A few weeks ago I wrote a quick analysis of my thoughts about California’s Architecture Exam requirements. I’m happy to report that I passed the exam, and in a few short weeks will be a licensed architect. Notice the extra delay in the process – another 6-8 weeks is required to get everything else in order. In case you’re counting, these are the steps I’ve taken:
- 4 years at UC Berkeley, majoring in Architecture (The non-professional degree).
- Completion of the Intern Development Program, where I documented about 3 years of work experience at various firms.
- California IDP, nearly the same thing as above.
- Completion of 9 ARE exams, in theory covering the entire scope of architecture.
- Waiting until the years of experience were finally logged correctly at NCARB, and then forwarded to the California Architects Board.
- After acknowledging my experience, waiting until an open exam date. Passing the California Supplemental Exam, waiting for the results, paying another $200, then waiting 6-8 weeks for confirmation.
There has to be some time in there that we can shave a little time off. Granted, I’m about as young as you can be to actually qualify, and I have California’s rules to thank for that. CA doesn’t require the professional degree, as most other states do. Instead of spending another 2 years in graduate school, I was able to work in many different facets. In my view, this experience was much more helpful than any amount of schooling would ever be.
California is unique in this sense. We require less schooling, but have a much more difficult exam process (and the CIDP, which is at least well-intentioned). I am now eligible for reciprocity with other states, and I got to skip some of their more burdensome requirements. Each state has exceptions for designers with many years of experience, but is this “no-school” loophole a good thing or not?
As I mentioned before, I’ve learned much more through working that through school. Of course my education opened doors for me, but in terms of real live architecture and workplace skills, there is no comparison. Maybe I’ve just been lucky in my circuitous employment. I have worked for contractors as a framer, for purely development driven clients, and for engineering firms. But I still think I passed the last exam only because of a summer internship during college, where I learned all about the bidding process in public buildings. It’s the things you pick up along the way, with your first-hand knowledge that really shine when you need it.
California’s method of skipping an extra year or two of schooling may result in less design-y buildings, we will be guaranteed to have smarter architects.
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ben on 12.14.2009
‘smarter’ architects that can’t design?