Rhode Island Architect CE Requirements (2026): 24 Hours Every 2 Years
Requirements Overview
The Rhode Island Board of Examination and Registration of Architects (Division of Design Professionals) sets continuing education under rule 415-RICR-00-00-1.8. You must complete 12 Continuing Education Hours (CEH) each calendar year — a total of 24 CEH across the biennial renewal period. Registrations renew December 31 of odd-numbered years.
Every hour must come from a Structured Educational Activity in Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) subjects; all 24 must be HSW. The Board does not preapprove courses or providers and will accept any course designated as HSW. Up to 8 CEH per biennium may be earned through approved service on a board or commission.
Architects first registered mid-period owe a prorated 1 CEH per month of that first registration period. Emeritus, active-military, and hardship registrants may be exempt. Keep completion certificates or an AIA transcript for six years.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health, Safety & Welfare (HSW) | 24 | Every renewal | All 24 CEH per biennium (12 each calendar year) must be earned through Structured Educational Activities in Health, Safety and Welfare subjects. The Board does not preapprove providers and accepts any course designated as HSW. |
Exemptions
- Emeritus Registrants — Architects holding emeritus registration are exempt from the continuing education requirement (§1.8(G)).
- Active Military Duty — Architects on active military duty may be exempt from the continuing education requirement (§1.8(G)).
- Hardship — Board-recognized hardship cases may be granted an exemption (§1.8(G)).
How You Can Complete Your CE
Rhode Island CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Rhode Island that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Annual minimum — at least 12 hours must be completed each year of the cycle, not just by the renewal deadline.
- The requirement is measured per calendar year: 12 structured HSW CEH each calendar year, totaling 24 CEH across the two-year renewal period. All hours must be HSW.
- Registrations renew biennially, due December 31 of odd-numbered years.
- An architect first registered during a biennial period earns a prorated requirement of 1 CEH per month of that first registration period.
- Up to 8 CEH per biennium may be earned through approved service on a board or commission.
- Documentation (completion certificates or an AIA transcript) must be retained for 6 years from the date of award.
Tips for Rhode Island Architects
- Meet 12 CEH in each calendar year — because the minimum is annual, you cannot bank all 24 hours in a single year of the two-year cycle.
- Confirm every course carries the HSW designation. Rhode Island accepts any HSW-designated course but requires all hours be structured HSW activities.
- If you sit on an approved board or commission, that service can supply up to 8 of your 24 CEH for the biennium.
- Newly registered architects owe only 1 CEH per month of their first registration period — verify your prorated total with the Board.
- Retain your completion certificates or AIA transcript for six years; the Board does not preapprove providers, so your own records are your proof if audited.
Sources
Each figure on this page is taken directly from the Rhode Island Board of Examination and Registration of Architects's official rules and continuing-education sources and recorded with the exact source excerpt. Last verified Jul 2026. Read how we compile and verify this data.