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Sustainable Design Becomes a Mandatory Continuing Education Requirement for AIA Membership in 2009
Summary: Beginning January 1, 2009, 4 of the total 18 AIA CES Learning Units (LUs) required in a given calendar year must focus on sustainable design in a way that meets the established guidelines for sustainable design mandatory continuing education (MCE). The AIA Board of Directors voted to modify the continuing education requirements to demonstrate the Institute’s commitment to sustainable design. The sustainable design requirement goes into effect in calendar year 2009 and extends through 2012. The sustainable design MCE does not replace the original requirement for 18 total hours, 8 of which must be in Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) subjects. (As HSW is a subset of total Learning Units, sustainable design may be a subset of the HSW learning units.)
This sustainable design MCE requirement is for AIA membership renewal. However, some states may develop their own special continuing education requirements in addition to HSW. For instance, the State of California will have disability access requirements beginning in 2009. To verify a specific state’s MCE requirement, contact your state licensing board directly.
All courses by AIA/CES Registered Providers will be identified as
qualifying for sustainable design credit, much like those courses
and programs that qualify for HSW learning units. The AIA/CES program
will have reviewed and approved these courses for sustainable design
learning units.
The Back Story: Why Do We Now Need Sustainability CEUs?
Sustainability is one of the
AIA’s four strategic initiatives: Sustainability has earned
a sharper focus in architecture practice over the last three decades,
since the oil crisis in the 1970s re-heightened awareness of how
we use resources in creating the built environment. The AIA has responded
by providing resources and tools to help its members better serve
their clients and communities through design of environmentally responsible
projects.
Recently, awareness of climate change and the impact of buildings
on carbon emissions has created a new expectation among clients and
the public, and they are looking to architects for expertise and
solutions that can help them leave a greener footprint—and
help their bottom lines. As social, political, and economic factors
drive the market toward mainstreaming sustainability, AIA architects
who educate themselves in sustainable design will have a market advantage,
as well as the privilege of providing ever greater service to clients
and community.
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