225 ILCS 305/11

(a) Applications for original licenses shall be made to the Department in writing on forms or electronically as prescribed by the Department and shall be accompanied by the required fee, which is not refundable. All applications shall contain information that, in the judgment of the Department, will enable the Department to pass on the qualifications of the applicant for a license as an architect. The Department may require an applicant, at the applicant's expense, to have an evaluation of the applicant's education in a foreign country by an evaluation service approved by the Department in accordance with rules prescribed by the Department. (b) Applicants have 3 years from the date of application to complete the application process. If the process has not been completed in 3 years, the application shall be denied, the fee shall be forfeited, and the applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.