Expert: Paul S. Brown, AIA - 4/7/2005

Question
Hi there Mr. Brown,
I have been wanting to take home designing courses at a local college for many years, but time is always an issue at hand.  Could I study professional home design in my own time without the use of college courses and still be able to take the Building Designer Certification?

Answer
Hi Matt:
I'm not sure what state you are in.  You should contact your state licensing board to get the rules from them for taking the professional registration exam to become licensed as an Architect.
When I started out, it was still possible to become a licensed Architect without having any college education: you could serve a 12 year apprenticeship in an Architect's office, and then be allowed to take the exam.  If you had two years of college, you could take the test after an 8 year apprenticeship.  With 4 years of college, a 4-year apprenticeship was required.
Today, I believe that all states require all candidates to have an accredited degree in Architecture.  (I could be wrong; please check with your state licensing board).
Personally, I feel that this is wrong.  My feeling is that anyone with a reasonable amount of work experience should be able to take the exam.  The exam should be a real test of a person's ability to practice safely; and if you can pass it, you should be allowed to do so.  It should not depend on how much money someone's parents have, so that they can go to college.  But; that's just my opinion.
Good luck; I hope things work out for you.
There is a school here in Boston:  THe Boston Architectural Center, which is fairly unique.  Every student works full time during the day; fees for study are kept fairly low, and everyone takes all of their classes in the evening.  It is a great school, but takes a lot of dedication to get through.