Personally, unless you are a trust fund baby, the spouse of a high earner, or really and truly don't mind being grotesquely underpaid, I would stay away from architecture.  Being "excited by the word design" is just not enough.  In my opinion, the long term prospects for architects just don't look good.  The pay is poor (as I said), the legal liability is terrifying (although it is for engineers too), job security and stability is almost nonexistent (which gets increasingly important the older you get) and the slow growth of the US economy just doesn't bode well for the profession.

Whatever you do, pleas do yourself a huge favor and research the hell out of it before you spend two years of your life and God knows how much $$ chasing this will-o-the-wisp.  Just one person's opinion.

Before anything else, how far are you from becoming a licensed civil engineer?

I have not taken the FE yet, but I was planning on taking it early next year, since they are changing the process around. That's why I'm contemplating Architecture now, while I'm not entirely committed to Civil.

I know some guys that are licensed civil engineers and architects and they operate firms that practice in both areas.  Getting professionally licensed in both disciplines would probably increase your career options.  I also know people that did civil for undergrad and then basically abandoned engineering in favor of an MArch.  I think that is a less desirable route.  Beginning architects make way less initially than beginning engineers in my experience.

short answer...just a degree in civil engineering is not going to be an advantage in the workplace or job market. The degree speaks to your mathematical ability and possibly your technical skill, but that is about it.  You spent the time getting a BSCE from an accredited university, get your PE, then go back for your MArch if you are still interested.  It will also give you a chance to get your feet wet in the Civil field before jumping ship.  Also, think about getting into structural...cause if all you are doing right now is curb and gutter I totally understand the lack of interest.

Yes and no.

It is definitely a complimentary background and will make the M.Arch. easier, especially when it comes to structures and construction.  You might get some classes waived.  I think you should get your PE, since you've already worked.

It is an issue where the CE wants to be an architect just to be an architect.  I had two such alums in my class and, while academically competent, they didn't seem to enjoy design and did not do well at it.  One of them had some real hangups about being creative.  A woman in the program had taken him under her wing, as in mommying him, and one night in studio, he was pulling some hairs from his head, which he was losing anyway.  She said "Why don't you put a curve or a diagonal across this key element?"  He said "I can't do that.  I'm an engineer."  And he wasn't kidding, either.  I kept my disgust to myself.  So, if you can't cut loose, try new things (even if not too whacky), and have fun exploring design, then the CE background is not an advantage.

Bottom line:  the BSCE is a mixed bag as it applies to M.Arch.  Work on your portfolio and don't renege on your PE.  You can always go back or be valuable in an A/E setting. My 2 cents.

Definitely take the exam and get your PE license.  Stay working in engineering while you explore in depth your notion of moving into architecture.  Also, consider allied field like city planning, structural and architectural engineering, which are a natural extension of civil engineering background.  Bear in mind that engineers are held in much higher regard in the building industry than architects.  They are viewed as practical and smart (mathematics are intimidating to most people) whereas architects are viewed as little more than effete exterior decorators.

whereas architects are viewed as little more than effete exterior decorators.

Classic.  I first saw the word "effete" when I was 25.  I deduced what it meant by the context in the sentence and in the article.  In some cases, the shoe fits ... in a big way.

This was just a sidebar, OP.  Carry on ...

shoes? 

stilettos please