With the end of the year just around the corner, it’s easy to get caught up in project deadlines, holiday plans, and everything else on your to-do list. Before the end-of-year chaos sets in, take a moment to consult your Member Portal to make sure you’re on track with the credits you need for maintaining both your AIA membership and your architectural license(s). Below, we’ve outlined key continuing education requirements and highlighted upcoming opportunities to help you earn the learning units you need to finish the year strong!

Continuing Education (CE) Requirements for AIA Membership

AIA measures continuing education in Learning Units (LUs). One hour of continuing education earns the participant one LU. It is essential to complete the required number of units in order to maintain your AIA designation.

	AIA Architect	International Associate	Architect Emeritus	Associate
Total Number of Required Learning Units	18 LUs from registered AIA/CES providers must be completed annually.  Of the 18 LUs, a minimum of 12 LUs must be in the topic areas of health, safety, and welfare (HSW).	18 LUs from registered AIA/CES providers must be completed annually. Of the 18 LUs, a minimum of 12 LUs must be in the topic areas of health, safety, and welfare (HSW).	1 LU from registered AIA/CES provider must be completed annually; can be either HSW or Elective LU.	Not required to meet a minimum number of LUs, but completing continuing education courses increases your skills and knowledge.  Some completed LUs count toward AXP requirements.  Contact NCARB for more info.

Continuing Education (CE) Requirements by State

VIRGINIA

• Licensing Board: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
• Total Hours: 16 Hours
• Detail: 16 LUs (CE calculated for previous two licensing years)
• Renewal Cycle: Biennial (from year of licensure)
• Renewal Deadline: Renewal date is last day of licensure month

MARYLAND

• Licensing Board: Maryland Board of Architects
• Total Hours: 24 Hours
• Detail: 24 HSW LUs (Min. 12 HSW LUs per year for previous two calendar years prior to the year of renewal, Jan.–Dec. Max. 12 HSW LUs carryover to next license renewal. No LUs due at first license renewal.)
• Renewal Cycle: Biennial (from year of licensure)
• Renewal Deadline: Renewal date is licensure date

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (DC)

• Licensing Board: Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances
• Total Hours: 24 Hours
• Detail: 24 HSW LUs (Total CE for two-year licensing period. No LUs due at first license renewal.)
• Renewal Cycle: Biennial
• Renewal Deadline: April 30, even years

For more information about continuing education requirements for states not listed, visit the AIA website.

Upcoming Events with Continuing Education Credits

If you recently realized you are a few credits short, fear not – you still have time to join one of several continuing education programs taking place through the end of the year.

Program Name	Date	Number of Credits	Location
Virtual Lunch & Learn | Ceramic Tile 101	Tuesday, Oct. 27	1.0 AIA LU|Elective	Virtual
Diversity in Architecture: Expanding Representation, Equity, and Impact in the Built Environment	Wednesday, Oct. 28	1.0 AIA LU|Elective	Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center
Women’s Leadership Summit 2026	Sunday, Nov. 1 – Tuesday, Nov. 3	A total of 58.5 AIA LUs with the option of up to 16.5 LU|HSW	Kansas City, MO
Architecture Exchange East	Wednesday, Nov. 4 – Friday, Nov. 6	A total of 17.75 AIA LUs with the option of up to 5 AIA LU|HSW over 2.5 days	Richmond, VA
A CRAN-Packed Afternoon: Home Tour, Seminar, Lunch & Networking	Friday, Nov. 13	1.0 AIA LU|Elective + 1.0 AIA LU|HSW	Arlington, VA
Safety Assessment Program (SAP) Evaluator Training	Wednesday, Nov. 18 – Thursday, Nov. 19	6.5 AIA LU|HSW	Virtual
WIA Beyond the Podium	Tuesday, Dec. 1	1.0 AIA LU|Elective	Arlington, VA
ONWARD: Lessons in Making Architecture Firm Policies, Benefits, and LGBTQIA+ Lives More Inclusive	Tuesday, Dec. 8	1.0 AIA LU|Elective	Virtual
AIA NoVA COTE Dialogue Series – The Hidden Payoff: How Energy Builds Value and Resilience	Wednesday, Dec. 9	1.0 AIA|LU Elective	Alexandria, VA

Conclusion

As an AIA Member, learning units earned through any AIA CE Provider will be recorded on your transcript. Take a few minutes to review your transcript in the Member Portal to ensure you have met the total number of learning units required for both AIA and your state’s licensing board. If you are short a learning unit or two, we welcome you to join one of the aforementioned sessions! We also recommend visiting our event calendar periodically as additional continuing education programs may become available. Please reach out to Member Experience Coordinator, Julia Deupree at [email protected] with any questions.