FAQs
The Certification Handbook is the go-to resource for answers to all your certification questions. Below are a few FAQs that may be addressed in further detail in the handbook.
A. Yes! Beginning in 2026, Candidacy is required for all individuals including those who qualify and those who do not yet qualify to take the exam but want to keep appraised of the College's activities throughout the year.
A. Log in to your existing account or create an account with Certemy. Complete all the steps of the online application by April 1 in order to be eligible to sit for the exam in June and/or submit a portfolio for review.
A. Log in to your existing account or create an account. You may simultaneously complete both the Exam Application workflow and the ACHA Certification workflow (a.k.a. portfolio submission) in Certemy. You will upload portfolio components to the portal at anytime during the year, however, they will be reviewed upon completion of all steps. The Review Committee will review portfolios quarterly. You will receive an email notification when and if your portfolio is approved.
Architects providing “non-traditional” consulting services (i.e. Healthcare Planning, Programming, Facilities Based Services, Construction Management, Agency Review etc.) should modify the portfolio’s pertinent project facts to best demonstrate their respective roles in their areas of specialty. Non-traditional practitioners are encouraged to apply.
A. You need to start the application process but can submit the portfolio or take the exam in any order. If you apply for the examination by April 1 and, if approved, you can sit for the exam in the upcoming exam window (June 1-30). If you pass the exam, you will need to submit your portfolio, have it reviewed and approved before you are accepted into the College as “certified” (an ACHA Certificant).
A. You may become a Candidate at any time during the year. However, if you meet the College’s eligibility requirements to sit for the exam, your application must be submitted online no later than April 1 in order to take the exam during the annual, June testing window.
A. A fee of $400 must be submitted with your application and will be applied as follows:
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Application fee - $150 of the $400 is applied to the Application Fee, which is non-refundable.
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Examination fee - $250 of the $400 is applied to the Examination Fee*.
*If an application is not deemed complete and cannot be accepted, or is withdrawn, the $250 Examination Fee will be refunded.
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A. Yes. If you did not pass the examination in a previous attempt, accept the Re-Examination workflow you have been assigned in Certemy and complete it by May 1.
A. Once you complete the initial application and are approved you become eligible to sit for the exam. 3 weeks after the deadline of April 1, you will receive an email directly from PSI allowing you to schedule your exam. PSI offers over 120 locations throughout the United States and Canada, to find an assessment center in your area, visit the PSI website at https://www.psionline.com/.
A. Candidates are allotted 2.5 hours to take the examination.
A. Yes, the annual dues are:
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Board Certified (ACHA) – $550
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Board Certified Fellow (FACHA) – $650
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Candidates – $25.
There are no annual dues for those who are retired and approved as Emeritus Status.
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