What you need to do to reinstate a Connecticut architectural license

To reinstate an inactive or lapsed Connecticut architectural license, you must file a reinstatement request with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), Occupational Licensing Division. The process requires you to pay a reinstatement fee, confirm your continuing education hours, and sometimes pass a jurisprudence exam depending on how long your license has been inactive. Connecticut does not require you to retake the full Architect Registration Examination (ARE) if you meet the reinstatement conditions.

The specific path depends on whether your license is currently inactive (you chose not to renew) or expired (you missed the renewal important date). Both routes use the same reinstatement process, but the timeline and documentation differ slightly.

Key Takeaways

  • Connecticut requires you to submit a reinstatement process to the DCP Occupational Licensing Division, along with the reinstatement fee, which varies depending on your license type and how long it has been inactive.
  • You must document completion of continuing education hours required during the period your license was inactive, or you may be required to complete those hours before reinstatement is approved.
  • If your license has been inactive for more than five years, Connecticut typically requires you to pass a jurisprudence exam covering current state laws and regulations before reinstatement.
  • The reinstatement process is submitted directly to the DCP; there is no online portal, so you will mail or hand-deliver your documents to the licensing office in Hartford.
  • Processing time for reinstatement requests is typically four to eight weeks from the date the DCP receives a complete process.

Reinstatement fee and payment requirements

Connecticut charges a reinstatement fee that depends on your license classification (architect, associate architect, or intern architect) and the length of time your license has been inactive. The fee is non-refundable. As of the most recent DCP fee schedule, reinstatement fees range from approximately $150 to $300, but you should contact the DCP directly to confirm the exact amount for your license type, as fees are subject to change.

Payment must be made by check or money order payable to the "State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection." Do not send cash. Include the payment with your reinstatement process when you mail it to the DCP office. If you hand-deliver your process, you can pay in person by check, money order, or credit card if the office accepts card payments at the time of submission.

Continuing education requirements during the inactive period

Connecticut requires architects to complete continuing education (CE) hours during each renewal period. If your license has been inactive, you must document the CE hours you completed during the time your license was not renewed. The requirement is typically 24 hours per two-year renewal period, though this can vary. If you did not complete the required hours while your license was inactive, you have two options: complete the missing hours before submitting your reinstatement process, or request that the DCP allow you to complete them after reinstatement as a condition of approval.

CE courses must be approved by the Connecticut DCP or by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). When you submit your reinstatement process, include documentation of all CE courses you completed—this usually means course completion certificates or transcripts from the provider. If you are missing hours, include a plan showing when and where you will complete them. The DCP will review your CE record and notify you if additional hours are required before your reinstatement can be finalized.

Jurisprudence exam requirement for licenses inactive five years or longer

If your architectural license has been inactive for more than five years, Connecticut requires you to pass a jurisprudence exam before reinstatement. This exam tests your knowledge of Connecticut's architectural practice laws, the state building code, and current regulations affecting architects. The exam is administered by the DCP and covers material specific to Connecticut; it is not the same as the ARE or any national exam.

You must schedule the jurisprudence exam separately after you submit your reinstatement process. The DCP will provide exam details and scheduling information once your process is received. The exam fee is separate from the reinstatement fee. You do not need to pass the exam before submitting your reinstatement process, but you must pass it before your reinstatement is finalized. Most candidates prepare by reviewing the Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 20-301 (Architects) and the current Connecticut Building Code.

How to submit your reinstatement process

Obtain the reinstatement process form from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection website or by calling the Occupational Licensing Division directly at (860) 713-6100. The form asks for your current contact information, your license number, the date your license became inactive, and a summary of your professional activities during the inactive period (even if you were not actively practicing, the DCP wants to know what you were doing).

Gather the following documents before you submit: your completed reinstatement process form, the reinstatement fee (check or money order), documentation of CE hours completed during the inactive period, and a copy of your original license or a letter from the DCP confirming your license number and status. Mail all documents to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Occupational Licensing Division, 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 110, Hartford, CT 06103. You may also hand-deliver your process during business hours. Do not email or fax your process unless the DCP specifically instructs you to do so.

Timeline and what to expect after you submit

The DCP typically acknowledges receipt of your process within one week. If your process is incomplete, the DCP will send you a letter listing the missing documents or information. You then have 30 days to submit the missing items; if you do not, your process may be denied and you will need to start over. Once your process is complete, processing usually takes four to eight weeks.

During processing, the DCP reviews your CE documentation, verifies your license history, and (if applicable) schedules your jurisprudence exam. If everything is in order and you pass the jurisprudence exam (if required), the DCP will issue a reinstatement approval letter and a new license certificate. Your license will be active again on the date the DCP approves your reinstatement, not the date you applied. You should not represent yourself as a licensed architect until you receive written confirmation from the DCP.

Common mistakes that delay reinstatement

The most frequent error is submitting incomplete CE documentation. The DCP requires original course completion certificates or official transcripts from the course provider—photocopies or informal records are not accepted. If you completed courses years ago and cannot locate the certificates, contact the course provider or the AIA chapter where you took the course and request official documentation. This step alone can add four weeks to your timeline.

A second common mistake is failing to include the correct fee amount or paying by a method the DCP does not accept. Always call ahead to confirm the exact reinstatement fee for your license type and verify that the DCP accepts the payment method you plan to use. A third mistake is not scheduling the jurisprudence exam early enough if your license has been inactive for more than five years. The exam is not automatic; you must request it, and scheduling can take two to three weeks. Plan to schedule it as soon as the DCP tells you it is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I practice architecture while my reinstatement process is being reviewed?

No. You cannot legally practice architecture or use the title "architect" until your reinstatement is approved in writing by the DCP. Practicing on an inactive or expired license is a violation of Connecticut law and can result in fines and disciplinary action. If you need to practice before your reinstatement is complete, you must work under the supervision of a licensed architect or hold a temporary permit (if available).

What if I cannot find my CE documentation from years ago?

Contact the course provider, the AIA, or the institution where you took the course and request official proof of completion. Most providers keep records for at least seven years. If the provider no longer exists or has no record, explain this in a letter to the DCP and provide any documentation you do have. The DCP may allow you to complete additional CE hours to make up for the missing documentation, or it may waive the requirement if you can show good faith effort to locate the records.

Do I have to retake the ARE to reinstate my license?

No. Connecticut does not require you to retake the full Architect Registration Examination for reinstatement. You only need to pass the jurisprudence exam if your license has been inactive for more than five years. If your license was inactive for five years or less, you do not need to take any exam.

How long does reinstatement usually take from start to finish?

If your process is complete and your license was inactive for five years or less, reinstatement typically takes four to eight weeks. If you must take the jurisprudence exam, add two to three weeks for scheduling and exam administration. If you are missing CE documentation, add four to six weeks to locate and submit it. Plan for a total of two to four months in most cases.

Can I reinstate my license if I was disciplined or had complaints filed against me?

A prior disciplinary action or complaint does not automatically prevent reinstatement, but the DCP will review your disciplinary history as part of the reinstatement process. If you have unresolved complaints or ongoing disciplinary cases, the DCP may deny your reinstatement or require you to resolve those matters first. Contact the DCP before submitting your process if you have concerns about your disciplinary record.