(source: NCARB and the 2004-2005 BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook)

All States, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories (Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) require individuals to be licensed (registered) before they may call themselves architects or contract to provide architectural services. Many architecture school graduates work in the field even though they are not licensed or while they are in the process of becoming licensed.

A licensed architect is required to take legal responsibility for all work. Licensure requirements usually include

• a professional degree in architecture
• a period of practical training or internship
• and passage of all divisions of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).

Not All Degrees Are Created Equally
The education requirement can vary from state to state. In order to be licensed in many jurisdictions, an applicant must hold a degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Other states do not require a degree from an NAAB-accredited program.

There are several types of professional degrees in architecture. Pre-professional undergraduate degree programs in architecture are not NAAB-accredited.

• A five-year Bachelor of Architecture program is intended for students entering from high school or who have no previous architecture training.
• A two-year Master of Architecture program has been developed for students who hold pre-professional undergraduate degrees in architecture or a related area (engineering, landscape architecture, etc.).
• Three- or four-year Master of Architecture programs have been developed for students with a degree in another discipline.

Other combinations of the above degree programs exist, as well.

Training Is Required Too!
All architectural registration boards require a training period before candidates may become licensed. Many jurisdictions have adopted the training requirements from the Intern Development Program (IDP), administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. These requirements stipulate broad and diversified training in identified areas of architectural practice.

Next Stop: Architect Registration Examination
After completing the internship period, interns are eligible to sit for the Architect Registration Examination, otherwise known as the ARE. (A few states allow entry to the ARE before completion of IDP.) The examination assesses candidates on a broad body of practice-acquired architectural knowledge divided into nine divisions. Candidates may take the ARE throughout the year. Those who pass the nine divisions and meet all other standards established by their registration board are licensed to practice in that jurisdiction.

Don't Forget About Continuing Education
Twenty-two jurisdictions require continuing education to maintain licensure, and many more are expected to adopt mandatory continuing education. Requirements vary but usually involve the completion of a certain number of hours every year or two through seminars, workshops, formal university classes, conferences, self-study courses, or other sources.