Continuing Education · California
California Architect CE Requirements & License Renewal
California architects need 10 continuing education hours. Cycle: biennial. Rules change, so confirm with the state board before you renew.
| Total CE hours | 10 |
| HSW hours | See notes |
| Renewal cycle | Biennial |
| License renews | Birth month or issue month (every two years) |
| Required topics | Disability access, 5 hr; Zero-net-carbon design, 5 hr |
| Keep records | 2 years |
| Notes | 5 hrs disability access + 5 hrs zero-net-carbon design. Licenses issued before 2025 expire the last day of the birth month. Licenses issued since expire the last day of the issue month. |
| Official source | State rule or board page |
How to stay compliant in California
- Confirm the current requirement on the California licensing board site. Rules and cycles change.
- Prioritize HSW-designated courses; they satisfy the strictest part of most states’ requirements.
- Keep completion certificates. Most boards can audit several years back.
- If you hold multiple licenses, track each state separately: the ALA CEU Tracker keeps a separate record for each state and sends monthly status reminders.
Official California resources
- California architect licensing board: renewal portal, statutes, and administrative rules
- ICC digital codes library: model codes and state adoptions
Earn your hours with ALA
- Webinars: live LU credit from your desk
- CEU Tracker: every hour logged, every state, one place
Last reviewed September 29, 2026. Requirements vary by license type and can change; the state board is the official source. See all state requirements at a glance.