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Years of work, study go into becoming an architect
by Jennifer Kretschmer, AIA
Printed-San Jose Mercury, Nov. 3, 2007
Q: "My daughter, a high school student, wants to become an architect. What does it take to become one?"
A: When I first introduce myself to someone new and tell him or her that I’m an architect, I often hear, “I wanted to be an architect too, but I couldn’t draw.” Well, there are so many other skills necessary to become an architect that sometimes this question is hard to answer. For example, being a creative problem solver, an adept communicator, and a gracious listener are all traits exhibited by the most successful architects.
The profession of architecture requires education, internship, testing and licensure before you are allowed to call yourself an architect. Calling yourself an architect before you hold a license is actually a misdemeanor offense. Licensure is governed by each state and the requirements may be different from state to state.
Education: In California there is no specific requirement for education. However, many other states require an accredited degree. Your daughter should consider such a degree when she is looking at University architecture programs to attend. Depending on her degree choice she will spend a minimum of 5 years (Bachelor of Architecture) at the University level of study. The National Architectural Accrediting Board is the authority that accredits architectural education. Their website, www.naab.org can tell you what schools are currently accredited.
Internship: Before one can become and architect she must spend a minimum of three years as an intern at an architectural firm and she must be supervised by a licensed architect. In California this also requires participation in the Intern Development Program (IDP). Further information on IDP can be found at the website for the National Council of Architectural Registration (NCARB), www.ncarb.org.
Testing: The Architect Registration Exam (ARE) is the test to assess a candidate’s qualifications for architectural practice. This test is used across the United States and Canada. The test is actually nine separate tests and takes about 30 hours of time. Thankfully, your daughter will not have to take all of the tests at one time. Each test can be scheduled separately. Once your daughter completes this National test, California also requires an oral examination.
Licensure: Once all of the above criteria are fulfilled, your daughter will receive a license to practice architecture in the State that she resides. If she wants licensure in other States, reciprocity is determined separately by each state. If she had received an accredited degree, participated in IDP, and passed the ARE she should qualify to receive an NCARB certificate, which is the only Nationally, recognized validation for reciprocity.
by Jennifer Kretschmer, AIA
Printed-San Jose Mercury, Nov. 3, 2007
Q: "My daughter, a high school student, wants to become an architect. What does it take to become one?"
A: When I first introduce myself to someone new and tell him or her that I’m an architect, I often hear, “I wanted to be an architect too, but I couldn’t draw.” Well, there are so many other skills necessary to become an architect that sometimes this question is hard to answer. For example, being a creative problem solver, an adept communicator, and a gracious listener are all traits exhibited by the most successful architects.
The profession of architecture requires education, internship, testing and licensure before you are allowed to call yourself an architect. Calling yourself an architect before you hold a license is actually a misdemeanor offense. Licensure is governed by each state and the requirements may be different from state to state.
Education: In California there is no specific requirement for education. However, many other states require an accredited degree. Your daughter should consider such a degree when she is looking at University architecture programs to attend. Depending on her degree choice she will spend a minimum of 5 years (Bachelor of Architecture) at the University level of study. The National Architectural Accrediting Board is the authority that accredits architectural education. Their website, www.naab.org can tell you what schools are currently accredited.
Internship: Before one can become and architect she must spend a minimum of three years as an intern at an architectural firm and she must be supervised by a licensed architect. In California this also requires participation in the Intern Development Program (IDP). Further information on IDP can be found at the website for the National Council of Architectural Registration (NCARB), www.ncarb.org.
Testing: The Architect Registration Exam (ARE) is the test to assess a candidate’s qualifications for architectural practice. This test is used across the United States and Canada. The test is actually nine separate tests and takes about 30 hours of time. Thankfully, your daughter will not have to take all of the tests at one time. Each test can be scheduled separately. Once your daughter completes this National test, California also requires an oral examination.
Licensure: Once all of the above criteria are fulfilled, your daughter will receive a license to practice architecture in the State that she resides. If she wants licensure in other States, reciprocity is determined separately by each state. If she had received an accredited degree, participated in IDP, and passed the ARE she should qualify to receive an NCARB certificate, which is the only Nationally, recognized validation for reciprocity.