How To Become Licensed

The states currently rapid pace of urbanization and buildings turning into art forms has given architecture a boost when it comes to studies. Universities and colleges all across the United States offer courses for the field of architecture that are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, or NAAB. In order to become licensed as an architect, this is a very important requirement to meet. The best course to becoming an architect is through a five-year Bachelor or Master of Architecture degree program. If at first you are unsure or hesitant of your career choice, go for a four-year bachelor’s degree and then after graduation move on to graduate school to earn a Masters Degree from their 2 to 3 year program.

To become registered and licensed, an architect first must go through an internship working for an accredited architectural firm where they are being supervised by architects who are licensed. This is to be followed by the comprehensive examinations. Remember every state has it’s own jurisdiction procedures. Some of these boards require a pre-professional degree in architecture or a bachelor’s in any other subject. Likewise, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards ,or NCARB, make their own criteria for admission to registration exams. So remember before you apply to a school or college, check on the number of accredited courses being offered by that school.

Also check for a degree program such as a program in historic preservation or architectural engineering with an accredited professional architecture degree program. Some of the coursework fit’s the standards of those that are accredited ,but exam time arrives and problems start to occur. Sometimes a school offers many different options towards a degree. For example, a five-year undergraduate degree for students who have just finished high school and a three-and-a-half year graduate degree for those who have already obtained a degree in another field.

A person who is interested in pursuing a career in architecture should first check out the statuses of the school before applying. New architecture schools cannot have NAAB accreditation until the first professional class graduates. If you still can’t make up your mind, the best route to take is Bachelor of Architecture program. This program allows for flexibility of the yearly components of 2+3, 1+4, 3+2, or 4+1. This leaves points that are logical to use if the person decides through the program they wish to leave. The student’s work is then transferred and very carefully reviewed before moving into the next phase, which could be another architecture program, institution, or an academic disciplines such as landscape architecture, industrial design, graphic design, etc.

If a student is then interested in further pursuing the career and getting specialization he can choose to do so. Degrees are available in design theory, health care facilities, preservation, interior design, solar design, and many more. One minor set back is that these studies are not NAAB accredited. This point however can be worked around and the architect can pursue a very enriched and fulfilling career.