Arch Stories

Do you wish to become an architect?  One of the best resources to help you is to connect with those who are architects.  But that may be difficult if you do not know any.  Well, I want to share a resource that should help you.

Arch Stories - http://archstories.com - a compilation of stories from architects about their licensure story.

Authored by Katherine Williams (architect and writer sharing stories of great design, community improvement and diversity in the architecture industry), Arch Stories provides you insight on the licensure process.  It provides you a connection to architects who have successfully completed the task of becoming architect.

From the blog:

For many architects, the Architect Registration Exam (ARE) become a dreaded obstacle that one must conquer. Many of us have searing memories about the experience – the late nights studying, the attempts and multiple practice graphic vignettes, the panic of forgotten formulas moments before entering a testing room. Most of us who attempt the exam eventually succeed at passing and live to tell about it.

Do check it out!

Dr. Architecture

p.s. If you are an architect, consider sharing your story.

Do you have a poignant memory of taking the exam, studying for the exam or some other exam/license related nugget? Did something funny or upsetting happen while you were studying or taking a test? What helped you get through the process? I would love for you to contribute your story to the ARE Stories project. You can write your story. Length should be at least 500 words and no more than 800 words. Alternatively you can be interviewed by an editor for a story.We would love to hear from you.

Architecture Uncensored: The License Dilemma

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Last night, I had the pleasure of serving on a panel entitled “The License Dilemma” sponsored the by the Emerging Architects Committee of AIA DC.  Joining me was Adam Schwartz, AIA, a recently licensed architect and Associate at HGA Architects and Engineers and the Washington DC Licensing Advisor and Harry Falconer, Jr., AIA, Director of Experience + Education at NCARB.  Moderating the panel was Elizabeth Kinkel, Associate AIA of View Dynamic Glass. …

The panel started with an introductory discussion on Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL).  As listed on the NCARB website, IPAL provides students the opportunity to complete licensure requirements while earning their degrees. 
 

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However, the thrust of the discussion both from us as panelists and the audience, mostly emerging professionals, was on the value of licensure and how WE (the profession) could do more to ensure architectural graduates would pursue licensure.  Harry relayed statistics from NCARB by the Numbers that stated that the average age of an architect becoming licensed was 32 years of age.  With recent changes in IDP (soon to be AXP), the timeframe from graduation to licensure is decreasing.

Some of the discussion was on what architecture programs (schools) could do; as will be the case with IPAL, schools might provide or encourage students to gain experience during their formal education making them more valuable to firms upon graduation.  But also, many in the audience thought schools could provide more direct knowledge on practice.  However, I pointed out that our system of becoming an architect includes knowledge from education and knowledge from experience. 

Unfortunately, some firms are not equipped to “teach” their employees like a hospital might do with aspiring doctors.  For firms, it is a business proposition – my answer to firms is the “your people” are your most important asset.  One member of the audience specifically asked – what could WE do to help firms more value their staff as they work towards licensure; no one had an immediate answer.

Mr. Falconer furthered the conversation with the notion that an architectural should pursue licensure not for their current position, but for their next one.  Adam relayed the sense of accomplishment when he had achieved the title of architect.

Additional discussion centered on those architectural graduates that pursue an alternate path and not licensure.  We know that these individuals are NOT architects (in the legal sense), but are they are part of the profession.

Overall, the event was a success in terms of attendance, but more importantly in terms of conversation; attendees left with much to consider as each pursues licensure.  I am pleased to have been a part of the panel; I am sure this is not an exact summary, but it is a start.

Best.

Licensure, Certification, and Reciprocity

I am an Intern Architect finishing up my IDP Record.  I will be relocating to Chicago soon.  I currently live in FL. I  graduated with a pre-professional degree in architecture.  I learned that you need @9,000 something credits by Dec 31, 2013.  I already have 6823 credits earned already.

Q #1: Do I apply for Illinois via a separate applic or do I just only click on IL in NCARB website of record transmittal? 

Q #2: Once I am licensed in IL and completed all exams, can I apply for NCARB reciprocity to other states AFTER all this is done? (with pre-professional degree)

Q #3: In general, what are the positives and negatives in being licensed out of state while living in another state?

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You are asking specific questions concerning licensure; as I do not wish to misdirect you, I will suggest you contact NCARB and the Department of Professional Regulation for the state of Illinois.

NCARB | 1801 K Street, NW | Suite 700K | Washington, DC 20006 | P: 202/879-0520 | F: 202/783-0290

Illinois Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation
Division of Professional Regulation
320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786
217/524-3211
217/782-7645
fpr.prfgroup02@illinois.gov

#1) As I understand it, you may simply request your NCARB record be transmitted to the state of Illinois.  Be sure to review the following -- http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/idp.htm -- as a guide to licensure in Illinois.  Effective 1/1/2014, you will need a NAAB accredited degree to become licensed in Illinois.

#2) Yes, you do that through NCARB, but you need an accredited degree for NCARB Certification - http://www.ncarb.org/Certification-and-Reciprocity.aspx --

#3) Value of Certification - http://www.ncarb.org/Certification-and-Reciprocity/Value-of-an-NCARB-Certificate.aspx

I hope this is helpful.