How to Fill Out Florida Form DBPR ARCH-1 (w/Examples) + FAQs

Florida Form DBPR AR 1, often searched as “ARCH-1,” is the Application for Licensure by Examination that anyone seeking to become a registered architect in Florida must submit to the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design inside the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The current version carries a September 2023 revision date and is incorporated by reference under Rule 61-35.002, F.A.C., so using an older version can stall your file before it ever reaches a reviewer.

You worked years on a NAAB-accredited degree, finished the AXP, and passed every division of the ARE. One missed checkbox on this six-page form can delay your seal by months. According to the Board’s published meeting agendas at Florida Board of Architecture meetings, incomplete applications are the single most common reason files are tabled at quarterly review.

Here is what this guide unpacks:

📄 What Form DBPR AR 1 is and exactly who must file it under Section 481.213, F.S.
🧾 Every field, box, and signature line broken down in plain English
🧑‍💼 Three real-world filer scenarios walked from cover sheet to mailing envelope
⚠️ The 10 most common mistakes that get applications rejected or delayed
💬 Twelve answers to the field-level questions filers ask the Customer Contact Center most often

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

Form DBPR AR 1 is the official paper pathway for individuals who have already cleared the three “E’s” — Education, Experience, and Examination — to receive their Florida architect license, also called NCARB Direct Registration. The form is administered by the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design under the rulemaking authority granted in Section 481.2055, F.S., and it routes through the DBPR Division of Professions for processing.

You must file Form AR 1 if all four of the following apply to you. You hold a professional degree from a NAAB-accredited architecture program or a NCARB-evaluated foreign equivalent. You completed the NCARB AXP (formerly IDP) hour requirements. You passed every division of the ARE. You have an active NCARB Council Record ready to transmit to Florida.

You should not file Form AR 1 if the Florida Board authorized you as an examination candidate before July 1, 2012, and you are still mid-exam. Those candidates fall under a transitional pathway and should call the Board at 850-487-1395 before submitting anything. You also should not use AR 1 to apply by endorsement, to qualify a business entity, or to reactivate a delinquent license; each of those uses a different DBPR form referenced in Rule 61-35.002, F.A.C..

The legal stakes are real. Practicing architecture in Florida without a license is a first-degree misdemeanor under Section 481.223, F.S., and the Board can also pursue civil penalties through the Unlicensed Activity Program. Filing AR 1 correctly is the gate between “exam-passer” and “registered architect.”

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Open the form only after you have gathered everything below. The Board reviews files in batches, and a missing item can push your file from one quarterly meeting to the next, costing you 60 to 90 days of practice time. The full list of accepted documents lives in the application checklist on the first page of the form.

Your full legal name exactly as printed on your Social Security card, since DBPR cross-checks against the SSA database under 42 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2)(C)(i).
Your Social Security number, mandatory under Section 559.79, F.S.; without it the application is returned unprocessed.
Your NCARB Record number and transmittal date, which you obtain from your NCARB dashboard.
A non-refundable $35 application fee in the form of a check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, set under Rule 61G1-12.001, F.A.C..
Mailing address and contact details, including a working email since most application questions arrive via email under DBPR’s electronic correspondence policy.
A complete prior-license history for any business or professional license you’ve ever held in any jurisdiction.
Documentation of any prior names, maiden names, or aliases so the Board’s background check returns clean.
Court records and disposition orders for every criminal matter you must disclose under Background Question 1.
Civil judgment paperwork for any judgment touching the practice of architecture, required for Background Question 2.
Prior denial or discipline orders from any other licensing board, required for Background Questions 3 and 4.

If any of these are missing, the Board sends a deficiency letter under Section 120.60(1), F.S., and your 90-day clock for agency action restarts only after you cure the deficiency.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official PDF lives on the Board’s site as DBPR AR 1 – Application for Licensure by Examination, and you should always download a fresh copy rather than reuse a saved version. Form revisions roll out without fanfare, and the version line “Eff. Date: September 2023, Incorporated by Rule: 61-35.002” at the bottom of every page tells you whether you have the current edition.

You can also request a paper copy by mail or by phone. Call the DBPR Customer Contact Center at 850-487-1395, or write to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0790. Mailed copies typically arrive in 7 to 10 business days.

A growing number of architect applicants now apply through the DBPR Online Services portal, which mirrors the AR 1 fields in a guided online wizard. Online filing is faster because the system rejects obvious errors at the keystroke level and accepts credit cards in place of paper checks. The mailing channel still exists, however, because some applicants need to attach voluminous court records or foreign-credential documents that don’t fit cleanly into the portal uploader.

Whichever channel you choose, save the final, signed PDF to your own records before submitting. The Board does not return original applications, and a clean copy in your file is your only proof of what you actually swore to in Section V.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form DBPR AR 1 Line by Line

The form has five sections plus two explanation sub-sections. Move through them in order, because Section IV branches into Sections IV(b) and IV(c) only if you answer “yes” to background questions. The walkthrough below uses the exact field names printed on the official DBPR AR 1 PDF.

Section I — Application Type

This is the simplest section, and it is also where the most casual mistakes happen. There is one box on the form labeled “Licensure by Examination [0201/1031]” and you must place a clear checkmark inside it.

How to answer it: Use a black or blue pen and place a single, dark check or “X” inside the box. Do not circle the label, do not initial next to it, and do not write “yes” beside it.

Example entry: Maria Lopez places a clean black checkmark in the Licensure by Examination box and moves on.

Nuance or edge case: If you are reactivating a delinquent license, do not check this box. You belong on the DBPR AR-ID 1 Individual License Maintenance Form instead, which is for renewals, address changes, and reactivations.

Common mistake and consequence: Leaving the box unchecked because filers assume “the form itself is the choice.” The Board’s intake clerks code applications by the box that is checked, and an unchecked Section I returns the file to you as deficient.

Misconception: Some filers think this checkbox doubles as a request for the ARE candidate authorization. It does not. ARE candidacy goes through NCARB’s exam scheduling long before AR 1 is filed.

Section II — Applicant Information: Social Security Number

The form asks for your nine-digit SSN in the top-right corner of the Applicant Information block. Mandatory disclosure is grounded in 42 U.S.C. §§ 653 and 654 and Section 559.79(1), F.S., and the Board uses it to screen for child support arrears under Title IV-D.

How to answer it: Write nine digits with hyphens in the standard XXX-XX-XXXX format. Print clearly because a single misread digit triggers a SSA mismatch.

Example entry: Carlos Rivera writes 123-45-6789 in dark ink, capping the nines so they don’t read as fours.

Nuance or edge case: Foreign-educated applicants who do not yet have a U.S. SSN must obtain an ITIN through the IRS or apply for a SSN before filing; the Board will not waive the requirement.

Common mistake and consequence: Leaving the SSN blank for “privacy reasons.” The Department returns the application unprocessed under Section 559.79(1), F.S., and you lose your place in the queue.

Misconception: Some filers believe the SSN is shared publicly. It is not; it is exempt from public records disclosure under Section 119.071(5), F.S..

Section II — Full Legal Name

The form asks for Last/Surname, First, Middle, and Suffix as separate boxes. This is the name that will be engraved on your seal under Rule 61G1-16.001, F.A.C., so accuracy here echoes through your entire career.

How to answer it: Write your name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card. Use full middle names, not initials, unless your SSA record itself shows only an initial.

Example entry: Maria Elena Lopez-Garcia writes “Lopez-Garcia” in Last/Surname, “Maria” in First, “Elena” in Middle, and leaves Suffix blank.

Nuance or edge case: If your name carries a hyphen, an apostrophe, or a tilde, write it exactly that way; the Board’s database supports those characters and will reproduce them on your seal.

Common mistake and consequence: Using a preferred or shortened first name like “Liz” when SSA shows “Elizabeth.” The cross-check fails, the Board issues a deficiency letter, and you re-file with a corrected name page.

Misconception: That Florida will let you choose a “professional name” for your seal. It will not; the seal must match the licensed legal name on file.

Section II — Birth Date and Gender

The Birth Date field uses MM/DD/YYYY format, and the Gender block offers Male and Female checkboxes. Both fields feed the Board’s identity verification under Section 455.213, F.S..

How to answer it: Write your full four-digit birth year and use leading zeros for single-digit months or days. Check exactly one Gender box.

Example entry: Carlos Rivera enters 03/14/1985 and checks Male.

Nuance or edge case: Applicants whose government-issued ID reflects a non-binary marker should call the Customer Contact Center at 850-487-1395 before submitting; the form’s Gender boxes have not yet been updated to mirror Florida’s current ID options.

Common mistake and consequence: Writing the birth year as two digits (“85”) rather than four. Intake clerks default unclear two-digit entries to 1900-series years, which trips the SSA cross-check and stalls processing.

Misconception: That gender is optional. The form treats it as a required identity-verification field, not a demographic survey.

Section II — Mailing Address and Contact Information

The Mailing Address block asks for Street Address or P.O. Box, City, State, Zip Code, County (if Florida address), and Country. The Contact Information block asks for Primary Phone Number and Primary E-Mail Address, with optional alternates.

How to answer it: Use the address where you reliably receive mail for the next six months. Use a phone number you actually answer, because DBPR examiners often resolve small issues by phone in a single call.

Example entry: Janet Kowalski writes 4421 Coral Way, Apt 3B, Miami, FL, 33145, Miami-Dade, USA, with phone 305-555-0144 and email janet.k@example.com.

Nuance or edge case: P.O. boxes are accepted, but if you list one you should also list a physical address on a separate sheet so the Board can verify residency for Section 481.213, F.S. eligibility.

Common mistake and consequence: Listing a school address that will expire when your lease ends. The Board’s licensure mail goes undelivered, the printed wall certificate is destroyed by USPS after 30 days, and you pay a duplicate certificate fee under Rule 61G1-12.001, F.A.C..

Misconception: That an email is optional because the form labels phone as “Primary.” Without an email, the Board defaults to U.S. mail for every question, which can add weeks to your file.

Section II — Current/Prior License Information

This block has three numbered rows, each asking for License/Registration Type, State, Date (From), Date (To), License Number, and Name Used. It captures every business or professional license you have ever held, anywhere.

How to answer it: List every license, not only architecture licenses. Real estate, contractor, cosmetology, foreign engineering registrations — all of it. If you need more rows, photocopy the page and attach it.

Example entry: Carlos Rivera lists “Architect Intern, Georgia, 06/01/2018 to 12/31/2023, License No. ARI-12345, Name Used: Carlos Rivera.”

Nuance or edge case: NCARB Council Record numbers go in Section III, not here. This block is for state-issued licenses only.

Common mistake and consequence: Omitting a lapsed license thinking it “doesn’t count.” The Board considers omission a misrepresentation under Section 455.227(1)(h), F.S., and discovers it through NCARB anyway, which can trigger denial.

Misconception: That voluntarily surrendered licenses don’t need disclosure. They do; surrender is a disciplinary disposition reportable under Question 4.

Section II — Prior Name Information

This block asks “Have you used, been known as, or are currently known by another name … or alias other than the name signed to the application?” with Yes/No boxes and three rows for prior names.

How to answer it: Answer truthfully. List maiden names, prior married names, court-ordered name changes, and any name used on a prior license or transcript.

Example entry: Janet Kowalski (formerly Janet Marie Smith) checks Yes and writes “Smith, Janet, Marie” in row one.

Nuance or edge case: If your NAAB transcript or NCARB Record reflects a former name, list that name here so the Board’s clerks can match the documents.

Common mistake and consequence: Filers skip a maiden name because they have not used it in years. The Board’s background screen returns a “name not matched” flag, and the file is held until you submit an amended page.

Misconception: That nicknames don’t need to be listed. Any alias used on professional documents qualifies and should be disclosed.

Section III — NCARB Information

This section has two fields: “What date did you request NCARB transmit or post your council record to the Florida Board?” and “Provide your NCARB Council Number here.” Both are pulled from your NCARB dashboard.

How to answer it: Log in to NCARB, request transmittal to Florida, and write down the date in MM/DD/YYYY format. Then copy your six-digit Council Record number into the second field.

Example entry: Maria Lopez writes 04/12/2026 and Council Number 412987.

Nuance or edge case: NCARB transmits the Record electronically to Florida; you do not need to mail a paper copy. Allow 5 to 10 business days for the Record to land in DBPR’s queue.

Common mistake and consequence: Filing AR 1 before requesting NCARB transmittal. The Board cannot verify your education, AXP, or ARE results without the Record, and your application sits in a pending bin for the entire delay.

Misconception: That an “active” NCARB Record automatically transmits. It does not. You must affirmatively click “Transmit my Record” inside NCARB’s portal and pay NCARB’s transmittal fee.

Section IV — Background Question 1 (Criminal History)

Question 1 asks whether you have ever been convicted, found guilty, or entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to a crime, regardless of adjudication, in any jurisdiction, or are currently under criminal investigation. Parking, speeding, inspection, and signal violations are excluded.

How to answer it: Answer Yes or No honestly. If Yes, complete Section IV(b) and attach the arrest report, disposition or final order, and proof that all sanctions are satisfied for each occurrence.

Example entry: Carlos Rivera, who entered a no-contest plea to a misdemeanor DUI in 2014, checks Yes and attaches the certified disposition showing fines paid and probation completed.

Nuance or edge case: If you believe a record was sealed or expunged under Section 943.0585, F.S., verify the sealing through the FDLE before answering No, because federal databases sometimes still show the entry.

Common mistake and consequence: Answering No because adjudication was withheld. The Board treats withheld adjudication as reportable, and discovery during the FDLE check leads to denial under Section 455.227(1)(h), F.S..

Misconception: That out-of-state offenses are off-limits to Florida. They are not; the Board reaches every U.S. jurisdiction through NCRHS background checks.

Section IV — Background Question 2 (Civil Judgments)

Question 2 asks whether any judgment or decree has ever been entered against you related to the practice or profession of architecture, anywhere, or whether such a case is pending.

How to answer it: Answer Yes or No. If Yes, complete Section IV(c) and provide a copy of the judgment or decree plus proof that sanctions are satisfied.

Example entry: Janet Kowalski, who lost a 2019 small-claims case alleging unlicensed design work in another state, checks Yes and attaches the certified judgment plus the satisfaction-of-judgment filing.

Nuance or edge case: Default judgments still count. A default for failure to appear is a “judgment entered against you” within the meaning of the question.

Common mistake and consequence: Skipping a vacated judgment. Even vacated cases must be disclosed; the Board wants to see the order of vacatur, not silence.

Misconception: That family-law judgments are reportable. They are not, unless they touch the practice of architecture.

Section IV — Background Question 3 (Prior Denials)

Question 3 asks whether you have ever had an application for registration, certification, or licensure denied in Florida or any other jurisdiction, or whether any denial proceeding is pending.

How to answer it: Answer Yes or No. If Yes, complete Section IV(c) and supply documentation explaining the denial or pending action.

Example entry: Maria Lopez, who was denied a 2021 Texas architect license for missing AXP hours, checks Yes and attaches the TBAE denial letter and her later AXP completion record.

Nuance or edge case: An application you withdrew before formal denial is not a “denial,” but the Board will still want a brief written explanation if NCARB shows the withdrawal.

Common mistake and consequence: Treating a “deficient — please refile” letter as a denial. It usually is not; check the letter language carefully against Section 120.60(3), F.S. before answering Yes.

Misconception: That denials older than seven years drop off. They do not; the question reaches your entire licensing history.

Section IV — Background Question 4 (Prior Discipline)

Question 4 asks whether any license, registration, or permit has ever been revoked, annulled, suspended, relinquished, surrendered, or otherwise disciplined in Florida or any other jurisdiction, or whether any such proceeding is pending.

How to answer it: Answer Yes or No. If Yes, complete Section IV(c) and attach copies of the disciplinary order or current pleadings.

Example entry: Carlos Rivera, whose Georgia architect-intern registration lapsed under a stipulated reprimand for late CE in 2022, checks Yes and attaches the consent order.

Nuance or edge case: A non-renewal that triggered a disciplinary fine is reportable; a clean non-renewal usually is not.

Common mistake and consequence: Failing to disclose a citation paid years ago. The Board treats unpaid disclosure of a closed citation as a misrepresentation, which is its own ground for denial under Section 455.227(1)(a), F.S..

Misconception: That a “letter of guidance” is discipline. In most jurisdictions it is not; check the issuing board’s rules before answering Yes.

Section V — Affirmation by Written Declaration

The final section is the Affirmation by Written Declaration, which contains a sworn statement that the application is true, an acknowledgment of perjury penalties under Section 837.06, F.S., and three signature fields: Signature, Date, Print Name.

How to answer it: Read the entire paragraph before signing. Sign in the same legal name you used in Section II, date the signature in MM/DD/YYYY format, and print your name beneath.

Example entry: Maria Lopez signs “Maria Elena Lopez-Garcia,” dates 04/20/2026, and prints “MARIA ELENA LOPEZ-GARCIA.”

Nuance or edge case: Electronic signatures are accepted on the online portal version, but paper filers must sign in wet ink. A scanned or stamped signature on the paper form is treated as unsigned.

Common mistake and consequence: Signing a nickname like “Liz” while the printed name reads “Elizabeth.” The Board treats the mismatch as an unsigned application and returns it.

Misconception: That a notary is required. The form is a written declaration under Section 92.525, F.S., and notarization is not required.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Each scenario below follows one named filer through the entire AR 1 from cover sheet to mailbox, including the specific entries each person makes. The fact patterns reflect the three most common AR 1 filer profiles tracked in the Board’s licensing data.

Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Recent NAAB Graduate

Maria graduated from the University of Florida M.Arch program in 2024, finished AXP in 2025, and passed the final ARE division in March 2026. She has no criminal history, no prior licenses, and no name changes.

Form Section	What Maria Enters
Section I — Application Type	Checks Licensure by Examination [0201/1031]
Section II — SSN	123-45-6789
Section II — Full Legal Name	Lopez-Garcia / Maria / Elena / (blank)
Section II — Birth Date and Gender	03/14/1996, Female
Section II — Mailing Address	1200 SW 6th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601, Alachua, USA
Section II — Prior License	Leaves all three rows blank
Section II — Prior Names	Checks No
Section III — NCARB Info	Date 04/12/2026, Council No. 412987
Section IV — Questions 1–4	Checks No on all four
Section V — Signature	Maria Elena Lopez-Garcia, 04/20/2026

Scenario 2: Carlos Rivera, Out-of-State Architect Intern

Carlos is a Georgia-licensed architect intern who finished AXP and passed all ARE divisions while working at an Atlanta firm. He has one 2014 misdemeanor DUI and a 2022 stipulated reprimand from the Georgia Board.

Form Section	What Carlos Enters
Section I — Application Type	Checks Licensure by Examination [0201/1031]
Section II — SSN	234-56-7890
Section II — Full Legal Name	Rivera / Carlos / Antonio / (blank)
Section II — Mailing Address	815 Peachtree St NE, Apt 412, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA
Section II — Prior License	Architect Intern, GA, 06/01/2018–12/31/2023, ARI-12345
Section III — NCARB Info	Date 04/02/2026, Council No. 387221
Section IV — Question 1	Checks Yes; attaches DUI disposition in Section IV(b)
Section IV — Question 4	Checks Yes; attaches Georgia consent order in Section IV(c)
Section V — Signature	Carlos Antonio Rivera, 04/15/2026

Scenario 3: Janet Kowalski, Foreign-Educated Career Changer

Janet earned an architecture degree in Poland, obtained an NCARB EESA evaluation declaring NAAB-equivalence, finished AXP, and passed the ARE. She changed her surname after marriage in 2010.

Form Section	What Janet Enters
Section I — Application Type	Checks Licensure by Examination [0201/1031]
Section II — SSN	345-67-8901
Section II — Full Legal Name	Kowalski / Janet / Marie / (blank)
Section II — Mailing Address	4421 Coral Way, Apt 3B, Miami, FL 33145, Miami-Dade, USA
Section II — Prior License	Leaves all three rows blank
Section II — Prior Names	Checks Yes; lists Smith, Janet, Marie
Section III — NCARB Info	Date 04/05/2026, Council No. 401556
Section IV — Questions 1–4	Checks No on all four
Section V — Signature	Janet Marie Kowalski, 04/18/2026

How to File the Completed Form

You have two channels for submitting AR 1, and each has its own process, fee handling, and proof of filing. Pick the channel that best matches your documents and your urgency, because once you commit to a channel you cannot easily migrate mid-review.

Mail filing. Send the completed application, all attachments, and a check or money order for $35 payable to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to: Department of Business and Professional Regulation, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. The Board accepts personal checks, business checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders, but does not accept cash through the mail. Standard processing runs 30 to 60 days after a complete file is received. Use USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt or a tracked private carrier so you have a delivery date stamped by a third party; that stamp is your proof of filing for any later Section 120.60, F.S. timing dispute.

Online filing. Apply through the DBPR Online Services portal, which accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and ACH e-checks. Online filings move faster — usually 15 to 30 days for a clean file — because the system flags missing fields before submission. Save the system-generated confirmation email and transaction ID; that email is your proof of filing.

In-person and fax filing. Walk-in submission at the Tallahassee headquarters is allowed but not recommended, because intake clerks date-stamp paper without screening it for completeness. Faxed applications are not accepted; the Board requires either a wet-ink original by mail or a portal e-signature.

Whichever channel you use, keep a complete photocopy or PDF of everything you submitted, including the front and back of any check. The Board does not return originals, and reconstructing a file from memory after a deficiency letter is painful.

What Happens After You File

Once your AR 1 is logged into the DBPR system, an examiner reviews the file for completeness within roughly 30 days under the Section 120.60(1), F.S. timeline. If anything is missing — a signature, an attachment, the NCARB Record — you receive a written deficiency notice that pauses the 90-day agency-action clock until you cure the gap.

If your file is clean and your background check returns clear, the examiner forwards the application to the Board’s licensure committee for routine approval at the next Board meeting. The Board’s quarterly meetings are public, and approvals of clean files happen on a consent calendar without any need for you to appear.

If your file includes a “yes” on any background question, the case is calendared for individual review. You may be invited to appear in person or by video to answer questions about the underlying matter, and your case may be continued one cycle if the Board needs additional documentation. The eventual order — approval, conditional approval, or denial — issues under Chapter 120, F.S. and is appealable.

After approval, your wall certificate and license number arrive by mail within two to four weeks, and your name appears on the DBPR license search immediately. You then need a seal compliant with Rule 61G1-16.001, F.A.C. before sealing any drawings.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

These are the recurring errors that send AR 1 applications back to the filer or, worse, to the Board’s denial calendar.

Using an outdated form revision. Older revisions get rejected at intake and you start over.
Skipping the SSN field for “privacy.” The Department returns the form unprocessed under Section 559.79(1), F.S..
Writing a nickname in the Full Legal Name block. SSA cross-check fails and your file stalls.
Listing a two-digit birth year. Intake misreads the year and the SSA match breaks.
Forgetting to request NCARB transmittal before mailing AR 1. The Board cannot verify Education, AXP, or ARE without the Record.
Omitting a maiden or prior name. The background check flags a name mismatch and the file is held.
Answering “No” to Question 1 because adjudication was withheld. The Board treats withheld adjudication as reportable.
Failing to attach certified dispositions. A bare “yes” with no paperwork is treated as an incomplete answer.
Sending cash by mail. Cash is not accepted and the file is returned.
Signing in a name that doesn’t match the printed name. The application is treated as unsigned.
Missing the wet-ink signature on the paper form. Stamped or scanned signatures are not accepted.
Skipping prior license history because a license expired. Omission is treated as misrepresentation under Section 455.227(1)(h), F.S..

Do’s and Don’ts

These quick rules save you weeks of back-and-forth with the Board.

Do download a fresh PDF copy of Form DBPR AR 1 for every application, because the September 2023 revision is current and prior versions are rejected.
Do request your NCARB Council Record transmittal before mailing AR 1, because the Board cannot verify your eligibility without it.
Do use Certified Mail with Return Receipt, because the green card is your only proof of timely filing.
Do keep a full PDF copy of the signed application for your own files, because originals are never returned.
Do call the Customer Contact Center at 850-487-1395 if a field is unclear, because intake clerks will answer specific field questions for free.
Do disclose every prior license, name, and background event, because omissions are independent grounds for denial.
Don’t check more than one Section I box, because the form is single-purpose and any second mark invalidates the choice.
Don’t mail cash, because cash payments are not accepted and the file is returned.
Don’t list a campus address you’ll lose in three months, because the wall certificate may be destroyed by USPS.
Don’t sign with a stamp or scanned signature, because wet ink is required for paper filings.
Don’t answer “No” to a background question without verifying the underlying record, because the FDLE and FBI databases reach further than most filers expect.
Don’t mail before the $35 fee check is signed and dated, because an unsigned check is treated as no fee at all.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Most AR 1 filers can complete the form alone, but some files benefit from a licensure consultant or an attorney experienced with DBPR proceedings.

Pros of filing on your own.

The $35 application fee is the only out-of-pocket cost, far cheaper than legal help.
Most files involve no background issues and need no legal interpretation.
Direct contact with the Customer Contact Center resolves most fact questions in one call.
You learn the Florida regulatory landscape that will govern your career.
Online filing through the DBPR portal is wizard-driven and forgiving.

Cons of filing on your own.

Background-question issues are easy to misread without legal training.
A misanswered question can convert a routine file into a denial.
A denial creates its own future-disclosure obligation under Question 3 of every later application.
Self-filers sometimes miss the NCARB transmittal step and lose months.
Without help, foreign-educated filers can struggle with the EESA equivalence pathway.

FAQs

Is the form called ARCH-1 or AR 1? No. The official Board title is “DBPR AR 1.” “ARCH-1” is a common search term and an unofficial nickname; the printed PDF carries the AR 1 designation.

Do I need to file AR 1 before passing the ARE? No. AR 1 is the post-exam licensure application; you must finish all ARE divisions and AXP before filing.

Can I write my preferred first name in the Full Legal Name block? No. That box must reflect the legal name on your Social Security card so the SSA cross-check passes.

Do I list my NCARB number in the Prior License section? No. The NCARB Council Record number belongs only in Section III; the Prior License block captures state-issued licenses.

Should I check a Section I box if I’m reactivating my Florida license? No. Reactivation uses DBPR AR-ID 1, not AR 1; do not check the Licensure by Examination box.

Is the $35 fee refundable if I withdraw? No. The application fee is non-refundable under Rule 61G1-12.001, F.A.C., even if you withdraw before review.

Do I need to disclose a sealed juvenile record on Question 1? No. Records sealed under Section 943.0585, F.S. need not be disclosed, but verify the sealing first.

Can I submit AR 1 by fax? No. The Board only accepts mail and online portal filings.

Is notarization required on Section V? No. Section V is a written declaration under Section 92.525, F.S., not a notarized oath.

Can my employer sign Section V on my behalf? No. The applicant must personally sign; a delegated signature voids the application.

Will the Board verify my AXP hours independently? Yes. AXP verification flows from your transmitted NCARB Council Record, not from documents you attach to AR 1.

Do I need a Florida address to apply? No. Out-of-state applicants are licensed every cycle; your mailing address can be in any U.S. state or abroad.

Does a withheld-adjudication plea count as a “yes” on Question 1? Yes. The Board treats withheld adjudication as reportable, regardless of whether you were technically convicted.

Is the September 2023 revision still current in 2026? Yes. The September 2023 revision remains the current effective form under Rule 61-35.002, F.A.C..

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