Intern to Architect
Administrative Personnel in Design Firms

What’s the difference between “intern” “architectural intern” and “architect” ?

Only licensed architects can call themselves an architect. It is against state law to call or portray yourself as an architect if you are not licensed.

Let’s work our way backwards:

The goal is to become a licensed architect.

In the United States, each of the 50 states determines their own regulations that a person would have to follow in order to become licensed in that state. Typically, you would try to become licensed in the state you live in. So first, you figure out what your state requires.

No matter what, all states require that you take and pass the Architect’s Registration Exam, or the ARE.

To take the ARE, a person has to demonstrate two main things:

a. that they have earned a degree in architecture

b. that they have gained real life work experience by working for an architect

The career path from high school to registration basically follows this sequence:

1. Choose the right College or University – must be accredited by NAAB

2. Earn a professional degree, such as Bachelor of Architecture. 5 year program

3. Apply to NCARB to establish a record. Cost: $285

4. Complete the Intern Development Program administered by the NCARB. This means that you work at an architect’s office and get experience in all areas of the firm. NCARB has established minimum number of hours you work in 17 different categories, so you have to keep track of how many hours you work in each area. This usually takes at least three years. If NCARB has to keep up with your record more than three years, they charge $60 per year.

NCARB has forms for reporting the hours and it has to be signed by the licensed architect that the intern is working with. When NCARB agrees that you have met all their requirements, they send you confirmation that you have completed the requirements of the Intern Development Program.

5. Apply to take the ARE in your state. Cost: 7 tests at $170 each = $1,190

6. Pass the ARE administered by your state. The format and content of the exam changes from year to year but in all cases, it is very intensive. There are about eight different tests to take, some are multiple choice and some require drawings or sketches of some sort. Currently, the exams are held at testing centers, and you can choose which test you want to take and when you want to take it. It can take 6 weeks before you find out the results. If you don’t pass a test, you can re-take it about 6 months later (after they have had a chance to think up new questions).

The tests drain you mentally and financially. Studying for the test is not easy when you’ve been out of school a while and if you’re working full time. About 30% of the people who take it fail at least one section.

7. After you receive confirmation from your state that you have passed the ARE, you have to send paperwork (and money) to NCARB to verify the results.

8. Once your state receives that information, they issue you a number, which becomes your registration number. The $285 fee includes NCARB sending your record to one state.

9. Success! You have become licensed in your state! At long last, you can call yourself an architect.

10. Look for your annual license renewal form to show up within the next 12 months. You will be paying an annual fee from now on, plus, you will be keeping track of how many seminars you take every year to show that you are keeping up with the practice. This doesn’t require formal tracking like the IDP, but you do have to produce evidence if they audit you.

Links to places mentioned above

NAAB - National Architectural Accrediting Board

Establishes educational standards

http://www.naab.org/

http://www.naab.org/information1725/information.htm

NCARB – National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

Administers the IDP and the ARE

http://www.ncarb.org/

IDP – Intern Development Program

http://www.ncarb.org/IDP/index.html

ARE – Architects Registration Exam

http://www.ncarb.org/are/index.html