by Jason Pettigrew, Assoc. AIA
Mainstream Director, National Associates Committee

Three points addressed in the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) annual meeting last year, and recently highlighted in its Direct Connection newsletter, specifically address the Intern Development Program (IDP) and "intern architect" issues:
• IDP training units for earning a postprofessional degree in architecture were reduced from 235 to 117, effective July 1, 2002. As stated in the resolution, "Your credit hours must be in subjects evaluated by NCARB as directly related to architecture."
• An IDP candidate need no longer be an "employee" to earn training units. A board statement of support reads, "NCARB will fully credit the training of interns who are not common-law employees, provided their work is supervised." This change recognizes the increased use of contract employee arrangements in the offices of architects.
• The value of community service was recognized in new IDP language that allows up to 10 training units to be earned for such service, "whether or not the intern is then employed in work related to building design or construction, and whether or not the intern's community service is under the supervision of a person engaged in building design or construction."

The first two points reflect the diversity of IDP participants. These modifications make the process move more smoothly and help make the profession more inclusive.

As to the third point, I have seen colleagues scramble to earn training units in the community service area. I would like to share that these 10 training units have come easily for me and others through involvement in the AIA, both nationally and regionally.

We had a strong voice of intern architects at the Grassroots conference, serving and participating as "volunteers."

The AIA offers incredible means to get involved and fulfill IDP training units. But that's not a plug specifically for the AIA as much as it is for the profession in general. It's easy to rack up hours in the Construction Documents section. But looking beyond your firm and your projects to larger issues-and other ways to get involved-is the way to truly improve the field of architecture.

Copyright 2001 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.