F1419.indd

Packet Udated 8/30/23

DPR-486-1419 -- Instructions Revised 6/23

Accepted Types of Business Organizations

 Corporation, Professional Service Corporation,

General Partnership, Limited Liability Partnership,

Limited Partnership

 Professional Limited Liability Company

 Sole Proprietorship/D.B.A.

Professional Services Oﬀ ered by the Firm

 Architecture

 Land Surveying

 Professional Engineering

 Structural Engineering

APPLICATION FOR:

PROFESSIONAL DESIGN FIRM

DO NOT COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION IF:

Your ﬁ rm is currently (or was previously) registered as a Professional Design ﬁ rm with the Department and you

need to make a change to your registration. Contact the Department at [email protected] for instructions on

how to proceed with your speciﬁ c situation.

Read this before applying.

Any organization practicing or oﬀ ering to practice one or any combination of the above mentioned professions in Illinois

must apply to the Department for registration as a Professional Design Firm. Failure in doing so is a violation of

Illinois law and subject to disciplinary action and/or ﬁ nes.

Sole Proprietorships: Registration is not required for a licensed sole proprietor who oﬀ ers or provides design services

in his or her individual name and is not employing other individuals to perform work for which professional licensure

is required. However, any sole proprietorship conducting business as a design professional under an assumed name

is required to register as a professional design ﬁ rm. Any sole proprietorship not owned by an Illinois licensed design

professional is prohibited from oﬀ ering professional services to the public.

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Illinois Secretary of State Requirement:

Prior to applying with the Department, the authority to transact business in Illinois must be obtained from the Illinois

Secretary of State (IL SOS) https://www.ilsos.gov. (IL SOS registration is not required for a sole proprietor).

The IL SOS requires that all businesses organized as an Limited Liability Company (LLC) and who plan to provide

professional services which are regulated/licensed by this Department, must register as a Professional Limited

Liability Company (PLLC) with the IL SOS or have an assumed name listed as a PLLC. As such, an LLC is not

accepted for registration as a Professional Design Firm with this Department.

The “purposes” section of your IL SOS application must include the speciﬁ c profession(s) for which the design ﬁ rm is

seeking registration. The engineering profession must be speciﬁ ed as either Professional Engineering or Structural

Engineering; unless you plan to oﬀ er both, then you would list each as shown below.

Sample Purpose Clauses:

To practice Architecture, pursuant to the Illinois Architecture Practice Act.

To practice Land Surveying, pursuant to the Illinois Land Surveying Practice Act.

To practice Professional Engineering, pursuant to the Illinois Professional Engineering Practice Act.

To practice Structural Engineering, pursuant to the Illinois Structural Engineering Practice Act.

Professional Design Firm Application Instructions - Page 1

Professional Design Firm Application Instructions - Page 2

Special Requirement for the practice of Architecture:

Two-thirds of the individuals who make up the business organization’s Board of Directors/Members/Partners must be

licensed in any of the four applicable design professions (in Illinois or any U.S. State/territory), with one being licensed in

Illinois as an architect.

Managing Agent Requirement:

The organization, through oﬃ cial Board Resolution of the organization’s Board of Directors/Members/Partners, must

appoint a Managing Agent who is licensed in Illinois for the profession(s) in which the organization plans to oﬀ er and who

will be in Responsible Control for the respective profession(s) in Illinois.

The managing agent must be a full-time employee of the business organization. For the profession of architecture,

the named Managing Agent must also be a director, member, or partner of the business organization. A Firm may

appoint more than one managing agent for a profession if desired.

An individual can only be named Managing Agent of a profession for one ﬁ rm at a given time.

A PDF-BR Board Resolution form must be submitted for each Managing Agent that is being appointed.

If the ﬁ rm’s practice includes architecture, the licensee designated as the managing agent for architecture must be a

member of the board of directors, full partner, or member of PLLC or LLP.

The engineering profession must be speciﬁ ed as either Professional Engineering or Structural Engineering.

Professional Design Firm Application Instructions - Page 3

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Step I - Complete the two-page application using the below:

To start, select the profession(s) for which the design ﬁ rm is seeking registration.

Part I - Firm Identiﬁ cation Information

Section A. Select the applicable type of business organization.

Section B. Complete ﬁ elds 1-6.



A valid Business Email Address is required.

Sole proprietors - the Professional Design Firm name is the Assumed Name ﬁ led with the County Clerk.

The Firm must list all Assumed Names to be used in Illinois. Skip if not applicable.

Section C. Complete this section if you plan to oﬀ er architectural or land surveying services from one or more

Illinois oﬃ ces. Skip this section if you have no Illinois oﬃ ce.

Part II: Director/Partner/Member Information

List the name of each Director/Partner/Member of the business organization and if applicable, the type of

professional license, state of licensure (i.e. Illinois) and license number for each individual.

Part III: Managing Agent Certiﬁ cation

Complete this for each Managing Agent to be named.

Part IV: Business Organization Certiﬁ cation

An authorized individual of the business must sign and date the application for it to be accepted.

Step II - APPLICATION FEE

The NON-REFUNDABLE fee of $75 (check or money order) in U.S. currency made payable to IDFPR.

Step III - COMPLETE THE APPLICATION CHECKLIST AND THE PDF-BR FORM

All applicants must complete the checklist and PDF-BR form then return with the application in order to process the

application.

Step IV - MAIL APPLICATION PACKET

Mail the application, fee, application checklist and applicable supporting documents to the address below.

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Attn: Division of Professional Regulation

P.O. Box 7007

Springﬁ eld, Illinois 62791

Step V - QUESTIONS



Before contacting the Department; please review our FAQ’s (http://www.idfpr.illinois.gov/About/FAQ.html) for answers

to most questions. If not addressed in our FAQ’s, please contact the Department at 800.560.6420 or email us at

[email protected]

Please allow four business weeks from applying before making an inquiry concerning its status.

Professional Design Firm Application Instructions - Page 4

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ONCE REGISTERED

 The registration will expire on April 30 of each odd numbered year regardless of when it is issued.

 It is a violation to solicit or provide professional services if the ﬁ rm is not authorized by this Department to oﬀ er said

services.

 All technical submissions prepared by the Professional Design Firm shall contain the design ﬁ rm registration number

issued by the Department.

 The registration will become INOPERABLE for ALL professions if the license of any Managing Agent becomes inactive or

not-renewed and the Firm is prohibited from perform any professional services until a replacement is named.

 By law, in the event the managing agent status changes, the Firm must notify the Department within 10 business days

and shall notify the Department within 30 days of the name and license number of the newly designated managing agent

by submitting a Resolution of the board/members/partners and the seal and signature of the new managing agent.

To notify the Department that a change is taking place or to submit the change of managing agent form, please email:

[email protected]

APPLICANT NAME: _________________________________

All applicants must complete this checklist and return with the completed application. Check only what applies to you.

ALL APPLICANTS TO REVIEW AND CHECK:



A completed application.

 An application fee of $75 by check or money order (payable to IDFPR) in U.S. currency.

 A PDF-BR Board Resolution form for each managing agent being named.

CORPORATION, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CORP., PLLC, LLP, LTD. PARTNERSHIP:



A copy of the approved “FILED” Articles of Incorporation, Certiﬁ cate of Authority, Articles of Organization/Operating

Agreement, or Ltd. Partnership Agreement submitted to the IL SOS for authority to transact business in Illinois.

 A copy of a current Certiﬁ cate of Good Standing issued by the IL SOS.

(Not required if ﬁ rst registered within the last year with the IL SOS.)

 If applicable, submit a “FILED” copy of the application with the IL SOS to adopt an Assumed Name.

GENERAL PARTNERSHIP:



A copy of the signed and dated Partnership Agreement.

 A copy of the approved documentation from the County Clerk where the partnership has been ﬁ led.

SOLE PROPRIETOR:



A copy of the a letter from the County Clerk where the Assumed Name has been ﬁ led.

_________________________________________________ __________________

Signature of Firm Representative Date

IL486-1419 Complete Page Two of the Application

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Completion of this form is necessary to accomplish the requirements outlined in 225 ILCS 305, 325, 330, and 340 (Illinois Compiled

Statutes). Disclosure of this information is REQUIRED. Failure to provide this information could result in a penalty as outlined in said ACT. Carefully follow

all steps outlined in the application instructions. Type or print legibly.

PROFESSIONAL DESIGN FIRM

REGISTRATION APPLICATION

PROFESSION CODE: 184 APPLICATION FEE: $75 PROFESSIONS YOUR FIRM OFFERS: (check all the apply)

Architecture Land Surveying Professional Engineering Structural Engineering

PART I - Firm Identiﬁ cation Information

A. CHECK THE CORRESPONDING BOX INDICATING THE APPROPRIATE TYPE OF BUSINESS YOUR FIRM HAS. (Check only one.)

Corporation Sole Proprietorship/D.B.A. Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC)

General Partnership Professional Service Corporation

Limited Partnership Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

B. NAME OF BUSINESS AND PRINCIPAL ADDRESS

3. PRINCIPAL OFFICE ADDRESS

(STREET) (CITY) (STATE/PROVINCE) (POSTAL CODE)

1. NAME OF BUSINESS

2. FEIN NUMBER OR SSN OF OWNER IF SOLE PROPRIETOR

5. BUSINESS TELEPHONE NUMBER

xxx-xxx-xxxx

4. BUSINESS E-MAIL ADDRESS (REQUIRED) 6. DATE OF FORMATION/INCORPORATION

xx-xx-xxxx

Will this location oﬀ er or

provide land surveying

services in Illinois?

Yes

No

If Yes, provide name and Illinois license

number of the Resident Architect, a full

time employee at this location:

Name: __________________________

Lic. #: __________________________

Will this location oﬀ er

or provide architectural

services in Illinois?

Yes

No

If Yes, provide name and Illinois license

number of the Resident Land Surveyor,

a full time employee at this location:

Name: __________________________

Lic. #: __________________________

If Yes, provide name and Illinois license

number of the Resident Architect, a full

time employee at this location:

Name: __________________________

Lic. #: __________________________

Will this location oﬀ er

or provide architectural

services in Illinois?

Yes

No

Will this location oﬀ er or

provide land surveying

services in Illinois?

Yes

No

If Yes, provide name and Illinois license

number of the Resident Land Surveyor,

a full time employee at this location:

Name: __________________________

Lic. #: __________________________

1. ADDRESS: 2. ADDRESS:

C. ADDRESS OF EACH OFFICE IN ILLINOIS AT WHICH PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED. (Skip if no Illinois Oﬃ ce)

ASSUMED NAME(S) OF BUSINESS - BEING USED IN ILLINOIS:

DEPARTMENT USE ONLY

Disclosure of your U.S. social security number, if you have one, is mandatory, in accordance with 5 Illinois Compiled Statutes 100/10-65 to obtain a license.

The social security number may be provided to the Illinois Department of Public Aid to identify persons who are more than 30 days delinquent in complying

with a child support order, or to the Illinois Department of Revenue to identify persons who have failed to ﬁ le a tax return, pay tax, penalty or interest shown

in a ﬁ led return, or to pay any ﬁ nal assessment or tax penalty or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, or

to other entities for veriﬁ cation of identiﬁ cation.

Professional Design Firm Registration Application (Continued)

Each managing agent designated in an attached Board resolution, must complete a segment below. If a managing agent licensed in

more than one profession is designated as having more than one profession in her/his charge, then the licensee should complete a

section for each designated profession. (If more space is needed, you may photocopy this side for additional space; please reﬂ ect the

ﬁ rm name on additional sheets.)

1. NAME 2. ADDRESS 3. ILLINOIS LICENSE NUMBER

DateSignature of Managing Agent

Date

Signature of Managing Agent

I hereby certify: that I have accepted the designation as managing agent for the profession and license reﬂ ected.

IL486-1419

Name of Firm: _______________________________________ FEIN or SS#: _________________ Profession Name: Professional Design Firm

A. I am designated as the managing agent in charge of the profession marked below:

Architecture Land Surveying Professional Engineering Structural Engineering

A. I am designated as the managing agent in charge of the profession marked below:

Architecture Land Surveying Professional Engineering Structural Engineering

NAME AND ADDRESS

PART II - DIRECTOR / PARTNER / MEMBER INFORMATION

For ALL Directors / Partners / Members, please list their names, address, and if applicable, professional licensure information.

Attach a separate sheet if additional space is required.

TYPE OF LICENSE(S)

LICENSE NUMBER(S)

STATE(S) ISSUING

LICENSURE

PART III - MANAGING AGENT CERTIFICATION

PART IV - BUSINESS ORGANIZATION CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify: that I completed and/or reviewed this application, and the answers appearing herein are true and correct to the best of

my knowledge and belief, and that I am legally authorized to sign for this ﬁ rm.

My signature above authorizes the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to reduce the amount of this check if the

amount submitted is not correct. I understand this will be done only if the amount submitted is greater than the required fee hereunder,

but in no event shall such reduction be made in an amount greater than $50.

Date

Signature of Firm Representative

• Illinois law requires that a managing agent be named for each profession that a Professional Design Firm (PDF) registration

plans to offer in Illinois. The managing agent is the individual who acts in responsible charge for the specified profession.

• A PDF may name multiple licensees for the same profession but at least one must be named.

• Use of this form is required when appointing a new managing agent for your PDF.

• Parts I, II, and III of this form must be completed for it to be accepted.

• Please use a separate form if appointing multiple managing agents.

• For the practice of Architecture, the named managing agent must be a member of the Board of Directors/Members/Partners and

must be listed as such in Part III of the form below.

• Questions regarding this form may be direct to FPR.DesignUnit@Illinois.gov

PART I – PROFESSIONAL DESIGN FIRM INFORMATION

NAME OF PROFESSIONAL DESIGN FIRM

IL. PROFESSIONAL DESIGN FIRM NUMBER

(if currently registered)

IDFPR STAMP USE ONLY

BUSINESS EMAIL ADDRESS

FEIN NUMBER (or SSN for sole proprietor)

PROFESSIONAL DESIGN FIRM

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD

FORM

SUPPORTING DOCUMENT

PDF-BR

PART II – OFFICIAL RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD

The _________________________________ of ____________________________________________,

(Directors/Members/Partners) (Firm Name)

designate ______________________________________________________ who is licensed in Illinois as a/an

(Name of licensee)

___________________________________________________________ under _______________________,

(Architect/Land Surveyor/Professional Engineer/Structural Engineer) (Illinois license number)

and a full-time employee of the above named firm, as the managing agent in charge of all the activities in Illinois for the

___________________________________________________________ profession.

(Architect/Land Surveyor/Professional Engineer/Structural Engineer)

PART III – CERTIFICATION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS/MEMBERS/PARTNERS

Illinois law requires that each member of the PDF’s Board or a designated appointee certify the managing agent resolution.

You may include a separate sheet if additional names are necessary.

I/We hereby certify the information reported herein is true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge and will comply with requests

for further information from the department if needed.

NAME

TITLE

SIGNATURE

DATE

NAME

TITLE

SIGNATURE

DATE

NAME

TITLE

SIGNATURE

DATE

NAME

TITLE

SIGNATURE

DATE

NAME

TITLE

SIGNATURE

DATE

IL486-2484 10/22