Section 308-12-025. What qualifications do I need to meet if I am not already licensed?

If you are not licensed in another jurisdiction, your combination of education and experience will determine what you need to do to get your license (see the chart below).

If you have an accredited architectural degree, you need to complete IDP and the ARE. If you choose, you can take the exams while you are completing IDP. NCARB will register and guide you through both IDP and the ARE. The board also requires a review of Washington's laws and rules relating to the practice of architecture.

If you do not have an accredited architectural degree, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least nine years' practical architectural work experience.

(1) You must have at least six years of practical architectural work experience before enrolling in IDP.

(a) At least three of these years must be under the direct supervision of a licensed architect.

(b) The remaining three years can be any combination of the following as approved by the board:

(i) Postsecondary education courses in architecture, architectural technology or a related field.

(A) Related fields may include the following:

(I) Environmental design;

(II) Urban planning;

(III) Landscape architecture;

(IV) Construction management;

(V) Civil engineering;

(VI) Naval architecture;

(VII) Interior architecture;

(VIII) Other fields as determined by the board.

(B) With a passing grade, thirty semester credit hours or forty-five quarter hours are considered to be one year. Any fraction, one-half year or greater, will be counted one-half year, and less than one-half year will not be counted.

(ii) Practical architectural work experience may be accrued simultaneously while educational credit is being accrued and will receive credit if it is as follows:

(A) At least thirty-five hours per week for at least ten consecutive weeks - One hundred percent.

(B) At least twenty hours per week for at least six continuous months - Fifty percent.

(2) After you complete IDP, apply to the board to take the ARE. When your application is approved, board staff will register you to take the ARE. You will pay the fees for examination and reexamination directly to NCARB.

(3) The board also requires a review of Washington's laws and rules relating to the practice of architecture.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.08.340 and 43.24.086. WSR 11-11-019, § 308-12-025, filed 5/9/11, effective 7/1/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.96.060. WSR 07-05-040, § 308-12-025, filed 2/15/07, effective 3/18/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.08.340. WSR 98-20-061, § 308-12-025, filed 10/2/98, effective 11/2/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.08.350(2). WSR 97-03-121, § 308-12-025, filed 1/21/97, effective 2/21/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.08.340. WSR 95-04-080, § 308-12-025, filed 1/31/95, effective 3/3/95. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.08.360. WSR 89-17-038 (Order PM 857), § 308-12-025, filed 8/10/89, effective 9/10/89. Statutory Authority: 1985 c 37 § 5. WSR 85-21-065 (Order PL 560), § 308-12-025, filed 10/17/85.]

RCW 18.08.340 and 43.24.086. WSR 11-11-019, § 308-12-025, filed 5/9/11, effective 7/1/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.96.060. WSR 07-05-040, § 308-12-025, filed 2/15/07, effective 3/18/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.08.340. WSR 98-20-061, § 308-12-025, filed 10/2/98, effective 11/2/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.08.350(2). WSR 97-03-121, § 308-12-025, filed 1/21/97, effective 2/21/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.08.340. WSR 95-04-080, § 308-12-025, filed 1/31/95, effective 3/3/95. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.08.360. WSR 89-17-038 (Order PM 857), § 308-12-025, filed 8/10/89, effective 9/10/89. Statutory Authority: 1985 c 37 § 5. WSR 85-21-065 (Order PL 560), § 308-12-025, filed 10/17/85.