by Ken Naylor, AIA, NCARB

Summary: For NCARB Board of Directors serving 2006–2007, the past year will definitely be remembered as the “Year of the Architecture Registration Exam Timing.” Discussion on this issue began more than 18 months ago and culminated in the successfully amended Resolution 07-8. This resolution, which passed by a vote of 43-9, provides candidates the opportunity to take the entire ARE prior to completion of the Intern Development Program (IDP). Previously discussed resolutions required as many as 250 IDP units to be earned prior to sitting for the ARE and potentially reserved as many as three divisions of the exam to be taken after completion of IDP.

Until now, NCARB has not established a position on the sequencing of the three requirements for licensure—NAAB accredited degree or equivalent, experience, and examination—although it recommended candidates:

1. Complete their education
2. Finish IDP
3. Then pass the ARE.

More than 40 of the 54 NCARB jurisdictions required this sequence for initial licensure. State licensing boards still control their licensing requirements, of course. However, NCARB Model Law will no longer contain any language alluding to a “sequencing requirement.” The ultimate decision for the timing of ARE delivery now rests in the hands of the jurisdiction licensing boards.

The ultimate decision for the timing of ARE delivery now rests in the hands of the jurisdiction licensing boards.

So, you might ask, “What’s the big deal?” To a recent graduate of a NAAB-accredited architecture program, this new policy may significantly reduce the previously “typical” timeline for licensing. To those of us managing a design company, this may make architecture practice a more appealing option to students exploring alternative career paths and provide us with the much-needed talent to staff our firms and perpetuate the profession.

IDP on deck
With ARE timing off of the agenda, NCARB, in partnership with the AIA, will now be focusing attention on IDP. Administered by NCARB, IDP links practicing professionals who serve as mentors and supervisors to aspiring interns who deserve a “practice experience” as rich and informative as their formal education. Currently, the actual experience of IDP is as varied as the individuals (and firms) who provide it; some good, some not quite so good. The objective is to enhance the IDP program so that the experience is even more focused on the skills one needs to practice architecture independently.

The Emerging Professionals Companion, developed by the AIA and NCARB, is a good step in the right direction. California has introduced its “Comprehensive Intern Development Program” as an “overlay” to IDP and is designed to evaluate work product as opposed to requiring seat time. NCARB and other member boards anxiously await the outcomes of the “CIDP.” Could this be a useful, future IDP model? Other possibilities for change may include supervisor training and possibly certification.

Improvements to IDP need to be focused, at least in part, on the professionals who most impact the quality of the experience: mentors and supervisors.

Improvements to IDP need to be focused, at least in part, on the professionals who most impact the quality of the experience: mentors and supervisors. It also seems evident that additional IDP information provided to students while still in accredited architecture programs will help avoid confusion and make the process smoother and more productive. Also, NCARB is exploring ways to encourage architecture students to register in IDP, with the hope that a more accurate understanding of the “experience process” will result in a more direct path to licensure.

Miles to go . . .
NCARB is beginning the process of automating the reporting/documentation component of IDP. Internet processing should streamline enrollment in IDP, ease the submission of subsequent experience documentation, reduce the timeline for approval, and, hopefully, make the overall experience more accommodating. Processing improvements will begin to be evident in the next several months.

Much has been accomplished—with much more still to do!

The upcoming year will be invigorating as we discuss other ways to improve the quality of the overall experience of acquiring a license to practice architecture. We also look forward to refreshing the Practice Analysis Survey—the survey of approximately 10,000 professionals is now concluded—and the opportunity to provide input into the NAAB accreditation process. Much has been accomplished, with much more still to do!