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To legally call yourself
an architect requires licensure in your state,
similar to the legal profession. A logical question
is why architects should be licensed. There
are many valid reasons.
Safeguarding the health,
safety, and welfare of the occupants of a building
or structure is the most compelling reason for
licensure. The architect must have detailed
knowledge of the fire-resistance of building
materials, how to plan safe exit routes, proper
ventilation, accessibility for the handicapped,
and many other items. Therefore, the plans of
all major structures (such as commercial buildings,
multi-family dwellings, hospitals, etc.) require
the stamp of a licensed architect
in order to obtain a building permit. The path
to licensure typically involves
education, work experience,
and examination.
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Education
Completion of
a First Professional Degree in Architecture
from an accredited college or university. There
are several paths to achieve this first professional
degree:
- Bachelor of Architecture BARCH (5
year undergraduate degree). This is the
quickest path to completion of the educational
requirement. Students undertake intensive
architectural curriculum from second year
on. Most California architectural programs
offer this track.
- BS or BA in Architecture
(4 year undergraduate degree) + Master
of Architecture MARCH (2 year graduate
degree). The undergraduate program typically
offers more flexibility than 5 year programs.
Students may choose the graduate program
of their choice. The University of California
Berkeley offers the 4 + 2 track.
- BS
or BA other than architecture (4 year undergraduate
degree) + Master of Architecture MARCH
(3 year graduate degree). Most graduate
schools in architecture offer this option
for non-architecture undergrad majors.
Work Experience
A minimum of 3 years of work experience under
the supervision of a licensed architect is required.
Persons who have completed a professional degree
but have not yet obtained licensure are typically
called either interns or architects-in-training.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has
long supported the Intern Development Program
(IDP) which encourages the architect-in-training
to document their experience and gain experience
in each of the principal phases of architectural
practice. Many individuals work in the architectural
profession for years without either taking or
passing the exam, and may be paid very well
depending on their experience and ability. However,
these individuals may not legally call themselves
architects or stamp and sign plans.
Examination
The administration of examinations
and granting of licenses is the function of
the state board, such as the California Board
of Architectural Examiners. The examination
consists of approximately 10 parts covering
all aspects of architecture, and is now administered
by computer. The architect in training may take
the test at any time after completion of the
first professional degree (you need not have
completed the work experience requirement).
Also, the intern may take the each part of the
exam separately if desired, and may retake failed
portions of the exam over as many times as necessary.
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