Requirements for Architects, Engineers and Surveyors' Licensure and Exam
PURPOSE OF LICENSURE:
To set standards of qualifications, education, training, and experience for persons engaged in the fields of Architecture, Engineering and Land Surveying. To promote high standards of professional performance for those persons working in the profession.
PERIOD OF LICENSURE:
All permanent licenses are issued on an annual basis from September 1 to August 31 of each calendar year. Temporary Licenses are issued for specific projects only.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applicant must meet the specified educational and experience requirements. Completed and notarized application, which may be obtained from any board member or at the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs.
Three (3) 2x2 photographs of applicant.
Copy of current registration or license must be provided.
Three (3) professional references, with copies of registration or license, sent directly to the board.
Two (2) character references.
NCEES or NCARB Record; or,
- Official copy of college transcript,
- Verification of passing the NCEES or ARE Examination and current License/registration from another State.
Payment of Required Fee
EXAMINATION:
All persons interested in becoming a licensed Architect, Engineer or Land Surveyor in the Virgin Islands who are not registered in any other U.S. jurisdiction will be required to sit the respective national examinations. The examinations are prescribed by or must be equivalent to that required by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the National Council of State Boards of Engineering Examiners (NCEES). Engineers and Land Surveyors applicants are required to pass both the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the NCEES Principles & Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. Architect applicants are to pass all sections of the ARE.
The Architect's ARE Examination is available electronically throughout the year. The NCEES Engineer’s and Land Surveyor's Principles and Practice Examination is given in April and October of each calendar year. The NCEES Engineer’s and Land Surveyor's Fundamental Examination is available electronically throughout the year.
RENEWAL OF LICENSE:
In order to renew both a professional and/or a business license, the licensee must visit the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs’ (DLCA) website, www.dlca.vi.gov , and provide the following:
- Apply at DLCAs’ website, www.dlca.vi.gov, and register or login. Input or verify the required information, choose your payment option, and obtain a reference “control” number.
- Electronic Tax Approval from the V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue.
- Payment of required License fees.
License Fees:
| Architects | $130.00 | Engineering Firm | $130.00 |
| Engineers | $130.00 | Architecture Firm | $130.00 |
| Land Surveyors | $52.00 | Land Surveying Firm | $52.00 |
| Architect/Engineer-in-Training | $65.00 | Non-Refundable Application Fee | $50.00 |
| $50.00 |
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSING
No person may be licensed as an engineer, architect, or land surveyor unless such person submits satisfactory proof to the Board that he (1) is at least at the age of twenty-one years; (2) is a citizen of the United States and has been a resident of the Virgin Islands for at least one year previous to the date of application; (3) is of good moral character; and (4) further qualifies under one of the following provisions:
(a) LICENSURE BY RECIPROCITY
A person holding a valid license or certificate issued by a state or territory of the United States or by a foreign country may upon application be registered in the Virgin Islands. The foreign country must have a national registration board of scope and standing corresponding to the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and the National Council of State Boards of Engineering Examiners.
(b) GRADUATION, EXPERIENCE AND EXAMINATION
A graduate from an accredited architectural, engineering, or land surveying curriculum of four or more years, approved by the Board, with an additional two years or more of specific and active experience in the field, shall be admitted to an examination.
An applicant who has a high school diploma and eight years or more of specific and active experience in architecture, engineering, or land surveying shall be admitted to an examination, equivalent to that required by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and the National Council of State Boards of Engineering Examiners.
An applicant with a record of at least twelve years of specific and active practice in architecture, engineering, or land surveying shall be admitted to sit the respective 8 hour national examinations..
(e) ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS-IN-TRAINING:
Any person who has met the general requirements for licensing and has a degree from an accredited college in engineering or architecture curriculum shall be granted a certificate as an architect or engineer-in-training without examination.
An applicant who has evidence of two or more years of experience in engineering or architecture shall be admitted to examination to test the applicant’s knowledge of fundamental engineering or architectural subjects. Passing this portion of the examination shall entitle applicant to a certificate as an architect or engineer-in-training. The applicant can then take the additional portion of the examination to be licensed as a professional architect or engineer.
NCARB ARE Exam is computer-based and is given year-round by Prometric’s at:
Prometric Test Center
2 John Brewers Bay, CELL Building Room 105, 00802, St. Thomas
NCARB Customer Service 202-879-0520
If a candidate does not take an ARE division prior to the TAS expiration date, then eligibility to test will expire and the candidate will be unable to schedule any examinations until reauthorized by the Board. Such a candidate, who wishes to continue the licensing process must reapply with the Board and meet the eligibility and licensure requirements in effect at the time they reapply. Presently, this would include documenting completion of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ (NCARB) Intern Development Program.
NCEES Fundamental & Principles and Practice Exam is computer based and given by Pearson Vue at any of their test centers. The nearest test centers for the USVI are:
Pearson Professional Centers-St. Thomas VI
8000 Nisky Shopping Center
Suite 730, East Wing
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802
Pearson Professional Centers-Guaynabo PR
Calle C 475
DASE Building - Suite 502
Los Frailes Industrial
Guaynabo, PR 00969
Pearson Professional Centers-Miami
8615-8617 South Dixie Highway
Miami, Florida 33143
WEBSITE:
www.dlca.vi.gov
MAILING ADDRESSES:
ATTENTION: NATHALIE HODGE
COMMISSIONER/BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Email: nathalie.hodge@dlca.vi.gov
|
ST. CROIX (340) 713-DLCA(3522) phone |
ST. THOMAS |
BOARD MEMBERS
John P. Woods, Chairman
Jeffrey Boschulte, Member
Arthur Burton, Member
Damian Cartwright, Member
Stephen Samuel, Member
Ryan Wisehart, Member
Nathalie Hodge, Commissioner, Ex-Officio/Associate Member
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION:
| ST. CROIX: | Christina Lake Cyntoine Schjang |
Ext. 3251 Ext. 3252 |
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| ST. THOMAS: | Sharene Gumbs Jouvieur Pennyfeather |
sharene.gumbs@dlca.vi.gov Jouvieur.pennyfeather@dlca.vi.gov |
Ext. 4251 Ext. 4252 |
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Revised 11/2024 by the Office of Boards and Commissions
