The Board transitioned to a two-year renewal cycle in 2009, so that odd-numbered license holders renew in odd-numbered years and even-numbered license holders renew in even-numbered years.

May I claim CPE credit for activities completed prior to July 1st?

Not usually. CPE credits may only be acquired July 1st through June 30th of each renewal cyce.  However, carryover from the last renewal period is allowed (up to a maximum of 12 hours) and carryover on file is printed on the renewal form sent to you by the Board office. In some cases, architects may have obtained CPE during the last renewal period, but did not report the credits on last year's renewal form. You may request to amend last year's renewal in writing and provide evidence of completion for those CPE credits. No credit will be given if the credits were previously reported or no evidence of completion is provided.

May I claim CPE credit for activities completed after June 30th?

Perhaps. The deadline for renewals is July 1st.  However, you may send in your renewal up to 30 days late with no additional charge if the CPE was obtained prior to July 1st. If you submit your renewal between 31-60 days late, there is a $100 late fee charged. If you also report CPE you obtain after July 1st, but during the grace period, an additional $100 late CPE reporting fee is required. This is in addition to the $100 late renewal fee. So, renewing may cost $200, $300, or $400, depending on your circumstances. Go to the next Q/A for more information on fees.

How much does it cost to renew?

The fees vary, depending on your circumstances. If everything is on time and CPE is within the renewal cycle, it will cost $200 to renew.  If you hold an odd-numbered license, renewals are due by July 1st of every odd-numbered year.  If you hold an even-numbered license, renewals are due by July 1st of every even-numbered year. You can find this information in OAR 806-010-0090 and 806-010-0105. Below is a breakdown of possible fees:

• $200 if renewed timely (even or odd-numbered years), and CPE is obtained between July 1st and June 30th of the two-year renewal cycle.  (for example, for odd-numbered license holders renewing by 7/1/2011, who obtain CPE between 7/1/09 and 6/30/11).
• $300 if renewed by the deadline, but CPE is obtained after June 30th of the renewal cycle (for example, for odd-numbered license holders who obtained/reported CPE on July 15, 2011).
• $300 if reporting CPE obtained between July 1st and June 30th of your renewal cycle, but you submit your renewal after July 31st of your renewal cycle (even or odd-numbered years).  For example, for odd-numbered license holders who obtained CPE between 7/1/09 and 6/30/11, but did not submit their complete renewal to the Board until August 15, 2011.
• $400 if you report CPE after June 30th of your renewal cycle end, and you submit your complete renewal after July 31st of your renewal cycle end.  For example, for odd-numbered license holders who obtained CPE between 7/1/11-8/30/11, and did not submit a complete renewal to the Board office until August 15, 2011. 

How much CPE is required to renew?

CPE is calculated at the equivalent of 1 hour of CPE for every month of registration.  For a normal two-year renewal, that means 24 hours of CPE is required to renew.  For those newly licensed during the cycle, it is pro-rated (1 hour per month).

May I carry forward CPE when I exceed the requirement?

Yes. If a registrant exceeds the CPE requirement for renewal, the registrant may carry a maximum of 12 hours forward into the next renewal period.

What is meant by one CPE hour?

A CPE hour represents a minimum of 50 minutes of actual course time. No credit is allowed for CPE less than this amount. Credit will not be allowed for introductory remarks, meals, breaks, or administration matters related to courses of study.

Will the Board allow credit for activities lasting less than one hour?

No. However, registrants may claim credit for partial hours when an activity exceeds one hour total. For example, a registrant may claim 6.5 hours credit for an activity lasting 6.5 hours, but may not claim 1 CPE hour of credit for any CPE lasting less than one CPE hour.

Will the Board accept the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) continuing education activities?

Yes. The Board will accept the AIA continuing education transcript when attached to a completed and signed renewal form. However, be sure the transcript is yours and that you record your AIA number on the front of your renewal form.

Do I have to list my CPE on the renewal application form?

There are several ways to report CPE to the Board. Some of the most common ways are, as follows:

• List the CPE you obtained directly on the renewal form. If you need more room, you can copy that page of the renewal and fill in the additional page(s). If you do this, just be sure you sign and date all additional pages and be sure you attach all additional pages to your renewal before you submit it to the Board.
• Provide an AIA transcript. If you do this, do not list the CPE on the renewal form. Instead write "See attached AIA transcript". Then, be sure your AIA number is recorded on the renewal form and make sure the transcript is yours and that is is attached to the renewal form you submit.
• Some folks keep track of CPE on a spreadsheet or in some other manner. This is not recommended as the means to report your CPE to the Board as it may delay processing or cause your renewal to be incomplete.  However, if you do choose this method, you must watch several things to be sure your CPE is accepted in this manner:
  • that all the information requested on the renewal form is included on the spreadsheet;
  • that the CPE is HSW and is clearly identified, that you do not list the CPE on the renewal form but instead write "See attachment", and then be sure to sign and date the attachment and, of course, make sure it is attached to the renewal you submit.

Will the Board accept the AIA's determination that activities qualify for HSW (health, safety, welfare) credits?

Yes.

Is the AIA' Learning Unit Hour (LU Hour) comparable to the Board's Contact Hour?

Yes (hour per hour)

Who determines whether an activity qualifies?

Oregon registrants determine for themselves whether an activity is acceptable education. However, the CPE must be the minimum allowed, must meet the allowable activities defined in rule and must have been obtained within the allowable time frame.  Also, if you are selected to participate in a CPE audit, you must be able to demonstrate your findings with acceptable documentation.

After the renewal period, the Board performs a random audit on a number of licensees. During the audit, the details of the reported CPE are examined and licensees must be prepared to justify their determination and provide evidence of completing all CPE activities reported on their renewal. During the audit, those selected who claimed exemptions because they report CPE in another jurisdiction must demonstrate compliance with that state's CPE requirement.

The AIA transcript may be suffiicient evidence for most CPE; however, all self-reported CPE requires further evidence of completion. See OAR 806-010-0145 for examples of acceptable structured educational activities and record-keeping requirements.

Do code related activities qualify as HSW?

Yes.

Do community service activities qualify for CPE credit when related to the practice of architecture?

Community service activities may qualify if they meet the definition of health, safety and welfare (HSW) subject matter. Being community service by itself does not make the activity qualify as acceptable CPE. See the allowable activities defined in the rule.

Does LEED certification count as acceptable CPE?

No.  Being certified is not an allowable CPE activity.  However, once you have received a certificate, the study hours used to pass the test are allowed (see OAR 806-010-0145(6)(f)).

What are some activities that are not allowable to use to meet the CPE requirements for renewal?

Allowable activities are included in the rules under OAR 806-010-0145(6). Some of the activities that are not allowed are included under subsection (7) of the same rule; such as:

• You may use the same CPE only once during a renewal period to meet the requirements. Even if you took the same CPE on different dates, it may be used only once.
• Time spent in unstructured programs or self-directed study.
• Time spent on architectural education tours of cities, buildings, or public places, unless there is a significant HSW component to the tour curriculum. You must be prepared to demonstrate the HSW component if you wish to receive credit in this category.
• Time spent in any teaching program sharing professional skills (such as the Architects in Schools Program).

In the event of an audit, will the AIA's Transcript of Continuing Education Activities provide sufficient documentation for completion of the Board's CPE activities?

Usually. Audited registrants will be asked to provide additional documentation of their activities if they are self-reported activities. Registrants are required to keep backup documentation of their activities for a period of two years after renewal of the license. Note: Do not send CPE documentation to the Board office unless you receive written notice that you were selected to participate in the audit.  Documentation sent outside of the audit may be destroyed or returned to you.

What if my CPE hours are disallowed?

If the Board disallows any CPE hours during the CPE audit, the registrant may have six months from notice of disallowance to make up the deficiency by acquiring the required number of hours. These hours cannot be used again in any subsequent renewal. No such allowance will be made if after notice and hearing (if requested), the Board finds that the architect willfully disregarded the CPE requirements.

CPE is not considered disallowed if it is obtained outside the reporting period. CPE is allowed only during the reporting cycle. If, as a result, you do not meet the renewal requirements, it is considered an incomplete application and will be returned to you as such.

What happens if I fail to comply with the Board's CPE requirements?

CPE is a condition of renewal. Failure to fulfill the CPE requirements, pay the appropriate renewal fees (including all late renewal fees, if applicable), and file the required report properly completed, signed, and returned to the Board office by the final deadline, will result in non-renewal and the architect's registration will be placed in inactive status. See OAR 806-010-0060 for reinstatement requirements.

If an architect is not licensed for the full renewal cycle prior to the first renewal, are they exempt from the CPE requirements?

No. The CPE required for the 1st renewal after initial license or reinstatement is pro-rated at 1 hour per month (including 1 hour for the month of licensure) thru June of the license expiration year (even or odd numbered years).