In another thread (Layoffs.... layoffs....) there was a discussion a few days back about the true meaning of the "6-Month Rule" as it applies to IDP under the newly published IDP Guidelines.
Some posters interpret this rule to mean that if you don't work for an employer for at least 6-months, then that work experience with that employer doesn't count toward your IDP requirement. For example, one poster wrote: "this "changing employment" is a bit unclear, but refers to "minimum duration" which I believe is 6 months"
Others felt this rule applies only to the period of time alloted for updating your IDP record.
Given the general confusion surrounding this question, out of curiosity I wrote NCARB for a clarification. I asked this question: "I can find nowhere else on your website the definition of "minimum duration" ... where would I go to obtain an answer to that question, please?"
The answer I received back was: "The employment duration requirements can be found on page 17 of the IDP Guidelines, under “Step 5: Document Your Experience.”
Step 5: Document Your Experience on Page 17 of the new IDP Guidelines reads:
To earn training units in most work settings, you must meet the following requirements*: FULL TIME: 32 hours per week for a minimum period of eight consecutive weeks PART TIME: At least 15 hours per week for a minimum period of eight consecutive weeks
For work experience to count toward IDP, the minimum duration of employment with a single employer would seem to be 8 consecutive weeks.
file - thanks for proactively going after the information and sharing here - thank goodness i am done with my IDP;
here is my question: why would someone's work experience not be credited for their internship because one were working for an office less than 8 consecutive weeks in an office, or less than a certain amount of hours a week, - what's the point? ( serious question - anyone knows the logic behind this?)
file, did they change the requirements. I know when I was getting my IDPs it used to be that you had to work at least 35 hours per week
for a minimum period of eight consecutive weeks, or work at least 20 hours per week for six or more consecutive months. I'm not sure where you got your information but I've been signing off on IDPs for years and this is what I thought it was and even the interns told me that.
NCARB published new guidelines last month (July) - they can be viewed, and downloaded, at the NCARB website.
I don't know the answers to all your questions. However, NCARB answered my question quickly and politely. Send them a note, or give them a call, if you need info.
I know for a fact that this used to not be the case because when I did IDP a few years ago I had attempted to count 3 months of experience working under a contractor who was also a licensed architect. they told me this didn't count because I had to work somewhere for a minimum of 6 months before being able to start reporting in 2 month increments. If this used to be the case, I could have gotten all of my CA experience out of the way instead of spending several years trying to fight for it. I would have finished IDP in about 3 years instead of 6.
however - if this is true - only 2 months of work at one place counts towards IDP - that is great news to students doing a summer internship or working part-time (for undergrads, it's after the 3rd year you can start counting, and I think it is at any time for grad students) - and for those who may be on short-term contracts due to the economy.
poop is right - it was 35hrs full time and 20 hours part-time up until this past July.
well, i am glad it's moving the right way - but still, i am really curious, so please let me apologize for repeating my earlier question: why would someone's work experience not be credited for their internship because one were working for an office less than 8 consecutive weeks, or less than a certain amount of hours a week, - what's the point? ( serious question - anyone knows the logic behind this?)
simples -- I would guess the answer to your question would revolve around the difficulty of gaining meaningful exposure to a project or a work activity if the period of time was very short. I expect NCARB had to draw the line somewhere ... they chose 8 weeks. Like everything in the world of architecture, I suppose that is an arguable decision. Still, it's much more practical than 6-months as a minimum period.
If you really want to know the answer, I suggest (again) that you pose the question directly to NCARB ... they'll know the logic better than anybody here.
Sep 1, 09 10:38 am ·
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IDP: 6-Month Rule
In another thread (Layoffs.... layoffs....) there was a discussion a few days back about the true meaning of the "6-Month Rule" as it applies to IDP under the newly published IDP Guidelines.
Some posters interpret this rule to mean that if you don't work for an employer for at least 6-months, then that work experience with that employer doesn't count toward your IDP requirement. For example, one poster wrote: "this "changing employment" is a bit unclear, but refers to "minimum duration" which I believe is 6 months"
Others felt this rule applies only to the period of time alloted for updating your IDP record.
Given the general confusion surrounding this question, out of curiosity I wrote NCARB for a clarification. I asked this question: "I can find nowhere else on your website the definition of "minimum duration" ... where would I go to obtain an answer to that question, please?"
The answer I received back was: "The employment duration requirements can be found on page 17 of the IDP Guidelines, under “Step 5: Document Your Experience.”
Step 5: Document Your Experience on Page 17 of the new IDP Guidelines reads:
To earn training units in most work settings, you must meet the following requirements*:
FULL TIME: 32 hours per week for a minimum period of eight consecutive weeks
PART TIME: At least 15 hours per week for a minimum period of eight consecutive weeks
For work experience to count toward IDP, the minimum duration of employment with a single employer would seem to be 8 consecutive weeks.
Hope this helps to clear up the confusion.
file - thanks for proactively going after the information and sharing here - thank goodness i am done with my IDP;
here is my question: why would someone's work experience not be credited for their internship because one were working for an office less than 8 consecutive weeks in an office, or less than a certain amount of hours a week, - what's the point? ( serious question - anyone knows the logic behind this?)
file, did they change the requirements. I know when I was getting my IDPs it used to be that you had to work at least 35 hours per week
for a minimum period of eight consecutive weeks, or work at least 20 hours per week for six or more consecutive months. I'm not sure where you got your information but I've been signing off on IDPs for years and this is what I thought it was and even the interns told me that.
damn, I'm mad now, because I should have signed off on more hrs for some. This is why I hate NCARB
NCARB published new guidelines last month (July) - they can be viewed, and downloaded, at the NCARB website.
I don't know the answers to all your questions. However, NCARB answered my question quickly and politely. Send them a note, or give them a call, if you need info.
Well it is up to the interns to do that. I'll just sign what they give me and hopefully it will not cause problems for them.
file - thanks for clearing this up a little...
I know for a fact that this used to not be the case because when I did IDP a few years ago I had attempted to count 3 months of experience working under a contractor who was also a licensed architect. they told me this didn't count because I had to work somewhere for a minimum of 6 months before being able to start reporting in 2 month increments. If this used to be the case, I could have gotten all of my CA experience out of the way instead of spending several years trying to fight for it. I would have finished IDP in about 3 years instead of 6.
however - if this is true - only 2 months of work at one place counts towards IDP - that is great news to students doing a summer internship or working part-time (for undergrads, it's after the 3rd year you can start counting, and I think it is at any time for grad students) - and for those who may be on short-term contracts due to the economy.
poop is right - it was 35hrs full time and 20 hours part-time up until this past July.
well, i am glad it's moving the right way - but still, i am really curious, so please let me apologize for repeating my earlier question: why would someone's work experience not be credited for their internship because one were working for an office less than 8 consecutive weeks, or less than a certain amount of hours a week, - what's the point? ( serious question - anyone knows the logic behind this?)
simples -- I would guess the answer to your question would revolve around the difficulty of gaining meaningful exposure to a project or a work activity if the period of time was very short. I expect NCARB had to draw the line somewhere ... they chose 8 weeks. Like everything in the world of architecture, I suppose that is an arguable decision. Still, it's much more practical than 6-months as a minimum period.
If you really want to know the answer, I suggest (again) that you pose the question directly to NCARB ... they'll know the logic better than anybody here.
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