Virginia Decodedhttps://vacode.org7314354.1-406.1Alternative to education requirement for licensure of architects2025Professions and OccupationsProfessions and Occupations Regulated by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and Boards Within the DepartmentArchitects, Engineers, Surveyors, Landscape Architects and Interior DesignersArchitects, Engineers, Surveyors and Landscape Architects

A. The Board shall adopt regulations establishing work and education experience equivalencies that shall provide an alternative to the requirement of a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) pursuant to 18VAC10-20-110. In establishing an alternative pathway to a NAAB-accredited degree, the Board shall require a minimum of 10 years of qualifying work experience, education experience, or combination of work and education experience.

B. In establishing qualifying work and education experience under this section, the Board shall adopt regulations establishing a credit system to account for varying degrees of work and education experience and such credit system shall be based on the applicability of such work or education experience to the practice of architecture.

C. The Board shall develop requirements for applicants seeking licensure to certify work and education experience on an annual basis.

2025, cc. 534, 541.