 Students and Interns
How Do I Become An Architect
Education
Earn a professional degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Most professional undergraduate degree programs are a minimum of five years and undergraduate/graduate programs are a minimum of six years. If you have earned an undergraduate degree from a non-accredited program or a non-architecture related undergraduate degree, a master of architecture degree from an accredited architecture program would be required. Each state has different educational requirements, so contact your state architectural licensing board for more information.
Internship
Training under the direct supervision of a registered architect is required to qualify for examination. During this training period (typically three years), you will enroll in the Intern Development Program (IDP). IDP fosters focused training in many aspects of the architectural profession and is required by most states for registration. You may enroll in IDP prior to the completion of your professional degree. Contact your state or educational IDP Coordinator for more details.
Registration
Upon completion of your internship, you must apply to your state architectural licensing board for admission to the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). After successfully passing all sections of the ARE, most states recognize this as the final requirement for receiving a license to practice architecture.
Certification
Upon receiving a license to practice architecture, most registered architects apply for an
NCARB certificate. National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
Certification automatically qualifies and architect to practice in most states, as well as other countries.
For more information about becoming and architect, visit ARCHITECTURE CAREERS, and arrange to visit with an architect at his/her office to ask questions and see the day-to-day operation of an architectural firm.
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