Licensing in Hawaii

Licensing of Architects in Hawaii is regulated by the State to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare.

  • The Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL) Division (Web), a division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), is responsible for 25 professional boards and commissions and 24 licensing programs in Hawaii including architects, landscape architects, engineers, and surveyors.
  • Here (Web) you can request an application, inquire about licensing requirements, check on the status of an application, and inquire about maintaining your license.
  • “MyPVL” FAQs (PDF).

Professional and Vocational Licensing: (808) 586-3000

RICO Consumer Resource Center (Web): (808) 587-3295 or (808) 587-4272.

Questions about licensure for Architects in Hawaii?

Contact the Engineer, Architect, Surveyor and Landscape Architect (EASLA) Board (Web).  They have information on how to become licensed in Hawaii, how to transfer your Architect license issued by another state, or the laws and rules governing the licensing and practice of architecture in Hawaii.

Renew Your Hawaii License Online and On Time!

The State of Hawaii's renewal cycle for professional licensing of Architects, Engineers, Surveyors and Landscape Architects is every two years in April. The next date for license renewal will be April 30, 2026 (2028, 2030).

Between May 1, 2022 – April 30, 2024, You Need 16 Hours of Education

Architects renewing their license must certify that they have met the 16 hours of continuing education (CE) over the biennium (2-year license period) in public protection topics, health, safety and welfare (HSW); as required by the State of Hawaii. Fulfillment of the CE requirement is subject to random audit by the State of Hawaii. In most cases, the AIA HSW requirement for members will meet the State provision.

AIA Members: Check your AIA transcripts (Web) using the date range of May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2026.

Non-Members: Keep and maintain your own education records up to date in case of audit. Read more here (Web).

Renewal postcard reminders will be mailed out March 2, 2026. Renew online at My PVL (Web).

To be guaranteed a pocket card by April 30, 2026, renewals should be submitted by March 30, 2026. Failure to renew by your license expiration date will result in the forfeiture of the license. Read more here (Web).

Newly Licensed?

If a person was licensed during the 1st year of the biennium, 8 CE credits are required. If licensed during the 2nd year of the biennium, no CE credits are required.

Licensed in other States?

Check here (Web) to see the CES requirements for all 50 states and District of Columbia. Choose the appropriate state from the dropdown menu to view state requirements and be linked to their licensing jurisdiction.

To learn more about these laws, the Hawaii Revised Statues (HRS), set by the State Legislature, should be your source of information. Specifically, HRS 464 (PDF) talks about the Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects.

See the following link to view our Licensing of Architects in Hawaii Flyer (PDF).

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