Most states have adopted a common process for architectural licensure:

The first item is education, you need an accredited degree from a NAAB (National Architectural Accrediting Board) approved program. This degree is either a Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture or Doctor of Architecture degree. If a degree is called anything else, it isn't an accredited degree. Generally going the Bachelor's route is a 5 year program and a Master of Architecture takes 2-3.5 years depending on your undergraduate education.

Then, there is the internship, and yes, interns are paid. The internship is a process that takes a minimum of 3 years during which the intern completes the Intern Development Program through NCARB. The IDP requires experience in all of the common aspects of the job of a licensed architect including design, construction documents, construction administration, management and professional/community service. Many interns take longer than 3 years to complete their internship.

The last requirement for licensure is the completion of a series of exams. The Architectural Registration Exam is a series of 7 tests over approximately 34 hours. The exams cost $1470, the exams can be taken at your own pace and the pass rate for each section is about 70%. After completion of the ARE, some states have their own additional exam. In most states you can only takes the ARE after completion of the IDP, but some states now allow you to take the ARE prior to completion of the IDP.

Upon completion of the accredited degree, IDP and ARE the candidate is eligible for licensure. The application is made to your state and generally takes several additional weeks. At the end of the process, you are a licensed architect in that state and eligible to apply for reciprocal licenses in other states.

In additional to this primary route, there are several states that will allow additional experience to substitute for the NAAB degree.  Colorado is one of theose states. States have different rules for reciprocal licenses from other states and foreign architects.

In total, the process generally takes a minimum of 8 years but most candidates take longer than the minimum. Among my peers, it is probably closer to a 10-12 process.

Originally posted 2009-08-30 17:45:22.

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1. State of Colorado Architect Registration – Education and Experience Criteria
2. NCARB Certificate and Architects, What Does it Mean
3. Colorado Architect Licensure Rule Changes

On January 1^st, 2010, NCARB implemented the IDP 2.0-Phase 2, which converted the experience requirements from units to hours, changed the definition of ‘Direct Supervision’, and restructured the required Training Categories.

The current category ‘Design and Construction Documents’ has been redefined into Category 1: ‘Pre-Design’ and Category 2: ‘Design’.  The Pre-Design category includes Programming and Site & Building Analysis, where the Design category includes Schematic Design, Engineering Systems, Construction Cost, Codes & Regulations, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Material Selection & Specification.  Note that the new Construction Documents sub-category now includes Document Checking & Coordination as well.  Category 3 is now ‘Project Management’ which includes Bidding Contract Negotiation, Construction Administration, Construction Phase: Observation, and General Project Operation.  Category 4, ‘Practice Management’ now includes Business Operations, and Leadership and Service.

Phase 3 of IDP 2.0 will take into effect January 1^st, 2011.  The highlights of Phase 3 will be the condensing of the current seven work settings into three experience settings, and the replacement of the core competencies with a variety of tasks that interns must be able to perform prior to licensure.

In order to simplify the acceptable IDP experience settings, Phase 3 condensed them into (A): Architectural Practice; (O): Other Work Settings; and (S): Supplemental Experience.   These settings encompass all of the current acceptable work settings (A through FF).  For example, the current work setting A, (Direct supervision of an architect while working at a firm) would still be considered experience setting A (Architectural Practice).  Experience earned under the current work setting D, (Direct supervision of a licensed engineer) would continue to be acceptable experience under O (Other Work Settings).

Related posts:

1. NCARB Intern Development Program 2.0-Phase 2 Coming Soon
2. NCARB Article on Necessity of an Architect During Construction
3. Education and Training Required to Become a Licensed Architect

Last July, Phase 1 of IDP 2.0 went into effect, allowing interns the opportunity to gain training units and supplementary education credit while being unemployed.  Phase 2 will go into effect January 1^st, 2010.  The intent of Phase 2 will be to align the process more with current architecture practice, and to simplify the training unit reporting process.

The current IDP version requires interns to earn 700 training units in each of the training categories, where each individual unit equals eight hours of work experience.  Phase 2 will simply convert the experience requirement from 700 units to 5,600 hours.  While the number remains the same, this will make the reporting process easier and more accurate.  The online reporting system, e-EVR, will automatically convert previously entered units into training hours.

Another change that Phase 2 will make is to the Definition of ‘Direct Supervision’, which will now be described as either personal contact or remote communication, (e-mail, online markups, webinars, internet, etc).  This change allows the intern to gain experience more easily, and with more learning-environment options.  This also allows for interns to gain experience whether they are permanently employed by a firm, or a contract employee or independent contractor.

There will also be some changes to the Emerging Professional’s Companion (EPC) which allows a maximum of 225 training units (1,800 training hours) to be earned.  Activities can count for up to five minimum core training units for interns employed in a recognized work setting.  On January 1^st, 2010, interns, whether employed or not, may earn minimum training hours by having their activities signed off by their mentor.

Related posts:

1. NCARB Article on Necessity of an Architect During Construction
2. Education and Training Required to Become a Licensed Architect