Path to Licensure
From school to your license.
Becoming a licensed architect takes an education, documented experience, and the Architect Registration Examination. NCARB runs the experience program and the exam. Your state board issues the license. ALA membership is open to you at every step.
What it takes
01
Education
Most states require a degree from a program accredited by NAAB. Some accept other education with added experience. Check your state before you plan around it.
02
Experience
The Architectural Experience Program (AXP) is the record of your supervised work. You report your hours to NCARB and your supervisor approves them.
03
Examination
The Architect Registration Examination (ARE) is given in divisions. You schedule and sit for each one through NCARB.
The ARE divisions
- Practice Management
- Project Management
- Programming & Analysis
- Project Planning & Design
- Project Development & Documentation
- Construction & Evaluation
Your State
Every state sets its own rules.
Licensing requirements differ from state to state. NCARB keeps a requirements tool for every jurisdiction. ALA's state pages link to each licensing board and show what you will need to keep the license current once you have it.
Membership on the Path
Free as a student, $75 your first year out, $115 as an Associate.
Membership runs a full year from the day you join. It includes CE and learning-unit tracking, the annual print issue of Licensed Architect, and member rates on every event.
YALA
Meet architects a few steps ahead of you.
YALA is ALA's community for students, new graduates, and early-career architects. Its events put you in the room with people who have already built careers in the profession.
When the license comes through. Professional membership is $280 a year and includes the full contract library. The CEU Tracker keeps a record for every state you are licensed in, and the contract documents are written for the work you will sign for.