. For more information and the definition of HSW, refer to Board Rule 4.9.3.1.2.8.

Q: Is a Learning Unit (LU) the same as a CEH?

A: Not necessarily. One CEH shall consist of 50 to 60 minutes of continuous actual educational instruction spent in structured educational activities, and in HSW subjects. If your activity does not meet this criteria as an acceptable activity outlined in Board Rules, it may not comply.

Q: What is the CE "Calendar Year"?

A: A CE calendar year is based on the calendar, i.e. January 1 through December 31.

Q: What is a "proof of retention" or a "process or procedure that demonstrates whether the architect retained the material presented in the activity"?

A: A process or procedure that demonstrates whether the architect retained the material presented in an activity is required by law and Board Rule. Proof of retention has been defined by the Board as proof of exam, quiz or test scores or the Board's Continuing Education Structured Form. See Board Rule 4.9.3.1.2.9.

Q: How many classes and/or hours do I need to be able to renew my Architect license which expires October 31, 2017?

A: View the Continuing Education Rule Chart or Board Rule 4.9.3.1.2.5 for the required hours. The CEH does not need to be acquired within the State of Colorado. A law effective July 1, 2009 requires architects to complete CE in order to renew their Colorado architect licenses. Effective January 1, 2012, 12 CEH must be completed in each calendar year.

Q: I received my Architect license by endorsement in 2016 or 2017, what are my CE requirements for renewal in 2017?

A: It depends. View the Continuing Education Rule Chart under section (b).

Q: My Architect license was reinstated/reactivated in 2016 or 2017, what are my CE requirements for renewal in 2017?

A: It depends. View the Continuing Education Rule Chart undersection (c).

Q: I just received my Colorado Architect license. Am I required to meet the CE requirements?

A: It depends. If you received your license by endorsement, then you must meet the CE requirements. View the Continuing Education Rule Chart under section (b). If you received your license by exam or transfer of grades, see section (d).

Q: My Architect license is currently inactive. Do I have to meet the CE requirements to renew in an inactive status?

A: No. The Board will maintain a list of inactive licensees who choose not to comply with continuing education. You will be required to meet the requirement when you resume your practice and submit your application to become active. See Board Rule 4.9.2.

Q: How do I send in my CE documentation for my license to be renewed?

A: You do not submit your documentation to renew your license. You will be asked to attest that you have complied with the requirement to complete CE at the time of renewal. Maintain your CE documentation, and if audited, you will be required to submit that proof within 30 days. However, you are required to maintain your documentation for a specified time. See Board Rule 4.9.3.1.2.14.

Q: What are the CE requirements to renew my license in 2019?

A: At the present time, in order to maintain an active license, you must meet the CE requirement of a minimum of 12 CEHs completed in each calendar year in Health, Safety and Welfare, show proof of retention,in the two calendar years of renewal, i.e. 2018 and 2019 for the October 31, 2019 renewal. View the Continuing Education Rule Chart. However, as there could be future changes in the requirements, you should frequently check the Board's website and the board rules.

Q: Can I change my license to an inactive status or let it expire, complete my CE, and then quickly change my license back to active?

A: Not necessarily. An inactive or expired license status will not allow you to practice as or hold out as an Architect. A licensee should be cautious about changing a license status to inactive or allowing the license to expire to avoid compliance with any requirements for license renewal, including Continuing Education.

Q: How do I get a list of approved activities, courses or programs?

A: The Board does not pre-approve any CE activities, courses, providers or programs, therefore, no list of approved classes or providers is available. The activity must be a structured educational effort and meet all the criteria (including HSW and proof of retention)acquired in the required time period, and must be an acceptable activity outlined in the Board Rules.

Q: Can I apply for CE I received to meet the requirements of other states/organizations to meet the Colorado Board requirements?

A: Yes, as long as they meet all the defined criteria (including beingHSW and proof of retention), were acquired in the required time period, and involve acceptable activity outlined in the Board Rules.

Q: Will all CE activities approved by a professional organization meet the Colorado CE requirements?

A: Not necessarily. The activity must be a structured educational effort and meet all the criteria (including HSW and proof of retention) acquired in the required time period, and must be an acceptable activity outlined in the Board Rules.

Q: Do CE activities need to be acquired solely through the American Institute of Architects (AIA)?

A. No. Health, Safety and Welfare lectures, seminars and workshops from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) are also acceptable. Other organizations\' activities may be acceptable as well. They must be a structured educational effort, be HSW, be acquired within the required time period, and meet the acceptable activity criteria as outlined in the Board Rules.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of online or correspondence courses I can take to meet the requirements?

A: No, there is not a limit as long as the activity is a structured educational effort, is HSW, includes a documented process or procedure that demonstrates retention, is acquired within the required time period, and meets all criteria outlined in the Board Rules.

Q: Can I receive credit for a CEH if I serve on my city's building department board?

A: No. There is a list of unacceptable CE activities that includes serving on Federal, State, or municipal boards or commissions. See Board Rule 4.9.3.1.2.12 for the complete list.

Q: Will reading a book or building a house count as a CEH?

A: Not necessarily. The activity must be a structured educational effort and meet the criteria in Board Rule 4.9.3.1.2, must be HSW, include a documented process or procedure that demonstrates retention, must be acquired within the required time period, and must be an acceptable activity outlined in the Board Rules.

Q: Will teaching a course or class count as CE?

A: Not necessarily. CE shall be awarded for the initial class or presentation only. Credit is available for either teaching/presentation OR preparation. The activity must be a structured educational effort (including that it be HSW), include a document process or procedure requiring supervisor verification and meet the criteria in the Board Rules.

Q: Can I receive credit for CEH if I visit or tour a major or historical site?

A: Not necessarily. The activity must be a structured educational effort and meet the criteria in Board Rule 4.9.3.1.2, including that it be HSW, must be acquired within the required time period, be an acceptable activity outlined in Board Rule, and include a documented process or procedure that demonstrates retention (also defined in Board Rule).

Q: Can someone in your office interpret whether a class I took will count?

A: No, but you should be able to determine if your activity meets the definitions and criteria outlined in Board Rule.

Q: How do I get my organization's class or lecture approved by the Board?

A: The Board does not pre-approve any CE activities, courses or programs. The activity must be a structured educational effort acquired within the required time period and meet the criteria, one of which is HSW, and be an acceptable activity outlined in Board Rule.

Q: What kind of documentation must I maintain?

A: Your documentation must meet the minimum record keeping requirements outlined in Board Rule 4.9.3.1.2.14.

Q: Does the AIA transcript qualify as compliant documentation for record keeping?

A. Not necessarily. Review the Board Rule, which defines all elements required to be contained within the documentation.

Q: How do I send in my CE documentation for my license to be renewed?

A: Do not submit your documentation to renew your license. You will be asked to attest at the time of renewal that you have complied with the CE requirements. Maintain your CE documentation, and if audited, you will be required to submit that proof within 30 days. However, you are required to maintain your documentation for a specified time. See Board Rule 4.9.3.1.2.

Q: Where can I get the form needed to show that I completed or attended a class or lecture?

A: This documentation can be in different formats but must meet the minimum standards outlined in Board Rules including the requirement to demonstrate retention, which may be in the form of an examination, quiz or test given at the conclusion of a presentation, lecture or online course. Or, you can complete the Board structured form that includes the required information. Download the Continuing Education Structured Report Form.

Q: How long do I need to keep my CE documentation?

A: Your documentation must be retained for six years from the date of award. If you are audited, you will be required to submit the documentation to the Board within 30 days.

Q: My Architect license is currently inactive. Do I have to meet the CE requirement to renew?

A: No, CE is not required in order to renew an inactive license. See Board Rule 4.9.3.1.2.15(a). The Board will maintain and monitor a list of inactive licenses.

Q: I was recently licensed by exam/transfer of grades. Am I required to meet the CE requirements?

A: If your Colorado license was initially issued by exam or by transfer of grades one year immediately preceding the license expiration date (i.e. November 1, 2016) or after, you are not required to meet the CE requirement for the October 31, 2017 renewal. See Board Rule 4.9.3.1.2.15(b) for the exemption and see the Continuing Education Rule Chart for renewal requirements.

Q: How do I apply to the Board for an exemption to the CE requirement because of military duty?

A: An architect shall not be subject to the requirement for CE in order to renew a license if during the current renewal period, the licensee was called to federally funded active military duty for more than 120 days for the purpose of serving in a war, emergency, or contingency or within the six months following the completion of service in the war, emergency, or contingency. See Board Rule 4.9.3.1.2.15. Licensees shall be required to meet all other licensure requirements, including compliance with the Architecture Practice Act and Board rules.

Q: Can I request an extension to complete my CE requirement?

A: The Board has the sole discretion to decide whether to allow for an exception under Board Rule 4.9.3.1.2.16 based on hardship related to health or other good cause. A written request must include evidence and an explanation, citing in as much detail as possible the inability of the licensee to comply and why the license should remain in active status in order for the case to be considered.

Q: How do I apply to the Board for a hardship exception to the CE requirement?

A: The Board has sole discretion to decide whether to make exceptions to the requirements for reason of an individual hardship including, but not limited to, health or other good cause. A written request must include evidence and an explanation, citing in as much detail as possible, the inability of the licensee to comply and why the license should remain in active status in order for the case to be considered.

Q: What do I do if I did not complete 12 compliant CEH in calendar year 2016 and/or 12 compliant CEH in calendar year 2017?

A: If you did not complete the required 12 CEHs in calendar year 2016, you will need to self-report non compliance in writing to the Board.Please include information as to how many of the 12 CEH were completed and/or the number of CEH you are deficient and provide copies of your compliant certificates of completion. If you determine you have not completed the required 12 CEH in calendar year 2017, you have through the end of the calendar to complete your compliant CEH.

Q:I haven\'t finished the required CE. Can I still renew?

A:In order to maintain your active license, you must meet the CE requirement of a minimum of 12 compliant CEHs completed in each calendar year, i.e. 2016 and 2017 for the October 31, 2017 renewal and 2018 and 2019 for the October 31, 2019 renewal. If you do not, you may be subject to Board discipline.

The renewal requires an attestation that you have completed the required CE. Falsely completing the attestation is not advised.

Q: What if a CE activity is rejected by the Board?

A: If the Board should disallow any CEH as a result of an audit, you will be allowed 60 days to provide one of the following:

Documentation that the CEH meets the criteria, Evidence of acquiring an additional CEH during the required time period, or Remedy the disallowance.