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These thoughts are encouraged by National Council of Architectural Registration Boards‘ soon-to-come changes to the Intern Development Program. The following was spurred by yesterday’s thoughts. If you are thinking of becoming an architect, act early. Policies may change in the future.

Consider starting an NCARB Council Record as early as possible. Even earlier than you think. This way you can start verifying your work experience via your electronic-Experience Verification Report (e-EVR) as soon as possible. Making this decision entails researching your state board requirements. If they license architects with 10 years experience and you have a high school degree and are working full-time, then start a council record to document your experience. But if you go and get an accredited degree, is work prior to college accepted by your state board? Honestly, I don’t know and didn’t bother to look it up. The point I’m trying to make is that NCARB and state boards are not fully aligned yet. Satisfying one, may not satisfy the other.

I know. “Isn’t it supposed to?”, you’re asking. It is, and some of the recent October 2010 changes probably further align the two. But there are 50 state boards and 1 NCARB, I’ll leave it at that. Since I don’t work at NCARB nor within a state board, I can’t define the differences. But state boards may say you have to satisfy NCARB’s requirements first. So go ahead and do that! When your record is transferred to the state board it will get reviewed for acceptability. So consider starting a council record earlier, so you can document as much experience as possible.

I consider this opinion a bit controversial and risky. Find out as much as you can about the Intern Development Program at NCARB and decide if your current work environment qualifies. Even as a college student taking a year off, but working full-time, your experience might qualify for both NCARB’s IDP and your state board, or just IDP. Do some research and consider signing up for IDP earlier than you intend. It could help you qualify for your license earlier than you thought, or simply let you meet one requirement set (IDP) as you continue to meet another requirement set (state board).

Call NCARB or your state board with questions regarding documenting your experience and if it qualifies towards your license plans. The situations where a possible architectural registration exam (ARE) candidate should sign up to IDP aren’t always obvious. Asking the right questions to NCARB and your state board can help you determine if entering the Intern Development Program earlier than you intended is in your best interest. Good luck!

(This idea has been covered before. So this is sort of a repeat post. But because IDP changed in October 2010, perhaps there are new situations out there where people should take advantage of this short time window before the next group of IDP changes are made.)

Again, Good luck!

I always thought that the National Council of Architect Registration Boards’ (NCARB) naming of the Intern Development Program (IDP) should have included an A for Architect somewhere. Anyways this very important Intern Architect program is undergoing very significant category changes. They qualify as extensive and I strongly encourage you read up and make yourself aware of them here http://www.ncarb.org/~/media/Files/PDF/Direct-Connection/2010-2/IDP20TheFinalPhase.pdf (pdf).

Stop. Go back and click the above link. It is more important than the rest of this post. After you read the pdf, come back here to read what’s below.

Below are two positions in dealing with IDP. Whether you agree or not, review the coming IDP changes to understand how they affect your future. This way you can feel prepared and plan accordingly.

Maintain your records on a vigorous basis. Even more things could change. Not just with IDP rules, but the RA or PE who was about to sign off on your work verification could have a stroke. How would you feel going up to him/her in the hospital with your laptop and asking, “Could you please login and approve my last 6 months?” You don’t know what could change around you. Find some common ground communicating with your supervisor and submit employment verification requests much more frequently than every 6 months. This may mean staying 20 minutes after work to organize your past job categories, or pulling a few timesheets home to go over on the e-EVR interface. Take the time and effort to make the process easier for your supervisor to approve.

Do your best to plan where you categorize your work experience. This is important for two reasons. You need to use these guidelines as a balance for becoming a well rounded architect. You need to finish IDP. Most tasks are clear. But there might be some that are not. If something you’re doing can be categorized in two places, then place it where it benefits you. If you’re lucky and have a willing and supportive mentor (or supervisor), then go over your work duties with him/her. Consider where they belong. Review your work, review your IDP categories, and review your possible future.

These two suggestions encourage you to be aware and active in your Intern Development Program. Review the oncoming changes and know what they mean in your process of becoming an architect. Good luck.

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has extended the six-month rule deadline! NCARB has an official Twitter thread which reads “the deadline for the Six-Month Rule has been extended to Fri, July 2, 2010 at 6pm EDT“. Also check NCARB’s official website.

Use this opportunity! Submit.

The deadline is Friday, July 2, 6:00 pm EASTERN time! So for me on the east coast in New York that’s 6pm. For some of you on the west coast (pacific time) in California that’s Friday, July 2 at 3pm. Whatever you do, don’t wait to the last minute. Submit your outstanding experience that is older than 6 months.