Archinect - News

Understanding the Role of an AXP Supervisor

2017-11-06T09:00:00-05:00

By: Holly Williams Leppo, AIA, NCIDQ-certified, LEED, AP

This post is brought to you by PPI

AXP candidates will work with a variety of professionals throughout the first few years of their architectural careers, but the most influential advisors will be their AXP Supervisor and AXP Mentor.

An AXP Supervisor is the person who is responsible for direct oversight of the candidate’s day-to-day work. In a smaller firm, this may be the principal architect and candidate’s employer; in a larger organization, it may be a licensed architect serving in a project or team manager role who is overseeing the candidate’s daily efforts. The AXP Supervisor must have the authority to assign tasks that will allow the candidate to obtain experience across the AXP practice areas. A Supervisor may only sign off on work that he or she has personally overseen. Therefore, candidates may have more than one AXP Supervisor during their training – for example, if they change jobs, or are assigned to different wo...

Understanding Your Role as an AXP Mentor

2017-10-23T09:00:00-04:00

By: Holly Williams Leppo, AIA, NCIDQ-certified, LEED, AP

This post is brought to you by PPI

At the heart of NCARB’s Architectural Experience Program (AXP) is the master/apprentice relationship that has always been an integral part of architectural education. AXP candidates are required to work under the tutelage of an AXP Supervisor - an experienced practitioner who is directly responsible for the young professional’s work. But AXP also advocates that candidates build more informal relationships within the greater architectural community by suggesting that candidates select an AXP Mentor.

The AXP Mentor’s primary responsibility is to advise the young professional in a thoughtful, impartial way. This person acts as a sounding board for questions, concerns, and frustrations, and provides guidance as the candidate navigates the first few years of employment and the AXP. Successful mentors are willing to devote a few hours a month to having coffee or lunch with their mentee, are ope...

Your ARE license can take you around the world

2017-06-29T12:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

Congrats! You've completed your experience program, passed every division, and received your architecture license. Achieving this career milestone is no easy task. You might be asking yourself just how far your architecture license can take you. If practicing in other states and even other countries interests you, NCARB has programs such as reciprocity and the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) that can take you beyond your home jurisdiction.

Reciprocity is a state-traveling architect's most valuable resource. NCARB instituted reciprocity into the post-license career path as a way to transfer your stamp from one jurisdiction to another. NCARB aims to expedite this process through what’s known as a certificate. To become certified, an Architect needs to submit an application that is used to verify education, experience, and licensure. Once certified you will have a direct path to use your license across 54 U.S. jurisdictions and 11 Canadian juri...

17 Architecture Schools now offer a faster track to becoming an architect

2017-06-21T09:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

Seventeen US architecture schools now offer their students a faster track to becoming an architect; NCARB’s Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL). Students in IPAL programs will document the same number of hours of work experience, pass the same exams, and earn the same architecture degree as their non-accelerated counterparts – but they will have the opportunity to accomplish all of this before they graduate from college.

California leads the way, with three participating institutions (New School of Architecture and Design, University of Southern California and Woodbury University), but IPAL is making an impact in architecture schools from coast to coast, and NCARB has pledged to work with state licensing boards to increase the number of jurisdictions which will accept this alternative to the traditional sequence of school, then work, then testing.

Typically, architectural training begins with graduation from a professional degree...

Getting it Done: Tips to Shorten Your Time to Licensure

2017-04-05T09:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

The road towards licensure is exciting, humbling, and full of unexpected surprises. However, as daunting as the task may seem, there are ways to shorten the duration and ease stress as you go from wide-eyed architecture student to stamp-carrying architect. Follow these tips to get ahead of the pack and shorten your time to licensure.

1. Know the Basics

Learn what lies ahead. The maze of educational and experiential requirements you must navigate before becoming a licensed architect is long and complex. Know these requirements like you know your shoe size. Then plan accordingly.

Education requirements vary depending on where you acquire your degree. If you’re at all confused about whether or not your degree path sets you up for early licensure, refer to this resource from NCARB. Consider how long it will take to receive an accredited degree before settling on an institution to complete your architecture education.

Also, there are ways to start earning ...

Three Reasons Why You Need to Get Your Architecture License

2017-03-14T09:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

Here are the top three reasons licensure matters and why you shouldn't delay the process.

1. Let's face it, money is pretty important!

Licensure allows you to position yourself for career advancement and income generation. On average, licensed architects have a higher earning potential than unlicensed architects. More than half of architecture firms offer higher salaries to licensed architects (AIA 2015 compensation report).

2. Move from doer to leader

Why wait for the future to define you when you can take control of your own future? In many states, only licensed architects can design buildings over three stories or commercial buildings. As a licensed architect, you'll be able to choose the type of projects you work on and firms that you join. You will be able to sign-off on projects, supervise teams, and start your own firms.

3. Claim the title of an architect

It may be a surprise to many people, but without licensure, you cannot claim the title of ar...

Why We’re Thankful for Licensed Architects

2016-11-21T09:00:00-05:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

Being able to call yourself an architect is just one perk of becoming licensed. After hours of studying, practicing, and testing, licensed architects can confidently take on unique design projects with knowledge and experience to back up their choices. This is why their clients trust them with important decisions, and why we are thankful every day for their expertise. Here are a few reasons we are thankful for licensed architects.

1. They make choices you can trust.

High-level knowledge of design practices and how to best avoid errors only comes with practice and studying, two things with which every licensed architect is intimately familiar. After participating in Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE), involving hours of studying, testing, and practicing in the field, licensed architects are equipped for success. Architects utilize their arsenal of knowledge to inform the decisions they make...

Upcoming Architect Registration Exam® (ARE®) Change

2016-03-15T09:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

As an aspiring architect, you are required to pass the ARE for initial licensure in all U.S. jurisdictions.

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) have just released new information regarding their upcoming release of ARE version 5.0.

There will be six divisions, compared to seven in ARE 4.0. As a result, an aspiring architect can expect to spend up to eight hours fewer completing ARE 5.0 divisions.

Though the exam will continue to use multiple-choice, check-all-that-apply, and quantitative fill-in-the-blank question formats, it will replace ARE 4.0 vignettes with new problem types, including:

Case Studies
Hot Spots
Drag-and-Place

Each division will include at least 80 questions, along with one to two case studies.

ARE 5.0 Timing and Planning Tools

NCARB will begin the final stages of ARE 5.0 exam development this spring, which will determine the official launch date of ARE 5.0 in late 2016.

If you have already started ARE 4.0, th...

ARE 5.0 Is Coming—Why Start Studying Now?

2016-01-11T08:00:00-05:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

In 2016, NCARB announced a change to the ARE exam format. The goal is to align the ARE with current practice management, project management, and project design activities in the architecture profession.

The new exam will be launched late 2016, but you have will until June 2018 to pass the ARE 4.0 divisions. Now is a great time to plan and start studying so that you can pass all seven divisions before the exam changes. You can still find study tips from architects who have already taken and passed the ARE. Click here to download a side-by-side chart showing topics covered by the seven ARE 4.0 divisions.

You can visit the NCARB web page to learn more about the upcoming transition to ARE 5.0.

Studying for ARE 4.0

There are no requirements from NCARB regarding the order in which examinees should take the seven divisions. Examinees often choose to assess division subject matter and schedule the exams in order from easiest to most difficult (as ranked by t...

Becoming an Architect

2015-09-28T10:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

A 2014 Survey of Architectural Registration Boards reported the highest number of aspiring architects to date. More than 37,000 aspiring architects were testing and/or reporting hours. The 3,543 candidates who completed the Intern Development Program (IDP) are ready to start taking the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®). Last year, 3,719 exam candidates completed the ARE, which was the highest number of completions for all sections since 2008.

Worried About the ARE?

PPI publishes a comprehensive exam review series for the ARE, authored by David Kent Ballast, FAIA. Click here to learn more about this best-selling author and how his books can help you prepare to pass your exam. PPI is committed to helping architects and engineers pass their licensing exams. Visit ppi2pass.com to learn how you can get started today.

In 2016, the ARE exam format is changing to align the ARE with current practice management, project management, and project design ...

IDP Change: Effective July 1, 2015

2015-06-22T11:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

If you would like to become a licensed architect one day, you will need to fulfill your state’s experience requirements for Architect Registration Exam® (ARE) qualification. Each state requires work experience under the direct supervision of a registered architect for a specific period of time prior to registration for the exam.

Most states have adopted the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Intern Development Program (IDP) as the experience requirement for exam registration. IDP guides interns and is the standard means of completing the requirement in almost all U.S. jurisdictions.

On July 1, 2015, NCARB will streamline the IDP by no longer requiring elective hours.
Click here to visit your State Board website to learn more about its particular requirements.

Professional Publications, Inc. (PPI) publishes a comprehensive exam review series for the ARE, authored by David Kent Ballast, FAIA. Click here to learn more about thi...

The Seven Non-Deadly Architect Registration Exam (ARE) Divisions

2015-03-23T11:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

The Architect Registration Examination (ARE) is a professional licensure examination. It has been adopted by all 50 United States as well as the U.S. territories. The ARE is administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) to help protect public health, safety, and welfare in various aspects of architecture. Currently, the ARE is made up of seven exam divisions.

To call yourself an architect, you need a degree in architecture, validated work experience, and you need to pass all seven ARE divisions.

What Does This Mean to You?

It may mean that though you studied architecture, and are currently working in the field of architecture, you’re working as a designer—not an architect.

If you’re interested in furthering your career as an architect, here are four steps that will help you get started:

understand your state board’s eligibility requirements (click here)
research the ARE divisions and determine the best order for you ...

Architecting Your Career: It’s Time to Pursue Licensure

2014-11-14T17:16:00-05:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

Just as a doctor, lawyer, dentist or engineer require licensure to protect public health, safety, and welfare—architects must also be licensed. A significant part of becoming licensed is taking and passing the Architecture Registration Exam® (ARE).

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) administers the ARE. NCARB is an organization that regulates the practice of architecture through the development and application of standards for architect licensure. Its members represent architectural registration boards across the United States and U.S. territories.

Why Become Licensed?

You can go to college, graduate, and earn a degree in architecture, but the road to becoming an architect doesn’t stop there.

Benefits of Becoming Licensed

Without the license, you aren’t a legally sanctioned architect. You are not legally allowed to call yourself an architect until you are licensed.
With a license, you have the legal right to sign, seal or stam...