MANDATORY CONTINUING EDUCATION ON DISABLED ACCESS REQUIREMENTS
In September 2008, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 1608 into law. SB 1608 creates a mandatory continuing education (MCE) requirement on disability access for California architects as a condition of license renewal. The bill also requires licensees to provide documentation from the course provider to the California Architects Board (Board) with the renewal application.
How do I comply with this requirement?
- Complete coursework on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, state laws governing access to public facilities, and federal and state regulations adopted pursuant to those laws.
- Fill out a Coursework Provider Documentation Form. Upon completion of an AIA San Francisco continuing education program, you will receive the required paperwork to submit with your renewal application to ease reporting.
- Return the Coursework Provider Documentation Form along with your application to renew the license – the course provider does not turn in the form on your behalf.
How many hours of coursework do I need?
The amount of coursework hours required to renew a license was phased in during the 2009 renewal cycle, and will require all architects to complete five hours to renew in 2011 and every subsequent renewal cycle.
Below is a breakdown of the coursework hours requirements.
| Renewal Year
| # of hours needed |
| 2009 (renewing in 2010) | 2.5 hours |
| 2011 and beyond | 5 hours |
Can extra MCE hours be carried over and counted towards the next license renewal cycle?
No. The law does not allow for carry over MCE hours.
Does AIA San Francisco have any upcoming MCE Classes?
Yes! Our next class is:
Disabled Access: Mandatory Continuing Education Lecture (5 MCEs/HSWs)
Key Accessibility Components for Site and Building Accessibility as well as Assembly, Business/Mercantile and Educational Occupancies
December 03, 2010 9 am - 3:00 pm
Instructor: Gilda Puente-Peters, Principal of Gilda Puente-Peters, Architects (GPPA)
Can I complete my Mandatory Continuing Education Requirement Online?
Yes! The AIACC and AIA SF are pleased to announce new online courses that can be taken to satisfy your MCE requirement and are AIA/CES HSW approved. If you’ve already completed your licensure requirements for 2009, these courses will count for your 2011 renewal. Click here for course information.
Still have questions?
Download AIA CC's frequently asked questions here.
