So many times when you see someone’s email signature, business card (if they still use one), LinkedIn profile, or other identifying monikers there is possibly a series of letters or abbreviations at the end of their name.
One of the most common confusions I hear about the profession of architecture is the difference between an “architect” and an “architectural designer”. It usually depends on the usage of the terms, but the most likely distinction would be that an Architect has passed the registration exam. A very rigorous exam administered by the NCARB. This test is not one that measures a person’s design skills. It tests critical and technical knowledge related to the practice of architecture in a much broader and all-encompassing sense. The description most often used is that the ARE (Architectural Registration Exam) tests a candidate’s knowledge to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of buildings, their inhabitants and the built environment.
An individual becomes licensed or registered by talking a series of exams and passing them all. Prior to even being allowed to take these examinations, they must also complete a required number of hours of work in specific areas of practice. This is now termed “AXP”. It was previously called “IDP” or even earlier just simply “internship”. For example, you might be required to spend 300 hours working on construction documents in an architectural office under the supervision of a licensed architect. There is a laundry list of these areas and they must be fulfilled before NCARB will allow a person to be qualified to take the exams.
The ARE is not the same in every state. Some states have an additional section for testing related to their context. (Florida for hurricanes, California for earthquakes) Also, the requirements to be “qualified” to take this exam are actually different in every state. Some states require certain education levels, some require different work experience, and so forth. This has been becoming more homogenized over the past decade or so, but there are still some states that have fewer requirements to qualify for the exams. The ARE is administered by NCARB and they constantly, albeit slowly, evolve the exam. At one point, there were 9 different division tests, then 7, then 5 and now there are 6 divisions. Within these divisions, there are several sections of tests. The division exams are anywhere from 2 to 5 hours long. I could go on for several more pages, but to get to the point, it is a big deal. It is the equivalent to the Bar Examination for the legal profession. The passing rates for the exam are fairly low. (most sections in the 40% range) So to pass this test, you are required to be very knowledgeable about much more than just architectural design. I would wager that most individuals who have passed this test would never call themselves an ‘”architectural designer”. They have worked hard to achieve the title of “Architect”.
Someone licensed in the profession of architecture may have several post-nominals to their name:
AIA – This is a registered/ licensed architect who is a member of the professional organization American Institute of Architects. This is the largest professional organization for the architectural profession. (about 90K members) The AIA requires some actions by the member to maintain membership. For example, they require a certain number of continuing education hours to be completed every year.
FAIA – This is a person who has achieved a certain level in their career and has been awarded the status of “Fellow” by peers within the organizations. So the F stands for Fellow and it is an honor.
SARA – (Society of American Registered Architects, SARA) This is a much smaller organization for registered architects. It is similar to the AIA in is nature but desires to set itself apart from the AIA. It currently only is active in 6 US states.
NCARB – This individual is accredited by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board. They have met certain requirements, passed the exam and maintain their accreditation with NCARB. This typically makes it easier to get licensed in multiple states. This one can have some heated opinions associated with its policies and status maintenance.
RA – This is a registered/licensed architect. RA= Registered Architect. They have passed the exam but are not a member of any organization. Same qualifications as any of the others on this list, they just choose not to join any professional organizations. This has both positive and negative connotations in my opinion.
So those are all the letters that can be attributed to a person in the architectural profession. There are, of course, many others that are possible, but I just wanted to hit the high points. Some others are PMP, LEED, and IIDA, just to name a few.
Now an “architectural designer” may have the exact same education, training, etc. as any of the above architects. But this person has not taken or passed the registration exam. They cannot provide a set of “sealed” documents that are likely required by many municipalities to get a building permit for a construction project. They may have been in the architecture profession for many, many years or just started in the profession and have a degree in design; but they may not. This person may work in an architecture office and just not seal any of the documents. They could work in a construction company and create smaller projects that do not require a licensed architect. Lastly, they could design residential projects only as most locations do not require a licensed architect for residential projects. The use of the terms architect and architecture are usually well governed by law, but depending on your location, the term “architectural designer” may be acceptable to describe someone with little to no architecture education. So the issue can become difficult to define.
But all of this is not to say that an “architectural designer” is not capable of doing a job as well as an “architect” but simply that the designer has not had to meet the specific set of qualifications and education to hold the title of “architect”. Depending on your needs, both of these can provide you with services. Only one can provide a level of certification and “authority” to document a project; that is the licensed architect. I, being a registered architect, would prefer someone to select an “architect” for all their project needs.
There is much debate among some of my friends and colleagues about this issue on various levels. One of the larger points that seems to come up most often in my circle is the idea that working in some larger firms or in some instances, there is no need for someone to become registered due to the fact that they will never be required to “seal” a set of documents because there are only one or two persons in the office that sign everything. While I can understand this logic, it is only to a certain extent. I have always felt that passing the exams and becoming a registered architect was the goal and culmination of my educational path.
So in the end … it is always about the letters. Those little abbreviations and initials that tell someone what you are, what you know, and possibly what is important to you as a professional.
Until next time…
