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!

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.

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.

Thank you for helping PPI exceed our goal of 100 Facebook fans.

Use Promo Code ARFB6 at http://www.ppi2pass.com/ to save 20% on all PPI ARE prep materials.
Don’t forget, Promo Codes can be used to enroll in Passing Zones which start next Tuesday, July 6th. Orders must be placed by June 29, 2010 (midnight, PDT). Promo Codes are not valid on iTunes

Well why should I disappoint? PPI is building their Facebook fan base and have offered a 20% discount promo code, if I can help get 100 people to become their fans. So let’s do that.

Visit http://www.facebook.com/PPI.ARE right now
and become a fan!

Help PPI reach 100 Facebook fans and get 20% Off PPI ARE review materials. The challenge is to get 100 people to join PPI ARE Prep on Facebook by Monday, June 28th. If we reach the goal, PPI will post a Promo Code here on Monday for 20% off all of their ARE exam prep materials.

So visit http://www.facebook.com/PPI.ARE and make yourself a fan! Let’s get that promo code posted! If you’re a Ballast user already, think of someone out there that doesn’t have their books yet. Let’s become fans and grab this promo code. A 20% promo is much better than what’s posted now.

If you follow me on twitter, you may have seen a couple of tweets about a Dremel. A device I have no need of, but I bought anyway. Well, I bought two. I’m giving one away to you, a reader. Leave a comment in this post to enter to win a Dremel Two-Speed Rotary Tool, model 200-1/21. When you comment be sure to leave a valid email that you check every 2 weeks or so. After I notify the winner, I’ll wait 2 weeks for a response.

Leave your email in the email field and I’ll see it. Leave your email in the email field, not in the comment field. This way I’ll see it and it won’t go public.

In January I’ll pick a winner by assigning a number to each email in order of the post and then I’ll pick a number out of a hat or use a website to choose a random number. 1 email means 1 entry. So two or more postings under 1 email will be considered one entry. I’ll let you know when entry is closed. I’ll probably close entry on Jan 15th, 2010.

Having said all that, the rules are subject to change. I encourage everyone from anywhere to enter. See the manufacturer’s product description here. I’ve restricted my shipping expenses on the package to $30. If it costs more than $30 to ship this package to your location, we’ll work out an alternative prize valued at $30.00 US. Dremel is not associated with this contest.

If you have questions, please post them in the comments. Good Luck!