Archinect - Features

How Architectural Licensure Helps and Hurts the Profession

2024-09-21T08:00:00-04:00

Our Archinect In-Depth: Licensure series concludes with a look back on a four-month journey through the U.S. architectural licensure system. Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities in the current system highlighted by readers and commentators, we offer final thoughts on how licensure helps and hurts the architectural profession.

Six Views on the Future of Architectural Licensure

2024-09-09T08:45:00-04:00

Throughout the Archinect In-Depth: Licensure series, our explorations into U.S. architectural licensure have included a variety of views beyond our editorial team, including ten views on licensure from Archinect readers shared at the midpoint of our series.

Beyond reader insights, our series has heard from individuals who, whether through their research, experiences, or roles in relevant organizations, have developed strong views on how U.S. licensure stands today and how it could evolve in the future.

Below, we set out six such viewpoints from voices already featured in our series, painting a variety of possible futures for architectural licensure that range from strategic evolution through radical reframing and reorganization.

When California Tried to Abolish Architectural Licensure

2024-08-16T12:48:00-04:00

Throughout the 20th century, every state and territory across the U.S. passed laws establishing a requirement to license architects. Since then, no jurisdiction has successfully repealed such a requirement. In the late 1970s, however, California almost became a notable exception.

The story of how California nearly abolished architectural licensure, a multi-decade saga led by some of the most prominent leaders across the political aisle, holds lessons and reflections for the profession of today, including its members and representative bodies. In this latest edition of Archinect In-Depth: Licensure, we retell the story with insights from those involved at the time.

How ‘Architect’ Became a Protected Title in the United States

2024-05-21T12:29:00-04:00

In the second part of Archinect In-Depth: Licensure, we chart the origins of licensure in the United States. We explore how a combination of safety concerns, technological advances, and insecurity among architects over their own relevance led to the protection of the title 'architect,' legislation which remains in force in every jurisdiction of the United States today.

Let's Talk About Architectural Licensure

2024-05-14T14:51:00-04:00

Welcome to Archinect In-Depth: Licensure. Over the coming weeks, Archinect will explore the journey undertaken by those in the United States seeking to practice as a licensed architect, including reflections on the history of licensure, comparisons to other countries, the cost and length of time taken to complete licensure, demographic inequalities within the process, and a series of possible futures.

Architectural Licensure at a Crossroads: An Interview with NCARB President Robert M. Calvani and President-Elect Alfred Vidaurri

2020-08-05T13:07:00-04:00

With growing criticism over how lengthy, expensive, and exclusive getting licensed can be, and a rising cohort of unlicensed practicing designers reshaping what it means to work in architecture, architectural licensure finds itself in a moment of relative crisis. Will the long-standing arrangement of education, apprenticeship, and rigorous examination continue or will new titles and firm structures usher in a post-licensure era?

To add to the conversation surrounding these licensure issues, Archinect recently connected with Robert M. Calvani, FAIA, NCARB and Alfred Vidaurri Jr., FAIA, NCARB, AICP, the 2020 President and 2021 President-Elect, respectively, of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, the independent organization that coordinates and supports licensure in the United States.

Archinect caught up with Calvani and Vidaurri to discuss their plans for the next two years, how NCARB is aiming to support diversity initiatives, and how the profession might mov...

The ARE Anxiety Phenomenon

2019-10-14T12:00:00-04:00

The Architectural Registration Exam is the gateway to licensure for thousands of aspiring architects across the country. Six divisions, hours of studying, years of schooling, and practice. It's an undertaking both exhilarating and debilitating, but at the same time, in its achievement, rewarding. For many candidates, however, preparation and study aren't the hurdle, but instead, it's the inescapable emotional obstacles that hold us back: the anxieties, distractions, and uncertainties surrounding the exam. We think of failing and try to fight off the fear that follows. "Everyone will think I don't have what it takes. I'll look like a fool," we might imagine. Why do things like this, and so many others cripple us? And how can we think about it in a new way?

The lazy architect's guide to completing continuing education credits

2016-09-23T11:59:00-04:00

What are continuing education credits, and why are they necessary? More importantly, what’s the easiest way of completing them? For your convenience, we've put together an overview of the AIA's Continuing Education System, and seven simple solutions for getting through it.